A three-year EU directive focussed on phasing out the sale and supply of traditional incandescent lightbulbs has finally seen sales of the non-sustainable lighting source outlawed across Europe. 

The multi-stage ban - which began in September 2009 and was completed on September 1st - has now ruled that low-wattage incandescents are no longer available for sale in the EU, with the 40W and 25W bulbs sold over the past year finally phased out. The restrictions that will force a move to more sustainable sources such as LED lighting is predicted to save 39 terawatt-hours of electricity across the EU each year by 2020.

"The phase-out has been very smooth," the Lighting Industry Association's Peter Hunt told the Guardian. "Concerns about poor performance of replacement bulbs have been proved wrong. The new LED replacements for halogen downlighters that have come on to the market over the past year work just as well, for example. Price is still a barrier, but that's coming down almost daily as volume increases."

However, despite the phased ban on incandescent use, the reduction in net energy spend across the grid has not been as drastic as was first hoped, with Mr Hunt saying such a cut would not become notable until more households switch from energy-saving replacements to LED light bulbs and fittings.

"There is a trend now to use more and more lighting in our homes," he said. "The popularity of halogen downlighters in homes has halted the decline in energy use. This will continue until LED downlighters become the norm."

So why the trend for more lighting? Well, it could well be an interior design thing. As Light IQ's Rebecca Weir notes, more lighting - in the form of lamps, under-cabinet and ambient lighting - is better suited to the wider range of close tasks we now undertake in our homes.

"Ensure that there is always good task lighting, whether from reading lamps or great under-cabinet lighting in a kitchen. This will reduce eye strain and create a more comfortable environment in which to live," she said.