'Cheap energy light bulbs not as bright as conventional models' - 01/09/2009
People looking to switch energy to more efficient light bulbs may be dismayed by news that the new bulbs lack the brightness of conventional models.
The European Commission has said manufacturers have exaggerated claims that energy-saving light bulbs - the only ones that consumers are now able to buy in the European Union (EU) - offer the same brightness as their conventional counterparts, reports the Sunday Telegraph.
According to the paper's own testing, even after waiting ten minutes with the unit turned on, an 11-Watt (W) energy-saving bulb only produces 58 per cent of the brightness of a conventional bulb with the 'equivalent' brightness of 60W.
A spokesman from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the government is monitoring the situation and that the EU is reviewing the clarity of labelling on efficient light bulbs.
Many people unenthusiastic about energy-efficient light bulbs have been stockpiling supplies of conventional models in recent days, according to the BBC.
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