Stores and chains in Germany are seeing a massive increase in sales of traditional bulbs. Obi repor

Stunning new era of energy saving light bulbs in the EU starting 1 September. Unpopularity of compact fluorescent lamps, however, led many consumers and sellers in Germany hoarding traditional bulbs. How most disciplined nation in the world oppose the new EU rules, says the magazine "Der Spiegel".
September 1, the deadline for the implementation of the first phase of the EU ban on incandescent bulbs, approaching. And buyers, sellers and even museums hoarding of the precious commodity. Manufacturers do accumulate packets. The EU ban, adopted in March, the gradual replacement of traditional light bulbs with more energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (compact fluorescent bulbs - CFL). On September 1, the first to go from one hundred watts bulbs. According ban others will drop gradually until September 1, 2012.
Stores and chains in Germany are seeing a massive increase in sales of traditional bulbs. Obi reports a 27 percent increase in sales compared to the same period last year. Of Hornbach reported turn all the lights 40 percent increase. And, Max Bahr that demand stovatovite bulbs increased by 80%. According to the "Praktiker" been 150 percent.
"What happens is incredible," says Werner Wiesner, the head of Megaman - manufacturer of energy-saving bulbs. Wiesner tells how representatives recently saw a man in a store, a shopping cart full of all kinds of bulbs and paid more than 200 euros. turn all the lights "That's enough for the next 20 years." It seems hoarding phenomenon is not just a customer. The law only prohibits the manufacture turn all the lights and import of incandescent bulbs but not their sale. "We're Loaded," a spokesman of the "Praktiker".
And the funny thing is - at least in the short term - companies that produce the climate-killing bulbs enjoy spike in sales. According to research company GfK market between January and April 20, 2009 sale of incandescent light bulbs in Germany jumped 20 percent compared with the same period last year, while sales of energy-saving bulbs have shrunk by 2%.
Initially, turn all the lights the EU ban had to help 27 countries to reach their goals in energy efficiency and climate protection. Although they are much cheaper incandescent lamps have long been seen as wasteful, because only 5 percent of the energy consumed goes to the production of light, and the rest simply heated.
Users also had to feel a positive impact on their wallets. EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs has estimated that the average European household turn all the lights will save 50 per year on your electricity bills and the annual carbon dioxide emissions turn all the lights in Europe will decline by 15 million tons. But such laws on bent cucumbers, many mocked light bulb legislation as another example of European bureaucracy. Holger Krahmer, for example, MEP from Germany's business Free Democratic Party, accused the EU of imposing turn all the lights 'light bulb socialism. "
In fact, creating legislation, the EU consumer preferences and objections of many. For example, turn all the lights many complain that the light emitted by a CFL bulb is colder and less and that high-frequency flickering can cause headaches. There are also complaints about the mercury contained in CFL bulbs that no collection system in a convenient and environmentally friendly way. Allegedly, they can cause higher levels of radiation than allowed under international rules.
For some, the issue is of unfulfilled promises. Manufacturers of energy saving bulbs as justify higher prices by claiming that the new bulbs last much longer than the old ones. But a recent survey by the magazine Öko Test, which is aimed at protecting consumers and the environment, showed that 32 of 16 tested bulbs stop working turn all the lights after 6000 hours of use - or much earlier than the producers promise.
And, of course, there's the problem with the light bulbs emit. Many people complain that the light just is not bright enough and that changes colors. Hamburger Kunsthalle as recently placed an order for 600 incandescent bulbs to make sure we can continue to illuminate the works it displays in the time-honored way.
Aesthetic problem is not negligible. For Munich designer Ingo Maurer energy saving bulbs herald the decline in quality of life. "We recommend protests against the ban, civil disobedience and the timely hoarding of lighting"