Sale of Incandescent Bulbs to End on Tuesday?

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Fleetie 16 years ago

I read in a newspaper on Sunday or Monday that sale of the above would be illegal in the UK after the coming Tuesday.

So I stocked up on some 40W SES bulbs for my lava lamp in Sainsbury's last night.

But is this true? There are plenty of applications for incandescent bulbs that are not simply designed for being the main light sources in rooms.

To return to lava lamps: Are all such lamps effectively living on borrowed time after Tuesday, so that when no more bulbs can be bought for them, they become useless? I like my lamp; it provides just the right level of glow at night in an otherwise dark room, save for the TV and computer or whatever.

I also have a small clip-on lamp on a goose-neck that takes a small, wire-ended incandescent bulb rated about 25W. Are those to become unavailable too?

If any of this is true, where exactly do the boundaries of what will and will not be legal lie?

Martin

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Jeff 16 years ago

I believe that it is only 100W bulbs and frosted pearl bulbs of other wattages that will be banned.

Jeff

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Sam 16 years ago

You'll still be able to buy them from overseas sellers on the likes on Ebay I should imagine.

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Jeff 16 years ago

Not legally, it will be illegal to import such items.

Jeff

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Phil Stovell 16 years ago

I expect they'll appoint a bulb czar and a 2,000 strong bulb squad who will use terrorist legislation to infiltrate bulb smugglers. Isn't Jim Gamble after a new job?

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Fleetie 16 years ago

Ah! F

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"The initial Europe wide ban only applies to 'non-directional' light bulbs, so does not affect any bulbs with reflective surfaces (eg. spotlights or halogen down lighters). Bulbs will be banned in a phased approach. The first types of bulbs to be banned are non-clear (frosted) bulbs, these will be phased out completely by September 2009. Also from September 2009 clear bulbs over 100W must be made of more efficient types. This limit will be moved down to lower wattages, and the efficiency levels raised by the end of 2012."

I wouldn't want to have to reply on receiving bulbs by post, packed and sent by some dodgy eBay geezer.

Thanks.

Martin

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Fleetie 16 years ago

I can't wait (I'm joking) for some parliamentary dimbulb to decree that lava lamps must be fitted with energy-saving bulbs. Duhhhhh...!

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geraldthehamster 16 years ago

Well, I bought 100 60W pearl bulbs of a reputable brand from an eBay seller a few months ago, and they arrived intact and well-packed. Come to think of it, if the dealine is that close for frosted bulbs I need to order some more, to make sure I have a lifetime's supply.

Regards Richard

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Sam 16 years ago

Lots of things are illegal, but sometimes you just have to take the risk.

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John Burke 16 years ago

[...]

In view of their anciency, any such lamp now still in existence will already have been living on borrowed time for decades.

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chunkyoldcortina 16 years ago

Provided you get 240V or 250V versions.

230V versions won't last long...

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Jeff 16 years ago

You can still but new lava lamps you know!!!!

Jeff

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Stephen Gower 16 years ago

What, even the ones made yesterday?

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Phil Stovell 16 years ago

UK mains voltage *is* 230v.

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Bob Eager 16 years ago

(all together) ...Oh no, it's not!

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martin 16 years ago

lol

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Frank Erskine 16 years ago

On Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:19:13 +0100, Phil Stovell had this to say:

_Mine_ isn't. It's about 240V.

You're thinking of the nominal value.

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R. Mark Clayton 16 years ago

Whereas twelve 12kh CFL's running 8 hours a day would probably see you out.

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Ian Jackson 16 years ago

In message , Fleetie writes

Presumably they will need to add a heater.... which sort of defeats the object of fitting energy-saving bulbs. No joking - it WILL happen.

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Phil Stovell 16 years ago

You'll get a deafening silence!

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's 216v - 253v, 230v nominal.

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Sale of Incandescent Bulbs to End on Tuesday?

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