Dublin, Ireland – Royal Philips Electronics (AEX: PHI, NYSE: PHG) today announced that from July 2009 onwards it will stop selling electromagnetic gear in Philips branded luminaires in Europe. In addition, outdated TL fluorescent technologies will also be phased out gradually from the European product portfolio from September 1st, ahead of upcoming legislation. Modern, efficient and better quality TL products are already available and compliant with the future EU legislation due to come into force in 2010.
Following the call in 2006 for the lighting industry to phase out incandescent lamps from 2010 onwards, this new initiative is another big step that is being taken by Philips to promote lighting to increase cost savings and reduce the carbon footprint of the private and public sector. A switch-over from old lighting to modern systems will enable public authorities and corporations to promote people’s well-being and make significant savings on electricity consumption, thus lowering energy bills and reducing CO2 emissions.
Economical and ecological benefits
The announced actions will speed up adoption in the European lighting market of efficient, up-to-standard systems now, even before the legislation comes into force. This will bring forward annual savings of up to 70% in energy consumption. Companies and governments in Europe will be able to start saving a total of some 14 billion Euros in running costs per year. In today’s business climate this represents an important cost-saving benefit. It will lead to direct operational and financial savings and will also reduce indirect maintenance costs thanks to the longer lifetime of lighting products based on modern technology.
The environmental benefits include an annual reduction of 50 million tons in CO2 emissions per year.
Improved personal well-being
In addition to the economic and environmental benefits, modern lighting technologies also provide light of a better quality, which then has a positive impact on the well-being of people in public and private buildings. Modern, higher-quality lighting promotes personal health and boosts productivity. People feel better in light that is similar to natural daylight. New technologies can re-create natural environments indoors, and this increases productivity and improves personal well-being.
A simple switch to energy efficiency
These new steps are part of Philips’ ’Green Switch’ program to promote energy-efficient lighting solutions. The phasing-out of inefficient electromagnetic gear in luminaires and outdated fluorescent technology will speed up significantly the switch-over to modern, efficient lighting.
At present, the changeover rate to new systems is too low, causing an unnecessary waste of money and energy, and creating CO2 emissions that could otherwise be prevented. Non-residential buildings account for 60% of total energy consumption for lighting. Given that 80% of this indoor lighting is outdated and inefficient, at a changeover rate of less than 7% per year this means that in ten years’ time there will still be buildings in Europe using technologies that date back to before the 1960s.
Legislation and directives to stop these outdated technologies being commercially available are currently being developed by the European Union, but will not come into force until 2010. Philips has decided to act ahead of legislation by proactively ceasing to supply the inefficient electromagnetic gear in luminaires and outdated TL lamps that will be covered by the future EU legislation.
Alternative solutions
Alternatives to electromagnetic gear and outdated fluorescent lighting are already available and offer immediate and massive energy savings. There are multiple options available for switching over to energy-efficient indoor systems. Updating luminaires to incorporate smart optics and lighting controls, such as presence detection and daylight sensors, can save as much as 70% compared with the lighting that is currently in use in buildings in Europe. Savings of up to 40% can be made when old systems are replaced with modern Philips MASTER TL5 systems operated on electronic High Frequency gear. The easiest option is to switch to new technologies like Philips MASTER TL-D Eco lamps for an immediate saving of 10% in electricity consumption.