In a media release in February 2007 by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull MP announced the the "Australian Government was taking action to phase out inefficient light bulbs.  Lighting accounts for about 12% of greenhouse gas emissions from the residential sector and about 25% from the commercial sector.  Phasing out inefficient lamps will reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions by 4 million tonnes by 2012. Working with it's state and territory counterparts the Government will gradually phase out all inefficient light bulbs and is aiming for full enorcement of new lighting standards legislation by 2009 and 2010.

Q. Why are CFLs lamps better than incandescent light bulbs?                    

CFLs use less energy.

Have a higher light output for less energy used.

CFLs are available in a range of sizes and fittings.                      

Reduce household lighting costs.

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  

Q. Why does the colour of CFLs look so different?

Colour temperature is measured in degrees Kelvin and is a measure of the warmth or coldness of the light produced by a lamp. Lamps that produce a warm or yellow light have a low colour temperature, whereas lamps producing a white or bluish lilght have a higher colour temperature.

Q. What are the factors limiting the use of CFLs?

Most CFLs cannot be dimmed.

Most CFLs do not operate well when used with motion sensors or timers.

Many existing light fittings will not take a CFL.

Aesthetic issues. (Yes they look ugly...)

These issues are being tackled by manufacturers.  Dimmable CFLs are now available but are more expensive.  It will be interesting to see what the future holds for CFLs.

Low quality CFLs may be cheap but they exhibit poor colour rendering, fail quickly and have a shorter life span.