Letters
Energy Saving Trust Major CFL Promoter
I was disappointed that your guest article "Large CFL Potential in European Homes" (IAEEL 3/96) gave no recognition of the significant role played by the Energy Saving Trust in promoting the use of energy efficient lighting in the UK.The Energy Saving Trust is a non-profit organization set up by the UK Government and the major UK energy companies. Its objective is to promote the efficient use of all forms of energy in the UK by individuals and small businesses, leading to an overall reduction in energy-related emissions including carbon dioxide.
Whilst the article provided an informative assessment of the effectiveness of programs in the nine countries covered by the SAVE-sponsored research project, there was no reference to the collective impact within the UK of the programs instituted by the Energy Saving Trust working in partnership with the Public Electricity Supply companies (PESs) of England, Scotland, and Wales. Since 1994, the PESs have invested around £18m in a variety of successful national and regional programs covering CFLs, as well as a further £2m for T12 to T8 lamp replacement,and electronic ballast promotion. To date some 4.9 million CFLs have been installed in homes, schools, and small businesses as a result of these programs. Our activities in the CFL category alone are estimated to have yielded energy savings of 2 250 GWh.
You may be interested to know that the Trust has also commissioned major market research exercises into the effects of our lighting programs. For example, one such recent piece of research, conducted in the homes of 4 000 people, showed that public awareness in the UK of CFLs had risen to 76% and that nearly one in five households now use CFLs. The cost of CFLs continues to be the most significant barrier to people buying and installing more CFLs in their homes.
The Trust has established good working relationships with both the lamp manufacturers and retailers, and we are continuing to develop and implement initiatives which seek to promote the take-up of energy-efficient lighting technologies, including running a pilot initiative in London in association with London Electricity plc which is aiming to promote low-cost, dedicated CFL luminaires for the home. We are also striving to improve the quality of CFLs through discussion with the lamp manufacturers at the same time as achieving reductions in their retail price.
Alex Rowe
Programme Manager, EST
Energy Saving Trust
11-12 Buckingham Gate London SW1E 6LB, UK