China promotes energy saving bulbs

The government has announced it will provide subsidies to businesses and individuals who use energy saving bulbs.

The government says it will authorize the making of 50 million fluorescent bulbs at fixed prices every year. Companies can claim 30% on every energy saving bulb they buy. Individuals will be able to claim 50%.

Lu Wenbin from Nat'l Development & Reform Comm. said, "We will supervise the process for commercial and individual users. Any company found to cheat the system will no longer be eligible and will be publicly shamed."

Electricity used for lighting accounts for about 12% of total consumption. If all incandescent bulbs are replaced by fluorescent ones, it can help at least save 60% of electric power. But high prices has meant energy saving bulbs are mainly only used in major cities.

A Beijing consumer said, "Fluorescent bulbs are certainly more expensive than incandescent ones. But in the long run, energy saving bulbs can definitely save money."

Most people living in rural areas still prefer to use cheaper, incandescent bulbs.

A Shandong farmer said, "Ordinary bulbs cost one yuan each. Energy-saving bulbs are tens of times that - they're too expensive."

However, experts have done the calculations. They say energy saving bulbs save money too.

Hua Shuming from Nat'l Lighting Test Center said, "A fluorescent bulb has a life-span of 6,000 hours, while an incandescent one has only 1,000. A 13-watt energy saving bulb provides the same amount of light as a 60-watt bulb. It costs half a yuan for each kilowatt hour of electricity. In the long run, just one fluorescent bulb can save nearly 130 yuan."

And that, is a lot of energy and money saved.