Five months to go for big switch to energy saving bulbs
UAE households will no longer use low-cost incandescent bulbs.
In a bid to step up on energy conservation and reduce the carbon
footprint, switching over to energy saving bulbs go a long way,
highlighted experts on the side-line of Dubai's participation in the
global environmental initiative Earth Hour.
Despite, these bulbs costing much more than incandescent bulbs, experts claimed that in the long run, it would translate into annual savings of around Dh2,300 in a normal household.
As per the new standardisation guideline for indoor lighting set by Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma), all inefficient, low-cost bulbs are currently being phased out in local stores.They are expected to be cleared from the shelves by the end of the year.
Residents will then be able to buy only energy-efficient bulbs.
Even though Esma has marked July 1 as the deadline for the swap, experts informed that the change will be gradual.
"It will depend on how long the light bulbs currently being used are lasting. Currently, we are encouraging people to make a swap," stated Ida Tillisch, director general Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF.
Although incandescent bulbs might appear economical for many, in the long-run it will only translate into huge energy bills.
Ida admitted that energy-saving bulbs will be an expense upfront, but it could last for much longer.
"As per our calculations this would reduce 940,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to taking 165,000 cars off the road.
"It will eventually translate into huge savings for the household, and the government as well because it is subsidized energy with more efficiency.
"In fact, the payback time for a resident is a year."
According to the experts, this shift is expected to bring in a savings of Dh668 million a year.
Ida added that Esma "will also increase the standard for energy-efficient bulbs".
"You have energy bulbs that are manufactured around the world that are not in line with the standards implemented here in the UAE, but that will be checked."
According to officials at Esma, after the switch in households, they will look into street lights in the second phase, and big stadiums in the third stage.
Despite, these bulbs costing much more than incandescent bulbs, experts claimed that in the long run, it would translate into annual savings of around Dh2,300 in a normal household.
As per the new standardisation guideline for indoor lighting set by Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma), all inefficient, low-cost bulbs are currently being phased out in local stores.They are expected to be cleared from the shelves by the end of the year.
Residents will then be able to buy only energy-efficient bulbs.
Even though Esma has marked July 1 as the deadline for the swap, experts informed that the change will be gradual.
"It will depend on how long the light bulbs currently being used are lasting. Currently, we are encouraging people to make a swap," stated Ida Tillisch, director general Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF.
Although incandescent bulbs might appear economical for many, in the long-run it will only translate into huge energy bills.
Ida admitted that energy-saving bulbs will be an expense upfront, but it could last for much longer.
"As per our calculations this would reduce 940,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to taking 165,000 cars off the road.
"It will eventually translate into huge savings for the household, and the government as well because it is subsidized energy with more efficiency.
"In fact, the payback time for a resident is a year."
According to the experts, this shift is expected to bring in a savings of Dh668 million a year.
Ida added that Esma "will also increase the standard for energy-efficient bulbs".
"You have energy bulbs that are manufactured around the world that are not in line with the standards implemented here in the UAE, but that will be checked."
According to officials at Esma, after the switch in households, they will look into street lights in the second phase, and big stadiums in the third stage.
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