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The ban on fluorescent lighting in commercial premises

A phased ban on fluorescent lighting in the UK was completed in February this year, so what does it mean for offices, commercial premises and other workplaces across the country?

The move is part of a wider aim to cut the UK’s carbon emissions and has seen the UK follow the lead of the EU. It follows the banning of halogen lightbulbs in September 2021.

Why is fluorescent lighting banned?

The ban has largely been driven by environmental concerns. Fluorescent lighting contains mercury which is harmful to health and the environment. It emits more carbon than other more modern forms of lighting, in particular LEDs which are up to 80 per cent more energy efficient.

What is the legislation?

The EU’s RoHS directive (Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment) restricts the use of ten hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. This covers the mercury in fluorescent lighting, but exemptions within these regulations meant that, until now, manufacturers were still able to produce mercury-containing lighting for certain purposes.

However, last year, the UK Government made changes to these exemptions, with a view to phasing out the production of new fluorescent lighting. These changes banned the use of mercury in any new lighting and other types of electrical and electronic equipment.

It came into full effect in February this year with the banning of compact fluorescent (CFL) and T5 fluorescent lighting. The manufacture of T8 fluorescent lighting had already been prohibited in September last year.

However, these products may still be sold while existing stock remains.

What are the alternatives to fluorescent lighting in commercial premises?

As the UK ban on fluorescent lighting takes hold, what other options are there for lighting commercial premises and offices?

Whether a retail unit or a factory, the best and most widely used alternative is LED lighting. In fact, it’s predicted that 85 per cent of all commercial lighting will be from LEDs by 2030.

The benefits of LEDs are varied and include superior performance, longer life and less waste, improved energy efficiency and therefore lower energy usage and bills, reduced maintenance costs and a better carbon footprint. Read more about the benefits of LEDs here.

When and how to switch your fluorescent lighting

As stocks of fluorescent lighting dwindle, the cost of purchasing stock is likely to rise and, eventually, supply will disappear. So it may be best to act sooner rather than later in switching from fluorescent lighting to alternative forms.

Switching to LEDs seems like the obvious thing to do, but when is the right time? There’s no doubt that the initial cost of replacing your fluorescent lighting can be a barrier to some businesses. But the long-term benefits and value for money can be worth it. And it may not take that long – some estimates say costs can be recouped within a couple of years.

Rather than a full replacement, you could consider a retrofitting service instead. This is where the fixtures are retained but the fluorescent components replaced. Not only does this save on the cost of the work, but it also minimises downtime and disruption to your business.

However, you need to be aware that replacement LEDs used in an old installation are less energy efficient than a new LED installation. You also need to ensure that the existing wiring and electrical installation meets current safety standards and requirements, and that it can operate correctly with an LED light. And when removing fluorescent lighting, it’s essential to dispose of it correctly. This should be done in accordance with the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive.

If you are intending to fully install an LED lighting system, there are energy efficiency grants available.

Use the ban on fluorescent lighting to consider your lighting design

Replacing your fluorescent lighting gives you the opportunity to rethink the whole lighting design in your offices or commercial premises. You can consider not just the use of LEDs but also how natural light can be optimised to illuminate workspaces. Think about the different zones of your workplace and the tasks that take place in each. There may be some places that require comfortable, ambient lighting, while others need more focused accent or task lighting. LEDs can be set to different colour temperatures, so factor this in, too.

And, to further make the most of the energy savings and environmental benefits of switching to LEDs, you could install sensors and other lighting control options such as dimmers. This will ensure your offices or commercial premises are illuminated only when needed.

We can give advice on switching to LEDs following the ban on fluorescent lighting, or on lighting systems design. Please call the DRF Electrical team on 0113 257 8212.

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