Alternatives to the lightbulb

Lightbulbs are being phased out in several stages via an import prohibition. Lamps held in stock may be sold and used until they run out.

At each stage, traditional lightbulbs of a certain type and wattage will be prohibited, those with the highest wattage will be prohibited first.  When a certain type of lightbulb becomes prohibited there will be several different types of alternatives: low-energy bulbs, efficient halogen lamps with a screw fitting and in the future LED lamps as well. Reflector lamps are not covered by the prohibition, but stricter requirements are expected for these in future decisions.

Many alternatives available

Today, the low-energy lamp is the alternative that saves the most energy and is the most economical. It lasts up to 10 times as long as a normal lightbulb, but it is not suitable everywhere. This is where halogen lamps are a good alternative with a screw fitting and used with the mains supply voltage. They last three times as long as a lightbulb. In time, it is expected that LED lamps will become the most energy-efficient alternative. They also last up to 50 times longer than a lightbulb.

Note that there is already today a good energy-efficient alternative to the lightbulb that will soon be prohibited over the coming years. There is therefore no reason to wait in using them at home because they save both energy and money.

The table below shows which lamps will be disappearing from the market, when this will happen and what the various alternatives are. The energy classification indicates the mandatory energy rating. A is the most energy-efficient, i.e. it provides the most light per Watt.

What is being prohibited and when?	What are the alternatives?		Energy rating	Savings (compared to the lightbulb)?
September 2009: Prohibition on all frosted lightbulbs + clear 100 W lightbulbs	Low-energy lamps without an outer casing		A	75-80 %
	Low-energy lamps "classic"		A-B	70-75 %
	Clear halogen lamps		C	30 %
September 2010: clear 75 W lightbulbs	Low-energy lamps without an outer casing		A	75-80 %
	Low-energy lamps "classic"		A-B	70-75 %
	Clear halogen lamps		C	30 %
September 2011: clear 60 W lightbulb	Low-energy lamps without an outer casing		A	75-80 %
	Low-energy lamps "classic"		A-B	70-75 %
	Clear halogen lamps		C	30 %
	Clear halogen lightbulbs class B		B	50 %
September 2012: clear 40 and clear 25 Watt light bulbs	Low-energy lamps without an outer casing		A	75-80 %
	Low-energy lamps "classic		A-B	70-75 %
	Clear halogen lightbulbs		C	30 %
	Clear halogen lightbulbs class B		B	50 %
	Clear special lightbulbs for chandeliers (halogen and low-energy lamps)		A, B, C	80-30 %
	Frosted special lightbulbs for chandeliers (halogen and low-energy lamps)		A, B, C	80-30 %
September 2013: Stricter requirements for low-energy bulbs and LEDs	This does not mean that any lamp-type will be disappearing off the market, but only those lamps (lightbulbs) that are energy-inefficient will be taken off the market.
September 2016: Stricter requirements for halogen bulbs	Low energy lamps, Clear halogen lightbulbs, Super halogen lightbulbs and LEDs			75-80 % 30 % 50 % 25-75 %

Photo: Nils Borg