Energy-saving lamps in the criticism: all a big lie?

"Bulb Fiction" is the name of the one-and-a-half-hour documentary by the Austrian filmmaker Christoph Mayr, which aired in German cinemas in the summer. In it, the energy-saving lamps, which are gradually replacing the old light bulbs since 2011, are being critically illuminated. The allegations that the filmmakers make: Energy saving lamps harm our health, the mercury contained poison our families. The environment does not use the lamps at all and the introduction of EU politicians together with the lamp industry, which wants to sell new (expensive) products instead of the good old ones, was concocted. Even environmental organizations like Greenpeace are allegedly stuck with the industry under a blanket, according to "Bulb Fiction". And the way out? Back to the proven bulb as a mass-produced, the film suggests.

What now? Should you unscrew all energy-saving lamps in panic and sit in the dark? We looked at the film and critically questioned its arguments.

Subject mercury In fact, all energy-saving lamps contain a small amount of toxic mercury (by the way, far less than the previously used clinical thermometers). But the information in the film is not up to date. You need to know:

? Since 1.1.2012, the lamps may contain a maximum of 3.5 mg of mercury, the content must be stated on the packaging. Tip: There are also lamps with even less mercury, you prefer these. "When energy-saving bulbs break down, the liquid mercury may be released. The vapors are harmful to health, you should not breathe them (More information on dealing with broken lamps can be found here) But already 20 percent of all energy-saving lamps contain amalgam, so bound instead liquid mercury. Pay attention to the labeling! "Easily breakable are only lamps with visible bars. Instead, buy energy-saving bulbs with a bulb-shaped or drop-shaped coating and silicone coating. They do not break if they fall off. If you are unsure: Silicone feels rougher than glass.

Topic disposal There are actually some problems here. Consumers still throw about 70 to 80 percent of their used energy-saving light bulbs into the trash, even though it is prohibited. Mercury released endangers the workers, and it can also be dumped in landfills. Even if the waste migrates into the incinerator, the pollutant can not be completely destroyed. Therefore, always bring old energy saving lamps to a pollutant collection point (addresses: www.lightcycle.de). In recycling companies, the mercury can be recovered almost completely. The process is not new either: the "neon tubes" that have been used in companies for decades are recycled in this way. Of course it would be much better if you could return the lamps to where you bought them - after all, it works for years on batteries. For some time now, such a regulation has been discussed in the EU. Some companies (for example, Kaufland) offer voluntary redemption. Tip: Prefer these shops! As a consumer, exercise pressure by claiming redemption in stores!

Topic alternatives All experts agree that energy-saving lamps are a "transitional technology". The lighting of the future works with LEDs (read more about LEDS here). There has been tremendous progress over the past two years. Soon there will be LED lamps in good quality for under 20 euros, which consume even less power than energy-saving lamps and should last 25 to 30 years. So: Do ​​not be too confused by the movie. The documentary simply omits many facts that do not fit into the concept. Instead of demanding necessary improvements, such as the recycling of energy-saving lamps, it unnecessarily fuels fears, spreads conspiracy theories and false hopes. Because a "back to the light bulb" will not exist.

Are incandescent bulbs really that big?

The mass does it: Worldwide one fifth of the electricity is used for lighting. The light bulb, invented by Thomas Edison 130 years ago, is transforming only five percent of the energy used in the lightthe rest fizzles out as heat - scoffers call them "heat lamps". Halogen lamps, on the other hand, achieve around 10% light output, energy-saving lamps 25%, LEDs (LEDs) 50%.

How much money and energy can be saved through the exchange?

Energy-saving lamps consume 80 percent less energy than bulbs. If ten light bulbs in a household are replaced by energy-saving bulbs, according to an estimate by the Federal Association of Consumer Advice Centers, one saves around 100 euros per year in electricity costs; the differences in acquisition costs (energy-saving lamps are much more expensive) and the lifetime (they last much longer) are taken into account. Another extrapolation states: If in Germany domestic appliances replaced all light bulbs with energy-saving bulbs at once, six billion kilowatt hours of electricity would be saved - the equivalent of the annual output of a coal-fired power plant.

I heard that energy-saving lamps are poisonous - is that true?

In the spring of 2011, a television magazine had energy-saving lamps tested in the laboratory. There were increased values ​​u.a. of the toxin phenol. The Federal Environment Agency, otherwise very critical when it comes to the assessment of health problems, commented however: The test took place in a very small test chamber. In a normal living space, the proven concentration is negligible. At Stiftung Warentest, where energy-saving light bulbs are in the long-term test, you can see the same - but of course the goal must be to generally reduce the emissions of all products as far as possible. The quality of energy-saving lamps has improved overall latelysays the foundation.

And what about mercury and electrosmog?

Correct is: All energy saving lamps contain toxic mercury. But you can reduce the risk: Buy lamps that contain a solid amalgam compound instead of liquid mercury (usually found on the label), which will release much less toxic fumes. If you prefer bulbs that are shatter-proof (for example, drop-shaped), you will not see the glow sticks. Should an unprotected energy-saving bulb break down, ventilate the room immediately (15 minutes are enough), remove the splinters later. Do not touch, do not soak up, but return and take them to the recycling center in a sealed bag. Many more tips on this are the Federal Environment Agency. Also in terms of electrosmog, there is no reason to panicaccording to the product testers: At a distance of 30 centimeters the measured values ​​reached at most one tenth of the permissible values. And at 50 centimeters distance, almost nothing was measurable. Cordless phones and cell phones are far more worrying.

