Fluorescent lightbulbs 2023 ban – Is your business ready?

Legislation coming into force in September 2023 will see a ban on the sales of fluorescent lightbulbs across the UK.

The move is part of the government’s long-term plans to tackle climate change, and follows a similar decision made in September 2021 to ban the sale of halogen bulbs. 

In the following piece, we’ll discuss why the bulbs are being banned, the benefits of switching to an LED solution and what help is available.

Why are they banning fluorescent lightbulbs?

The UK government has moved to ban the sale of fluorescent lightbulbs as part of their wider efforts to tackle climate change. Ministers believe the new rules will mark a significant shift to longer-lasting LEDs and will stop 1.26 million tonnes of carbon being emitted every year – the equivalent of removing over half a million cars from the UK’s roads.

The following lamps cannot be placed on the market after 1st September 2023:

• Linear fluorescent lamps T8 2ft, 4ft, 5ft.
• Mains voltage Halogen capsules with G9 cap.
• 12V Halogen capsules with G4/GY6.35 cap.

Moving forward, businesses still using fluorescent bulbs are being encouraged to switch to long-lasting LED bulbs.

What are the benefits of LED lighting?

LEDs offer several advantages over traditional light bulbs and are now installed in two thirds of all UK properties.

The benefits of LED lighting probably deserve a blog post of their own, but top-level advantages include:

• Energy Efficient – LED bulbs use around 80% less energy than regular fluorescent bulbs.
• Cost Effective – The reduction in energy usage is reflective in your billing. The less energy you use, the less you’ll spend.
• Longer Lasting – LED lighting products typically last much longer than other lighting types.  A good quality LED bulb can last three to five times longer than a regular lightbulb.
• Environmentally Friendly – Unlike fluorescent lights requiring specialised disposal services (due to mercury levels), LED bulbs can be easily recycled.

Is funding available to help my business make the switch from fluorescent lightbulbs?

There are varying degrees of support available, depending on the sector in which you operate.

For those in education, you can apply for funding via the government or your local council.

Eligible schools and colleges will receive an allocation from an additional £447 million of capital funding to improve energy efficiency in 2022 to 2023. This is part of an additional £500 million of capital funding for schools and further education institutions in England.

This funding is for institutions that were eligible for devolved formula capital in 2022 to 2023.

For other businesses, ask your local council if they provide energy efficiency funding or sustainable business growth grants. You will normally need to submit a business case to apply. Some initiatives may also be eligible for business innovation funding.

How can GAS help?

Here at GAS, we understand that even with funding, the upfront capital investment required for LED Lighting migration is still a step too far for many.

Due to our unique partnerships, we can provide businesses with a cost-effective solution to upgrade to LED whilst also gaining control of their energy costs.

As part of our bespoke package, we offer Lighting as a Service (LaaS), enabling us to provide your business or school with LED lighting with no upfront costs. Instead, you can spread the cost across monthly payments. In some cases, customers have even put aside the expenditure they’ve saved from their reduction in energy usage for payments!

At the same time, our energy procurement team will assess your bills to investigate areas where savings can be made. Our LaaS offering, coupled with our wind, solar and procurement services, are all part of our wider approach to offer a holistic energy management solution for UK businesses.  

To find out more about our LaaS LED solution, speak to a member of our team on 0800 130 3514.