Lighting
Phase-out of inefficient incandescent light bulbs
Working with the states and territories, the Australian Government will gradually phase out all inefficient incandescent light bulbs.
Savings to the environment
The phase-out will deliver considerable savings to the environment and the economy. Across the country, the move to more efficient lighting, such as compact fluorescent lamps, is expected to save around 30 terawatt hours of electricity and 28 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions between 2008 and 2020. This is equivalent to permanently decommissioning a small coal-fired power station or taking more than 500,000 cars off the road permanently. It is expected to result in savings to the Australian economy of around $380 million per year by 2020 and result in net savings of more than $50 per year for each household that changes all of its incandescent light globes to compact fluorescent lamps.
Phase-out to date
The first stage of the phase-out plan was the introduction of an import restriction on inefficient incandescent general lighting service light bulbs from 1 February 2009.
For further information on incandescent lamps (restricted import) and import controls of General Lighting Service electric filament lamps—Australian Customs Notice No. 2009/04—please visit the Australian Customs Service website.
From 1 November 2009 Minimum Energy Performance Standards applied at point of sale to compact fluorescent lamps, General Lighting Service incandescent lamps and extra low-voltage halogen non-reflector lamps.
From 1 October 2010 Minimum Energy Performance Standards applied at point of sale to extra low-voltage halogen reflector lamps and >40W candle, fancy round and decorative lamps.
Products in these categories must comply with the Mimimum Energy Performance Standards and be registered with relevant state regulatory authorities to be legally sold. Information on registration is available on the Energy Rating website.
Mains voltage halogen non reflector lamps will be subject to Minimum Energy Performance Standards from 1 January 2011 with a revised Minimum Energy Performance Standards level applied until 30 September 2012. Further information is available in Regulatory Ruling #30.
Globe conversion table
The table below compares traditional incandescent light bulb wattages with the equivalent compact fluorescent lamps or mains voltage halogen lamps.
Light Globe Conversion Table
| NOTE: The wattages listed above for compact fluorescent lamps and mains voltage halogen lamps are approximations only and may vary between manufacturers. Use wattages as a guide only. Alternatively, refer to the 'Light Output in Lumens' column. You can then check the lumen output (lm) shown on the lamp package you are purchasing. (NB: Not all products carry lumen details) |
* Compact fluorescent lamps come in a range of colours, these include: - Warm White—provides a soft warmer light comparable to light provided by traditional incandescent light bulbs
- Cool White—provides neutral light comparable to office lighting
- Daylight—similar to outdoor light comparable to midday lighting conditions.
|
| ** Mains voltage halogen lamps are similar in appearance to traditional incandescent light bulbs and are suitable alternatives for light fixtures that require functions such as dimming and touch or sensor control, however, they are not as efficient as compact fluorescent lamps. |
| Incandescent Bulbs | Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL)* | Mains Voltage Halogen (MVH)** | Light output in lumens (lm) |
|---|
| 25W |
5-7W |
18W |
220 lm |
| 40W |
7-8W |
28W |
420 lm |
| 60W |
11-12W |
42W |
720 lm |
| 75W |
13-18W |
52W |
930 lm |
| 100W |
18-23W |
70W |
1300 lm |