THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT FOR LIGHTING LEGISLATION
6 June 2012
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Despite the ongoing furore about the ErP lighting legislation, new research from Newey & Eyre has revealed contractors are a beacon of light when it comes to supporting customers through the changes.
More than half (58%) said they found it easy to understand what was required in the initial stage of the EU’s phase out of inefficient lamps (which affected clear 60W GLS lamps and above) with four in ten saying they haven’t changed the way they specify lighting as they’ve always recommended the most energy efficient option. However a quarter (26%) of contractors did think that the changes weren’t clearly communicated in the industry.
The abundance of support and advice to contractors about lighting choices is clearly having a positive impact as more than a third (37%) say they can confidently explain the best solutions to customers and 40% believe the variety of choice on the market helps make specification easier.
It seems the legislation is having the desired effect with a quarter (26%) reporting that customers have embraced the opportunity to improve the efficiency of their lighting and a further 25% say their customers have accepted the changes. Its positive impact is also extending beyond lighting with more than a third (35%) of contractors reporting that the legislation is encouraging customers to consider other energy saving technologies and 30% have installed energy saving lighting as part of a low energy solutions project.
Despite there being legislation as a mechanism to drive change, more than two thirds (67%) of contractors believe customers are mainly motivated by saving money, while 23% are concerned about saving energy. Complying with legislation actually ranked as the fourth priority behind concern about the performance and quality of the product.
When it comes to preparing for this year’s stage of the EU’s phase out programme, a third (33%) of contractors are on the ball already encouraging customers to change their lighting and a further quarter (26%) are clear on what is expected.
James Harding from Newey& Eyre comments: “It’s really encouraging to know that contractors are fully on board with the lighting legislation and using it to make a difference to their customers. As expected there is a disparity between commercial and domestic end users, with businesses more inclined to use low energy lighting according to 82% of contractors that we surveyed. However that’s not to say that saving energy from lighting isn’t as important in the home and there is definitely a need for everyone to play their part in energy saving, as at the end of the day, it’s saving the customer money on their fuel bills.”
To support contractors through the changes, manufacturers are continuing to make significant investment in producing innovative low energy lighting solutions, so there are easy-to-use, stylish, low cost and low maintenance options available for businesses and consumers. For example Newey & Eyre’s latest additions to its low energy lighting range are ideal for applications where high quality lighting and zero maintenance are required.
With a lifetime of 70,000 hours (at L70) as well as a light output of 621 Lumens (69 Lm/W) and a warm white colour temperature, the 9W module delivers 85 per cent energy and maintenance cost savings compared to a 35W halogen lamp, together with CO2 savings of 75 per cent. The high-quality downlight includes a specially designed baffle for use with LED lighting that reduces glare and is ideal for public areas, restaurants and hotels.
For further information on Newey& Eyre call 0800 783 6909 or call into any local branch. Alternatively, Newey& Eyre offers the additional facility to order online via Neweys Online. The web store offers a range of benefits including an extended service with a late 8pm cut-off time for next day delivery. Orders can also be placed online for the items to be collected next day from any of the nationwide Newey& Eyre locations.
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