No reliable information is available about the percentage of UK households that use energy saving (compact fluorescent) light bulbs. However, the Government’s Market Transformation Programme (MTP) estimates that the number of compact fluorescent light bulbs in use in UK homes rose from around 27 million in 2000 (5 per cent. of the total number of bulbs) to around 98 million (nearly 18 per cent. of the total) in 2005. This is equivalent to three energy saving bulbs per household.
The Government recognises the need to further accelerate take-up of energy saving light bulbs and have a range of policies which aim to achieve this. These include:
(i) mandatory energy labelling, endorsement and promotion of the most efficient bulbs via the Energy Saving Trust’s Energy Saving Recommended scheme
(ii) provision of a significant number of energy saving light bulbs to households by energy suppliers through the Energy Efficiency Commitment.
Energy saving bulbs are also provided to eligible households through the Government’s Warm Front Scheme.
Further information on this Scheme can be found at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/energy/hees/index.htm.