The UK government is taking quick action to eliminate halogen and fluorescent lightbulbs due to worries about the CO2 they produce and the mercury content in fluorescent bulbs causing pollution.
Starting from September 2023, there will be a ban on the sale of most fluorescent lighting options, including the tubes commonly used by businesses.
The only exceptions to the rule are lamps that are specifically designed for use as scene or stage lighting in film, TV, photography, theatre, entertainment venues, or events. The removal of these types of bulbs is predicted to cut CO2 emissions by the same amount as if 500,000 combustion engine vehicles were taken off the road.
The UK government has implemented stricter labelling for the energy efficiency of electrical appliances, such as lightbulbs.
Instead of using A+, A++ or A+++ ratings, a new A to G scale will be used with stricter criteria for each classification. This change aims to improve overall energy efficiency.
Starting from September 2021, the UK has prohibited the sale of lighting fixtures that have fixed bulbs.
This means that when the bulbs in these fixtures stop working, the entire unit has to be discarded, contributing to 100,000 tonnes of electrical waste each year, a large portion of which is avoidable.
Benefits of LEDs
One clear option to consider is switching from halogen and fluorescent bulbs to LED bulbs and using LED fixtures where replacement of bulbs is possible.
The government’s primary aim is to move as many businesses as possible to LEDs, which are already the most used type of bulb in the UK.
Environmental
LED lighting can also help businesses meet new regulations in terms of energy efficiency. As governments around the world encourage energy conservation, LED lighting is becoming a popular choice for commercial spaces.
LEDs use significantly less electricity than traditional light bulbs and can last up to 25 times longer, helping businesses save money on their utility bills while still providing bright, quality lighting.
They reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions by 80% while providing the same level of brightness. LEDs are composed of materials that don’t contain any hazardous substances; in contrast to traditional lighting which often contains mercury or other toxins.
This makes them safer for the environment and easier to dispose of. Additionally, they generate less heat than traditional bulbs, meaning fewer resources are needed to cool buildings and less air pollution is created through the burning of fossil fuels.
With these added benefits, LED lighting is becoming an increasingly popular choice among businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprints while still maintaining quality lighting conditions.
Reduced Maintenance
LED bulbs last much longer than other types, often up to 50,000 hours. This means they do not need to be replaced as frequently, resulting in cost savings and less work for maintenance teams.
LED emergency lighting systems are now equipped with in-built self-testing features that greatly benefit maintenance teams. These new fittings emit a pattern of flashing light signals to indicate problems with the bulb, battery, or charger.
This eliminates the need for monthly testing that requires each light to be put into outage mode, and significantly reduces testing time. Advanced systems can send this information to a computer dashboard located centrally.
This dashboard notifies maintenance teams promptly when there is an issue, thus enhancing the safety of the system.
Customisable
Additionally, with advancements in technology, LEDs are now available in a variety of colours, temperatures and intensities, allowing businesses to customise their lighting for different needs such as task or accent lighting.
Companies can also use modern LED control systems to install intelligent lighting. Occupancy and daylight sensors allow the lighting to adjust to optimal levels during the day or turn off when a room is not in use.
With these customisable options combined with low energy consumption levels, LEDs have become an ideal choice for many businesses looking to comply with new government regulations while still maintaining optimal lighting conditions.
Contact Point Electrical Today
Contact the team at Point Electrical to book a free consultation about the benefits of installing LED lighting at your commercial premises.
We offer transparent pricing and clear quotes and all our work is guaranteed.
