New Year, New Bulbs

Ringing in the New Year means more changes in the light bulb world for 2014. Starting January 1, the last of the federal government’s new lighting standards take effect. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 included new standards for manufacturers to make light bulbs more efficient and to reduce the amount of energy needed to power them. This third phase-out we’re about to see affects some 40 watt and 60 watt general service incandescent bulbs.

            What does that mean for you? Choices. Basically, there are three different bulbs that will replace the older, less efficient ones. Compact fluorescents (CFL’s), LEDs, and halogen-insert incandescent bulbs. At Lighting Design, we have several different ones to choose from, so it’s a good idea to come in and ask questions. The CFL bulbs have come a long way from when they first came into the market. The color is better, and the prices have really dropped. However, they are not the right choice if you are using a dimmer switch. LED bulbs are the most efficient, and with wattages of less than 9 watts, use very little energy. Still, although prices are dropping and the long term energy costs are better, a lot of people have a problem paying that much up front for a bulb. They are a great choice for applications like undercabinet lighting. The halogen-insert bulbs are probably the best “baby step” choice for most people. They cost a little more than traditional bulbs, but the brightness and color is very comparable. And although the lifetime of the bulb isn’t much longer, they are about 29% more efficient.

The new choices will result in us all reading labels, too. We’re all used to reading nutrition labels on food products, and now light bulb packaging includes a Lighting Facts Label. While we are looking for the most vitamins and nutrients for the least amount of calories when it comes to food, with bulbs we want more brightness for less energy used. The label gives you facts like brightness (lumens), estimated energy costs, life expectancy of the bulb, and light appearance or color. For example, if you are searching for a bulb with the warm appearance of an old-style incandescent, choose a bulb that is 2700 Kelvin. And if you’d like the same brightness of your 60 watt bulb, choose a bulb with around 800 lumens.

While there has been an outcry of “banning bulbs,” the truth is that it is not that extreme. The government won’t come to your home and take your away bulbs. They are simply requiring manufacturers to create better, more efficient bulbs for all of us. Considering the technology that we’re used to is over 130 years old, I would say it is probably time for a change.