Price remains the main obstacle for most consumers when it comes to opting for compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), at least until the ban on traditional lightbulbs is introduced in January 2009.
A standard Solus 100w bulb costs just 76 cent in Tesco, while the equivalent CFL (21 watt) costs €5.49.
In Decwell's hardware store on Dublin's South Great George's Street, Philips CFLs of varying strengths cost €8.50, compared to an average €1.50 for standard bulbs. Irish-made Ecopal CFLs cost between €6.50 and €8 depending on strength for bayonet models, and an additional €2 for screwtop models.
The Ecopal bulbs claims a 10-year working life and 80 per cent power consumption, but the price difference tends to dominate over more long-term advantages in the minds of many consumers.
One reason for the price difference, as the Consumers Association of Ireland has pointed out, is the fact that CFLs, unlike incandescent bulbs, are subject to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Weee) recycling rules, and a 50 cent levy is added to each CFL bulb to cover disposal and recycling costs.
But it's also clear that CFLs cost more here in Ireland than in other parts of Europe. For example, the Philips low-energy bulb costing €8.50 in Dublin retails for just €5.58 in Argos in Britain.
So, while many CFLs will indeed pay for themselves in the first year of operation, the variation in quality between different makes gives the consumer good reason to be cautious. Anyone buying energy-saving bulbs should check before buying to see if full information is given on the box. Good CFLs will say whether they have electronic start (instant on and no flicker), a fast warm-up time and a colour rendering index (CRI) of 90 or better, as well as stating its true colour temperature. More technically minded buyers might want to look at the lumen count to ensure they are happy with the quality of light provided by the bulb, but for most of us the best advice is to stick with reputable and well-known brands.