Halogen ban set to hit the UK & Ireland September 1, 2018

• Philips LED bulbs last 15 times longer than halogen bulbs – that’s a potential cost saving of two weeks’ worth of family food shops
• LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy than halogen bulbs
• In light of the ban, Signify (formerly Philips Lighting) and the University of Portsmouth reveal the top 50 now obsolete items for the home

London, UK – September 1, 2018 marks a step change for households across the UK & Ireland with the Europe-wide shift to energy efficient LED lighting, following the next phase of the ban on halogen bulbs. Building upon the phase-out of halogen spotlight bulbs (or GU10) implemented in 2016, the next phase will see the ban on non-directional halogen lamps, including standard pear or candle bulb shaped lamps.

In anticipation of the ban, Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), formerly Philips Lighting and the world leader in lighting, unveils the financial and energy benefits for households in Europe of switching to LED lights.

So, why are halogen bulbs being banned? Quite simply they are extremely inefficient in their use of electricity. In fact, halogen lamps use around 10 times the amount of energy of LED lamps. The EU’s ban is part of its commitment to rein in CO2 emissions and reduce its carbon footprint.

Philips LED bulbs, for example, last up to 15 times longer and use up to 80% less energy compared to their halogen counterparts. So, how much can we actually save? On average, a UK home has 10 halogen bulbs on for 2.7 hours a dayⁱ. By using the Philips LED savings converter and making the switch to LED, individuals will save a minimum of £112 a year. That’s enough savings to grant the average UK family two weeks’ worth of free grocery shoppingⁱⁱ.

LED light bulbs have an average lifespan of 15 years, making LED bulbs good for both the planet and our pockets. Technical developments now allow for a vast array of options when it comes to LED, offering a breadth of colour temperatures and designs to personalise any home. Philips LED SceneSwitch, for example, offers three dimming settings in the one bulb without the need for a dimmer.

The Future of the UK Home

The halogen light bulb is not the first item to become ‘extinct’ in our homes and it won’t be the last. Incandescent light bulbs, the service hatch, the Walkman and even the photograph album are just some of the obsolete items which we have gradually outgrown and replaced with other innovations. More often than not, this usually brings benefits and efficiency to our lives.

In honour of the halogen ban, Signify has partnered with Deborah Sugg Ryan, Professor of Design History and Theory, University of Portsmouth to reveal the Top 50 Obsolete Items in the home from the past few decades. Casting her expert lens room by room, Professor Sugg Ryan has pinpointed items which have gradually evolved or been phased out – with the incandescent bulb taking a spot as the most recent addition to the home archive.

ⁱ A government study found that UK homes have on average 34 lights at home with 31% being halogen (10 average)

ⁱⁱ According to a 2017 report from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the average UK family spends £58 a week on their food shop.