Switch off ? The sale of halogen bulbs could be banned as part of the EU 's energy-saving drive . The sale of halogen bulbs which are used in millions of homes could be banned as early as next year as part of the EU ’ s energy-saving drive . It follows the prohibition of traditional incandescent bulbs , which have been phased out in an effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions . Millions of halogen bulbs are sold in Britain every year , often for use in kitchen and bathroom spotlights . Any ban could consequently cause enormous inconvenience . The European Commission and green campaigners say halogens are not much more efficient than traditional bulbs so should be replaced by energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs – known as CFLs – and LEDs . Yet these alternatives can be as much as 15 times more expensive . There is the additional problem that some LEDs do not work with the dimmer switches and wiring circuits currently used by halogen bulbs , while CFLs can take up to five minutes to reach full brightness . The EC is due to hold a vote on the issue in April , when it could agree to go ahead with the proposed 2016 ban or push back the date to 2018 . Consumer group Which ? argued there are good reasons for a delay . A spokesman said : ‘ Half of Which ? members still have halogen bulbs in their home and more than two in five have halogen spotlights . Delaying the ban until 2018 would allow more time for some of the compatibility and user issues to be resolved. ’ And a campaign group of manufacturers called LightingEurope is demanding any ban on halogens is delayed until 2020 at the earliest , in order to minimise the impact on consumers and the industry . The group ’ s secretary general , Diederik de Stoppelaar , said : ‘ A phase-out before 2020 is going to be costly and inconvenient to consumers . The industry supports the change to more energy efficient lighting ... however , an earlier date does not allow for alternative developing technologies to be widely available. ’ But Which ? added that despite the inconvenience , there are some positives to switching . The new bulbs last longer and , because they are more energy efficient , they will cut electricity bills over time . Typically , halogens use 10 per cent less energy than incandescent bulbs , while CFLs use 60-80 per cent less and LEDs up to 90 per cent less . LED lights are so efficient that a 5-watt bulb is , in theory , equivalent to a 35-watt halogen . But while a typical 35-watt halogen spotlight costs about £1 , a 5-watt LED can be anything from £5 to £15 . The managing director of British lighting company BLT Direct , Steven Ellwood , supports the 2016 ban . He said : ‘ We understand the concerns of experts who want to delay the ban in order to iron out some issues . [ But ] implementing the ban sooner rather than later would see plenty of benefits for consumers , not to mention the environment. ’ Other advocates of the 2016 deadline argue that the energy savings for Britain as a whole could be so large that it would eliminate the risk of black-outs caused by the closure of old and run-down power stations . One analysis suggests that if all 27million homes reduced their need for lighting by 100 watts on winter evenings , this would cut peak energy demand by 5 per cent .
Follows ban of incandescent bulbs in bid to cut greenhouse gas emissions . Campaigners say halogens not much more efficient than traditional bulbs . So should be replaced by energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs . But these alternatives ( known as CFLs and LEDs ) can be Half times more expensive .