It’s the end of the line for the 60 watt bulb. Last year, the 75 watt version was banned and from September 1 2012 it’s curtains for all conventional light bulbs. Do we care?

The Telegraaf allows reader comments on the European Commission’s decision to ban the bulb and, predictably, bulb lovers come out in force. The fact that the lamp generates more heat than light – the main reason for the ban- is welcomed. ‘That heat is very welcome in winter’, one reader writes while another claims the energy saving bulbs ‘give me allergies, itchy skin and rashes. Fortunately, I have bulbs for the next five years.’
Stampede
NOS Nieuws goes one better than most newspapers and asked various shop owners and chains if their bulbs have been snapped up because of today’s deadline. It turns out that bulb aficionados ‘have been hoarding for the last two years’. A HEMA spokesperson says the bulb department hasn’t been busier, mainly because the 40 watt lamp is still available and is much more widely sold. He thinks that, come next year, a 40 watt bulb stampede is more likely.
DIY chain Praxis thinks is still ‘too light’ for people to be too concerned about bulb buying. Also ‘people aren’t even aware of the fact that the 60 watt bulb is history’, a spokesman says.
People who buy at Karwei care for the environment: the chain stopped selling all conventional bulbs over a year ago. ‘Our clients want to save energy and are not going to use environmentally dodgy bulbs’, a Karwei manager says.
But what about the alternatives?
Gezellig
‘There are energy saving bulbs in all shapes and sizes. The eco halogen lamp is the most popular alternative for the 60 watt bulb, the big chains claim. Small shop owners are not so sure: ‘Different sized or coloured bulbs are very expensive. Led lamps are durable but costly too. Prices vary from €5 to €40.’
A very Dutch concern is the lack of ‘gezelligheid’, or ‘coziness’. There are few energy saving bulbs that are dimmable.
Telegraaf readers also comment that sitting around the table in the cold glare of a led light bulb is not their idea of cozy.
Fortunately, all is not lost. The bulbs used for Christmas lighting are exempt from the ban. Gezellig.