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Free bulbs 'could be left unused' Free bulbs 'could be left unused'
(about 9 hours later)
Many energy-saving light bulbs given out free to the public could be left unused, the government has admitted.Many energy-saving light bulbs given out free to the public could be left unused, the government has admitted.
Energy suppliers have sent households around 200m bulbs as part of the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target scheme, a consultation paper revealed. Energy suppliers have sent households about 200 million bulbs as part of the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target scheme, a consultation paper revealed.
The government acknowledged concerns many were not being used because they only had one type of fitting. It plans to phase out distribution by January.The government acknowledged concerns many were not being used because they only had one type of fitting. It plans to phase out distribution by January.
Energy suppliers' research suggests that 6% of the bulbs will be unused.Energy suppliers' research suggests that 6% of the bulbs will be unused.
The government launched its emissions reduction targets for energy suppliers in April 2008. It is ploughing £3.5bn into the scheme (Cert) over four years.The government launched its emissions reduction targets for energy suppliers in April 2008. It is ploughing £3.5bn into the scheme (Cert) over four years.
Firms are being encouraged to subsidise households' efforts to install loft or cavity wall insulation and to give out home energy advice, with an emphasis on the homes of low-paid and elderly people.Firms are being encouraged to subsidise households' efforts to install loft or cavity wall insulation and to give out home energy advice, with an emphasis on the homes of low-paid and elderly people.
As part of the Department of Energy and Climate Change programme, ministers anticipated firms would send out an average of four bulbs to all homes.As part of the Department of Energy and Climate Change programme, ministers anticipated firms would send out an average of four bulbs to all homes.
ConcernsConcerns
However, after consulting the industry, it admitted in a report: "We are concerned that the number of bulbs already directly distributed in Cert has been so high - reaching an average of eight per household.However, after consulting the industry, it admitted in a report: "We are concerned that the number of bulbs already directly distributed in Cert has been so high - reaching an average of eight per household.
"We also understand that some households have received more than an average number."We also understand that some households have received more than an average number.
"There is an increasing risk to carbon savings under the scheme where lamps are not used [or] are installed on low-use light fittings.""There is an increasing risk to carbon savings under the scheme where lamps are not used [or] are installed on low-use light fittings."
It was forced to reduce its estimates of the resultant emissions savings by 5% to 23% and admitted monitoring had not been good enough.It was forced to reduce its estimates of the resultant emissions savings by 5% to 23% and admitted monitoring had not been good enough.
The Energy Retail Association says it is disappointed the policy is being phased out.The Energy Retail Association says it is disappointed the policy is being phased out.