Environment secretary Hilary Benn used last month’s Labour conference to outline plans which would end the sale of 150-watt bulbs by January 2008, with all traditional bulbs withdrawn from sale by 2011. To support the move, Raytec has launched an energy calculator on its website.
“Whether you are using white light or infra-red you can see at a glance how much energy and money you’ll save by using more efficient illuminators,” said Shaun Cutler, the company’s managing director.
Raytec claims its Raylux range, which uses quick-start LED-based white light, requires less than a tenth of the energy used by traditional bulbs. It said that by using its products, even medium-sized businesses could save thousands of pounds in running costs whilst cutting CO2 emissions.
“As an industry we can no longer afford to sit by and use power-hungry security lights without worrying about their impact on the environment, or their running costs,” Cutler said.
“The announcement by environment secretary Hilary Benn that wasteful incandescent bulbs are to be phased out reflects similar moves towards more sustainable lighting solutions across Europe and in North America.
“Energy efficiency, value for money and optimum performance should now be the priorities for all security system designers and installers.”