Free energy saving lighbulbs bonanza

Households in the U.K., which has a population of around 65 million people, received 200 million energy saving lightbulbs over the past 20 months. That equates to more than three eco bulbs having been dispatched for every man, woman, and child in Britain in less than two years.

First, the why.

The British government is making a concerted effort to persuade us all to go green. Along with encouraging recycling and insisting cars meet certain emission standards, the companies which provide us with energy are closely monitored.

Early in 2008, energy companies were instructed to invest in ways of making people’s homes more energy efficient. Although this was a compulsory scheme, firms were allowed to choose which power-saving measures they would back. These ranged from subsidizing loft insulation to giving free wall insulation to pensioners. Or, giving away free energy saving lightbulbs.

Which is the option most energy companies chose because it was cheap, easy, and effective. And the costs of participating in the scheme could be passed on to customers without anyone really noticing.

But they went a little too far.

According to The Daily Mail, it’s estimated that a whopping 200 million of these lightbulbs have been sent out in unsolicited mail campaigns in less than two years. The practice has been so overdone that the government banned it from Jan. 1, 2010. But that didn’t stop nPower from sending out a further 12 million over Christmas to ensure it met its targets and avoided a £40 million fine.

Why is this a problem?

Because, quite simply, no one needs these lightbulbs any more. The whole point of energy saving lightbulbs is they use less energy and last a lot longer. So, fit them in every light fitting in your home and you’re probably sorted for ten years or more. Meaning those bulbs being dropped through your letterbox are worthless and actually bad for the environment, as they sit in a draw until forgotten about or misplaced.

This is utter lunacy, but it’s a situation that has come about because energy companies were given too much choice. The government needs to be firmer to avoid this kind of mocking of green technology happening in the future.

Meanwhile, if anyone in a neighboring country would like some free lightbulbs then you know who to ask.

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