Cathar Country Info

With thanks to LFN Digestive

Are low energy bulbs worthwhile? Yes. And no. I think it depends on where and how you use them. Common complaints about them are that they are slow to emit light; the light quality is poor; and they are expensive. All of which can be true. In areas where you need instant light (w.c, front porch etc) they’re probably a waste of money because they’re not on long enough anyway. For areas where the lights are on for long periods (lounge etc), then they’re probably worthwhile. Reading lamps will need to give a good enough light to read from, so it’s touch and go as to whether you use normal lamps or not. It’s also worth thinking about heat...

The reason why old-fashioned bulbs get such a bad press is because they produce too much heat and not enough light for the energy they consume. If you like to curl up with a good book on winter evenings, the chances are that the heat from the reading lamp helps to keep you warm. Change the bulb to a low energy type, and you’ll be turning up the central heating to compensate. If anyone in the Green lobby can explain the logic of that, I’d be interested to hear it.

The delay in coming on can lead to a waste of electricity. In one house we manage, the hallway light takes so long to come on that when leaving the house I have to wait a couple of minutes to make sure I haven’t flicked the switch by mistake. As I often don’t return for a couple of weeks, the light could be on needlessly all that time. The word counterproductive springs to mind.

I’ve seen light bulbs that carry a ten year guarantee. Yeah, right. Who keeps receipts for light bulbs for ten years? Who’s to say that the store where you bought them will even exist in ten years? The warranty is, in truth, worthless.

Don’t forget – New Year = new batteries in the smoke and CO alarms.

As the economic crisis continues, the French Government is increasing the lower rate of TVA from 5.5% to 7% (though services to the disabled and one or two other exemptions will remain at 5.5%, including some foodstuffs). This seems simple enough and is unlikely to have a huge impact on anyone’s finances in itself, but it just might lead to one or two arguments. The rise takes effect on January 1^st. Invoices issued in 2011 will show 5.5%. However, if such invoices are not paid before December 31^st, then the new, higher rate will apply when paid in January onwards. Bear in mind that in UK the rate of VAT is determined by the date the invoice was issued. In France, the rate is determined by the date on which the invoice is paid.

Any devis issued at 5.5% may cause more confusion. If it is still valid after January 1^st, or was signed by you in 2011, the higher rate will apply provided the devis says something like ‘TVA will be charged at the current rate at the time of payment’. If this condition is not mentioned then you may have saved 1.5%. But you will probably fall out with the tradesman concerned.

So, if your friendly builder/electrician/plumber contacts you in 2012 asking for another 1.5%, he’s probably not robbing you. The same cannot be said of the taxman, but that’s a different matter.

But think of all the money you’ll save with those expensive energy saving bulbs...

GEOFF THE HANDYMAN

SARL Handyman France Siret No 500052701500019

Carcassonne area Comprehensive range of

Services from odd jobs to Management of Property.

Geoff the Handyman Tel: 0468 71 88 80 Tel: 0618 87 31 69

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website:http://www.handyman-france.com