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Halogen Torchieres in the Netherlands - A Threat to Energy Savings?
Marco Kavelaars
Novem B.V., Postbus 17, NL-6130 AA, Netherlands
Abstract
The growing popularity of halogen torchieres is a threat to achieved energy-savings in domestic lighting in The Netherlands. A recent study showed that 25% of the Dutch households own one or more torchieres and sales are growing. The average number of torchieres in these households is 1,57, or an overall average of 0.4 torchieres for Dutch households. An torchiere was found to burn 750 hours a year and to be dimmed for 80% of the time. The estimated average electricity consumption of torchieres is 56 kWh per household, 11% of the average annual electricity con-sumption for domestic lighting. Due to the relatively high penetration of 2.7 CFL?s per household, the electricity consumption of torchieres does not yet outnumber the estimated average annual savings by CFL?s of 100 kWh per household. But the annual sales of halogen torchieres are growing fast.
Estimates show that sales have risen from 600,000 in 1995 to 1,000,000 in 1997. Sales are expected to keep growing 25-30% each year. So before the year 2000 penetration could reach an average of 1,0 halogen torchiere per household. It was found that consumers are unaware of the high electricity consumption caused by torchieres and that there are no attractively designed, low cost and energy efficient alternatives available. So in order to stop this negative trend there is a need (1) to get energy efficient alternatives available for the domestic market and (2) to inform consumers on the energy aspects of halogen torchieres and energy efficient alternatives.
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