Light shone on lightbulb debate by TV’s The One Show
With European Union legislation coming into force this week that bans shops from ordering new stock of traditional 40-watt lightbulbs, Ryness Lighting and Electrical (http://www.ryness.co.uk) is pleased to be helping to meet the demand for the last of the line. Now, the issue is winning some much-needed national attention with a little help from the BBC’s The One Show, which debates the new laws with the assistant editor of the Shropshire Star, Carl Jones.
With debate having raged for years as to which is the best out of the old-fashioned bulbs that many people are more accustomed to and the energy saving lamps that have won favour with European law-makers, Jones set out his own case just less than a year ago, in an article entitled Why I’m hoarding the ‘proper’ light bulbs. In it, he argued that the low-energy bulbs that were available at that time generally provided a lower quality of light.
Carl’s piece – which argued for the freedom to continue using the traditional bulbs in some areas of his home if he so desired – triggered a huge print and online response from readers, with the writer stating that “for every person who branded me a Luddite, another supported me, including ex-pats from other parts of Europe.”
Although Jones stated that low energy bulbs were used throughout most of his home, he queried being legally prevented from using a bright incandescent bulb in a reading lamp until he found a “suitable alternative”, adding: “it’s no different from choosing to drive gas-guzzling fast cars.”
Now, the matter has been taken up by The One Show, which sent presenter Dan Donnelly and his camera team to the Shropshire Star to interview Carl and consider the arguments for and against the editor’s stance – including the many made online. This was followed by a blind test with six volunteers, to determine whether there really is any discernible difference between traditional and energy saving light bulbs.
Amid the EU’s latest move to reduce the energy consumption of household products, Ryness Lighting and Electrical (http://www.ryness.co.uk) is continuing to serve those customers in both ‘camps’, not only selling the last of its existing stock of the banned light bulbs but also advising on and making available alternatives, such as halogen energy saver light bulbs and the Bell range of G9 halogen adaptors and covers. The One Show piece was broadcast on BBC1 at 7pm on Wednesday 5th September.