How long do the lamps last?

In the case of light bulbs, the tungsten wire burns out after 1,000 hours at the latest, normal halogen lamps generate 2,000, low-voltage lamps 5,000 hours, energy-saving lamps only go off after 6,000 to 15,000 hours. However, these are averages. Both Stiftung Warentest and "Ökotest" found several quality defects. Above all, very inexpensive no-name products always cut off badly, consume more electricity than stated and do not last as long as promised. The latest test results from 9/2011 on: www.test.de.

What about halogen lamps?

Halogen lamps are popular because they have a very good, true-looking color rendering. Moreover, they are unbeatable if you want to put individual pictures or objects in the "right light". Anyhow, exempt from the EU regulation are the relatively economical low-voltage reflector lamps, which are operated with a transformer - for example in long corridors. Low-voltage lamps are particularly efficient with infrared coating (eg marked with "IRC"). A cable system with eight lights causes about 30 instead of 55 Euro energy costs per year. Even with normal halogen lamps, manufacturers have succeeded in developing energy-efficient models that will not fall under the ban or will fall. However, halogen lamps are far from being as efficient as energy-saving lamps: According to Stiftung Warentest, compared to the light bulb, depending on the model, 17 to 44 percent of electricity can be saved.

Why are energy-saving lamps still so unpopular?

Although they have been on the market for more than 20 years, they are not really popular. It has already been improved a lot: at the beginning they glowed in relatively "cold" light (like neon tubes in the workplace), but now they are also available in "warm white" shades, which are close to the light of the light bulb. However, energy-saving lamps will never reach the brilliant light of halogen lamps. Other disadvantages are difficult to remove for technical reasons: They only become really bright after a delayIn unfavorable cases, it can take a minute or more. In addition, only a few are suitable for very frequent switching on and off, so for example for staircases. Halogen and LED lamps are clearly superior in this regard. And when it comes to appearance: Whether pear, candle or stick shape, Energy-saving lamps will always look a bit clunky; The electronics must be housed in the socket, and that takes up space.

How do I find the right lamp?

The offer has become much more confusing. First and foremost, you have to ask yourself: What do I need the lamp for? If it is rarely and briefly clicked, you can take a frugal halogen lamp.For the floor lamp in the living room, which is long and frequently in operation, is an energy-saving lamp with the designation 827 or 927 (stands for good color rendering and for warm white light). If you need lamps for the stairwell, where the light is switched on and off a hundred times a day, you should pay attention to the statement "high switching resistance". Do you want something very special, you can grab an LED lamp: The hefty price of up to 60 € is worthwhile, however, only if the lamp is really often and long turned on. Although some providers guarantee a lifetime of 25 years. Whether that's true, however, will only prove the practice. In the time lapse simulate can not according to the goods test.

How do I compare the brightness?

Since 2010 also on the packaging Luminous efficacy in "lumens" be specified. This makes it much easier to estimate how bright a lamp is compared to the conventional light bulb than with the wattage: For example, a 100 watt bulb is equivalent to 1340 lumens, a 60 watt bulb 700 lumens. Accordingly, you can then select the energy-saving lamp you need. Initially, the energy-saving lamp manufacturers had not taken so closely with the Watt specifications. Disappointment among consumers about the "dim funzel" were programmed.

Where to go with the used energy saving lamps?

Energy-saving lamps contain toxic mercury and therefore belong to hazardous waste. But according to estimates of the German Environmental Aid (DUH) of private households only 37 percent of the disused lamps actually disposed of properly, the large rest ends up in the household waste. Which is probably due to the fact that in many places there are only a few reception points - in most cases they are not centrally located and also have unfavorable opening times, as the DUH found in a survey of 42 cities. Quite different in Switzerland: There, shops selling energy-saving lamps have to take back the old ones.

Tip: Through the portal www.lichtzeichen.de nationwide collection points for energy-saving lamps with address and current opening hours can be queried.

When do LED lamps come?

Many experts consider energy-saving lamps only as an interim solution. The megatrend of the future is called LED, Light-emitting diodes, a development from the computer industry. They are tiny, can glow in different colors and are so sturdy that they are likely to outlast the lifetime of lights. They have been used for a long time in traffic lights, flashlights and fairy lights. Now more and more models for the living area are coming onto the market. The disadvantages: They are more expensive than energy-saving lamps and the brightness left to be desired for the time being. Experts believe that they will not be a real alternative until about five years from now. The next step will be OLEDs, organic light-emitting diodes. They can be shaped as desired and even applied as a liquid solution - for example on a window front, which then lights up.

How long are there any bulbs to buy?

Incandescent lamps with 100 watts and almost all with frosted glass (except efficiency class A) have not been available since the end of 2009. Since September 2012, all incandescent lamps over 10 watts have disappeared from the shops. But, of course, shops are allowed to sell their remnants and even the lamps you already have at home can still be used.

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