A European Union-wide phase out of power-draining light bulbs to more energy efficient ones will start Tuesday, the European Commission said.

The new rules follow an agreement reached by the 27 EU governments last year to phase out the traditional incandescent light bulbs over three years starting this year to help European countries lower greenhouse gas emissions, the EU executive said Monday.

This aims to curb climate change and to reduce energy bills.

As of Tuesday, old standard frosted light bulbs and clear bulbs of 100 watts and more will no longer be manufactured or imported into the EU as part of the phase-out plan.

The traditional incandescent bulbs are being replaced by long-life fluorescent or halogen lamps.

Consumers will still be able to buy the older bulbs until supplies run out. The EU says the switch from incandescent bulbs to more efficient ones will bring energy savings of 25 per cent to 75 per cent compared to the traditional bulbs.

Pump up the economy

The EU's executive said the measure will save households up to €50 (US$71) a year and pump up to €10 billion (US$14 billion) into the economy.

The measure is part of a series of energy-saving measures planned by the EU to cut emissions of the greenhouse gases blamed for global warming and to reduce energy expenditure.

Several nations including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the Philippines have already announced they will phase out or restrict sales of traditional bulbs as well.

Energy-strapped Tajikistan also announced Monday it will ban the import of incandescent light bulbs in an effort to conserve power.

The move by the impoverished Central Asian country is meant to lessen Tajikistan's reliance on imported electricity.

Severe power shortages hit Tajikistan last winter after an import deal broke down. At the peak of the shortages, power was limited to 11 hours a day in the capital, Dushanbe, and about four hours a day elsewhere.

The incandescent bulb, which is little changed since Thomas Edison invented it in the 19th century, uses more power than energy-saving fluorescent light bulbs and halogen lamps.

- AP