Turn Out the Lights on Traditional Incandescent Bulbs

By Michael Gray

A little-noticed provision of the energy bill, which is expected to become law, phases out the 125-year-old bulb in the next four to 12 years in favor of a new generation of energy-efficient lights that will cost consumers more but return their investment in a few months. The new devices include current products such as compact fluorescents and halogens, as well as emerging products such as light-emitting diodes and energy-saving incandescent bulbs.

Under the measure, all light bulbs must use 25% to 30% less energy than today’s products by 2012 to 2014. The phase-in will start with 100-watt bulbs in October 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014. Also by 2014 the popular and widely used T-12 fluorescents will be phased out. By 2020, bulbs must be 70% more efficient. The new rules will save consumers $40 billion in energy and other costs from 2012 to 2030, avoid construction of 14 coal-fired power plants, and cut global-warming emissions by at least 51 million tons of carbon annually.

Compact fluorescent bulbs already meet the 70% efficiency standard. A compact fluorescent costs about $2, vs. about 50 cents for an incandescent. While an incandescent lasts about seven months, a fluorescent burns six times longer. It also saves about $5 a year in electricity costs, paying for itself in as little as four months. Other bulbs are emerging is the halogen that’s 30% more efficient than incandescent. Its advantage: It doesn’t emit the yellowish tints that can characterize fluorescents, and it can easily be used with a dimmer. Also in the pipeline: light-emitting diodes that cost much more but last about 12 years, and are mercury free. Light-emitting diode type bulbs and fixtures will pay for themselves in as little as three years, and they are available in a variety of lighting colors.

If every American home replaced just one light bulb with a light bulb that’s earned the ENERGY STAR, we would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year, save about $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to those from about 800,000 cars.

If you are serious about saving energy, the environment, and money… upgrades to your lighting is the fastest way to accomplish all three goals. Many electric utilities will provide rebates to businesses and homeowners, who upgrade their lighting. For more information or help will lighting solutions, contact Beehive Technical Services, “Your electrical energy experts”. Don’t forget to ask us about our other electrical energy services. You can contact Michael by email at: mike@beehiveelectric.com or call (575) 373-8539.