By now, most of you have probably heard about the incandescent light bulb phase-out starting this year (likely as a result of the ridiculous political bickering about the lighting legislation in the count-down to the end of 2011). However, a quick survey of your friends will reveal that few of us actually understand what it entails. The law is merely a way to encourage consumers to purchase more energy-efficient light bulbs – such as LEDs – that will save money and energy, both resources that we could all use more of at the moment. If you’re still unclear about what the incandescent phase-out means in terms of what kinds of light bulbs you’ll be able to find at stores in the coming years, or how you can switch to LED light bulbs while still maintaining the same quality and quantity of light supplied by your old incandescents, read on as we spell it out for you in our easy guide. And though we will be seeing less and less of Thomas Edison‘s most famous invention over the next few years, we think that even Mr. Edison would be swapping his incandescent bulbs for LEDs if he were alive today!
THE FACTS:
NOT A BAN – A PHASE-OUT
Despite what some Republicans have been claiming, the Energy Independence and Security Act does not ban incandescent light bulbs. Instead, it mandates that new light bulbs sold in stores be at least 25% more efficient than current models, and have labels on the front and back of packages to explain their brightness, annual operating costs and expected life span. Yes, that does mean that many incandescents will not make the cut as the energy standards get more stringent, but the legislation will give a huge boost to the U.S.’s energy efficiency and cut strain on our national grid.
THE PHASE-OUT TIMELINE FOR THE COMMON INCANDESCENT BULB
It’s called a phase-out for a reason. Only 100-watt incandescent bulbs will be cleared off of store shelves in 2012 (If these bulbs remain unsold, they can remain on shelves but retailers will not be able to restock/re-order these types of bulbs.) Then in 2013, the phase-out will apply to 75-watt incandescent bulbs and finally in 2014, the 40-watt and 60-watt incandescent bulbs will phased out. Other incandescent bulbs, like candles, decorative and reflector bulbs will also be affected.
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IF YOU WANT TO KEEP USING INCANDESCENTS, YOU CAN
If, for some reason, you love using energy-guzzling incandescent bulbs and want to continue using them, no law is going to stop you. In other words, no lighting police is going to come to your home and check in on what kind of bulbs you’re using. You’ll have a harder time finding incandescent bulbs in stores as time goes on and you’ll be wasting money and energy (traditional incandescent bulbs lose 90% of their energy as heat rather than light), but if you prefer to use incandescents and rack up a crazy energy bill, you will still be able find the energy-guzzlers in select stores for years into the future.
Infographic by Jill Fehrenbacher
If that last point hit close to home for you, you’re not alone. Many people are under the (false) impression that energy-efficient bulbs cast a “sickly” glow and just don’t have a warm ambiance. That might have been true in the past with certain types of compact fluorescent bulbs (which often have a greenish hue), but nowadays, there are many new high tech options for LED light bulbs that successfully mimic the brightness, amber color temperature and warm “feel” of your favorite filament bulb. Flip to the next page to see our recommendations on how to find the perfect LED replacement bulbs for your specific home lighting needs.
Lead image light bulb pic from Shutterstock
What’s the difference between a phase-out and a ban? Effectively, nothing. In a couple of years I will no longer be able to buy traditional incandescents. That’s a ban.
Why shouldn’t I be free to choose incandescents if I prefer them? The additional money I supposedly spend on them will help fund our supposedly strained energy grid.
It’s time for the regulation busybodies in this country to get off our backs and let us live our lives the way we choose.
Another issue for renters: Don’t forget to take any CFL or LED bulbs that you installed in permanent light fixtures with you when you move! Otherwise you’ll never see the full potential cost savings.
I had replaced several hallway, closet, and outdoor bulbs in my former rented home with CFL’s, but I kept the original incandescent bulbs I found in those fixtures. When it came time to move, I placed the old bulbs back in those fixtures. Hey, I spent over $240 on those bulbs! No way I was just going to leave them behind.
Again, I am in favor of saving energy and using CFL’s whenever possible, but let’s be fair and compare the best CFL and LED technology with the best incandescent technology. My high quality 57, 60, or 71-watt incandescent bulbs cost around $1.50-$2.00ea and last about 18-24 months depending upon the application, not less than a year like the super-cheap store brand bulb shown in the infographic. So that’s about 10-13 bulbs over 20 years, not 21 bulbs.
Curious…if a CFL bulb lasts approximately 6.6 yrs, why do I have to replace so many that are less than 1.5 years old?
One chart says a 60W bulb puts out 860 Lumens, then your article continues and says that a 6OW LED replacement bulb puts out the same 800 Lumens that a 60W incandescent bulb does…..60 Lumens is a pretty big difference.
Also all of this is irrelevant because you only mentioned energy savings. I would suspect a lot more people live paycheck to paycheck these days and they would take a $0.25 bulb over a $30 bulb every single time.
I replaced all of my bulbs with 100W CFL replacements 6500K. $14/ea and they started burning out in less than a year. I should have just gotten cheaper bulbs that last the same amount of time.
Hi Tcutri-
Did you read the above article? Depending on how many lightbulbs you have, you’ll save $200-$1000 a year in energy costs every year with LED bulbs + you only need to buy LED bulbs once, since they last 22 years, meaning you easily make the initial upfront cost back in a matter of months.
LED bulb prices will gradually drop as demand increases and economies of scale kick in, but it is going to be like computers and cell phones – it will take time.
I would have to take out a 2nd mortgage to replace all the bulbs in my house. No doubt there is an energy savings but from a life cycle cost standpoint it still doesn’t make sense. What is the prognosis on the future drop in LED prices?
I prefer the Lighting Science Definity A19 bulb, but Philips’ Ambient is excellent for most A-lamp replacements.
I ordered a bunch of LED bulbs, and when I got them the box was was labeled ‘do not use in enclosed fixtures. Almost every fixture in my house is enclosed, so I’m not sure what to get.
kjacquin: You are forgetting the energy savings… It’s a 24-pack of 60Ws versus one 12W LED. That means five times less energy consumption, so after 20 years it will have more than paid back.
I started replacing my CFL’s with LED’s 5 years ago. My utility bill went down 40%. Energy consumption went down 30%. At that time LED’s were about $50 each and were not dimmable. Now you can buy some for $20 each that are dimmable.
This is great! I think with the soaring energy cost, making little changes like this should be on everyones mind. However, your phase-out timeline and handy facts should give them even more reason to make the big switch.
Perhaps some will be interested to read about these recent lamp / bulb comparisons…
http://www.marco.org/2012/04/09/led-light-bulbs-reviewed
http://www.marco.org/2012/04/21/lighting-science-definity-omni-v2
I am all about saving where I can. The issue is that the energy bulbs are still expensive. The images show 21 normal bulbs for 20 years and 1 LED for 20 years. Out of pocket cost is still way different. I can get a 24 pack of 60W incandescent bulbs under $15 when 1 LED is around $25+/-. Once I see the price lower I will be happy to switch.
I love that you point out that energy-efficient bulbs can give off warm lighting – no more excuses to stop buying incandescent!
Great tips, thanks!
This is a great guide – I’ll have to start swapping my bulbs.
thanks for this! i’m definitely going to make the switch, it saves money & energy!
Just bought a 10 watt Phillips L_prize bulb with the local utility taking $20 off.
Very useful info. I’m anxious to try the Philips AmbientLED.
Great tips. Planning on decking out my lighting fixtures with LEDs.
Great post! Important for everyone to learn about… spreading the word!
Wow super informative and helpful I’ve been trying to make the switch myself, and this makes things a lot easier.