Opinion

EU HALOGEN BAN

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If you have an opinion about an issue concerning the electrical industry, let us know. Email nick.martindale@ redactive.co.uk

Mind the gap As next year’s ban on halogen lamps approaches, it would be a step backwards for the EU to bow to pressure to delay the move, says Billy Knight

Due to come into eff ect in 2016, the EU’s proposed ban on halogens has been met with criticism from some industry groups, which claim the LED market is not yet ready to fill the gap and meet demand. At best, this outlook is short-sighted; at worst, it has the potential to seriously put the brakes on the UK’s energy eff iciency progress.

If the ban goes ahead as planned in September next year, its critics argue that we’ll see a shortfall between supply and demand of quality, widely available and aff ordable household bulbs. Instead, they are calling for a delay until 2018, or even as late as 2020. However, in reality, there are leading brands out there that are already off ering the level and volume of product we need.

Thanks to heavy investment in R&D, supply chain management and marketing, LEDs are now mass market and are experiencing impressive growth. As the market matures, we’re seeing quality products take the lead – ones that off er long-term eff icient performance that more than justifies the initial investment.

While LEDs have traditionally been seen as more expensive, in recent years costs have come down significantly without compromising on quality and performance. And because LEDs operate at such a high eff iciency and have a lengthy lifespan, they will continue to deliver ongoing savings and reduce maintenance costs long after they have paid for themselves.

As a like-for-like retrofit replacement, LEDs operate at as much as 90 per cent less of the wattage of their halogen counterparts. With lighting making up around 20 per cent of the EU’s total energy use – and our legally binding 2020 emissions target looming – it’s not hard to imagine the huge knock-on impact that the halogen ban will have in terms of improving our energy performance.

It’s crucial for the LED industry – before and after the ban – that we make ourselves heard. If consumers aren’t aware of the features and benefits of LEDs, they won’t know the options available to them once halogens disappear. It’s up to manufacturers, electricians, contractors and merchants to pull together and communicate the true value of switching to quality LED solutions that will continue to deliver results long after 2016.

Billy Knight is trade director at LED Hut

IN FOCUS// LAWRENCE EARLY

If you are a small business or sole trader and would like to feature in In Focus, email nick.martindale@ redactive.co.uk

» Lawrence Early is founder of LCE Electrical Services

How did you come to work for yourself?

I have an electrical engineering degree and was in the corporate world for nearly 30 years in electronics businesses. When I got to 50 I decided I needed to do something diff erent so I did my City & Guilds and set myself up as a sole trader.

What work do you do?

It’s mainly domestic, consumer unit replacements and occasionally a full rewire, in and around the Chesterfield area. But a lot of it is smaller jobs with new kitchens or putting a new socket in a front room. I do some light industrial work too, usually with a friend of mine.

How do you find work?

I got on to the Derbyshire trusted trader scheme run by the council and that brings in a fair bit of business. It would be nice to have some regular contracts with builders but that can be hard to break into.

How has ELECSA helped?

It has opened doors. It’s vital you can certify your own work.

What’s been hardest?

I’m a bit of a stickler for the paperwork and do all the certificates properly, but hadn’t realised quite how much time that would take. Then there’s the invoicing, so it eats into the evenings.

What about the future?

I have no plans for big expansion, but I’d like to keep going for another 10 years or so.

And outside of work?

I run a microbrewery called Heath Village Brewery with a couple of friends. We supply beer festivals and a few pubs.