"LED bulbs are 10 to 18 times energy efficient than tungsten bulbs and reduces electricity use by nearly 80%," Kahramaa explained in a statement while pointing out that lighting accounts for 10 to 15% of the total energy consumption of a building.
While a ban on the import and sale of 75 and 100 watt tungsten bulbs had come into effect in Qatar on May 1 this year, it is being expanded to 40 and 60 watt tungsten bulbs too from November 1.
"LED bulbs of 7, 11, 20 and 23 watts could replace tungsten lamps of 25, 60, 100 and 120, respectively," Kahramaa said.
The new appeal to switch to LED bulbs has been made in the wake of Kahramaa's ongoing five-year-old Tarsheed campaign, the national programme for conservation and energy efficiency, managed in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment.
The LED bulbs also produce less heat with no harmful carbon emissions compared to the tungsten bulbs. Hence LED bulbs are environment-friendly, more comfortable for eyes and better for the health of people, it was pointed out.
Energy consumption could also be reduced by utilising sunlight to the maximum. If interior walls are painted in light colours, natural light coming into the rooms will be enhanced.
Tarsheed’s law No.20 for the year 2015 stipulated that keeping a building’s external lights on between 7am and 4.30pm could invite a fine of QR10,000. The law also stipulates on the necessity of installing lighting timers in all buildings to control the external lighting in line with the adopted practices of Kahramaa.