B.C. Hydro says incandescent bulbs still widely used despite efforts to phase them out

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WATCH: While British Columbian’s move to become more efficient they’re not quite ready to dim the lights on incandescent bulbs. Luisa Alvarez reports.

A survey from B.C. Hydro sheds light on the wide use of old incandescent light bulbs despite federal rules to put them in the dark in favour of compact fluorescent or LED lights.

The utility says 78 per cent of British Columbians have at least one incandescent bulb, with an average of 17 bulbs B.C. Hydro calls “inefficient” in those homes.

Mike McDougall with Mclaran Lighting in Victoria says it’s probably going to a while before that number gets to zero.

“If you’ve got incandescent lights in your home and they aren’t burnt out, there’s no real motivation to go out and replace them unless you really want that energy savings,” said McDougall.

Incandescent bulbs are the most widely used type in B.C. and even though retailers have phased out sales of most types of the bulbs, back stock is still available in certain stores.

When the federal government’s energy performance standards came into effect in 2014, stores that already had stock of the bulbs were allowed to sell it.

Mcdougall says it’s important for people to understand there is a big difference between the efficiency of the bulbs.

“LED bulbs are by far more efficient energy source for lighting you are going from a 60-watt bulb what the incandescent was to a six ,seven, eight, nine watt bulb, which far surpasses what the incandescent were for output and drops your consumption immensely,” said Mcdougall.

B.C. Hydro says residents are missing out on saving of nearly $1,000 over 10 years by not switching to LED lights.

The utility says longer-lasting LED bulbs use at least 75 per cent less energy and can go for up to 25 years.

The survey reports the average home has 40 bulbs and tubes, more than ever before.

Andy NealAndy Neal

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