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Some governments around the world have passed measures to improve the energy efficiency of light bulbs used in homes and businesses. In the United States, this effectively bans current incandescent light bulbs for general lighting. The aim is to force the use and technological development of more energy-efficient lighting alternatives, such as compact fluorescent lamp (CFLs) and LED lamps. Manufacturers in the United States, at least, will still be free to produce future versions of incandescent bulbs if they are more energy efficient.
Brazil and Venezuela started to phase out incandescent bulbs in 2005,[1] and the European Union, Switzerland,[2] andAustralia[3] started to phase them out in 2009.[4]
Likewise, other nations are implementing new energy standards or have scheduled phase-outs: Argentina,[5] Russia, andCanada in 2012,[6] and the United States and Malaysia in 2014.[7]
In the United States, there has been widespread consumer misunderstanding of what the legislation entails. [8]
In general, resistance to phasing out incandescent light bulbs centers on the public's preference for the quality of light produced from incandescents,[9]. Some say that the free market is preferable to regulation, while others say that only government intervention will improve energy efficiency. There are also environmental concerns about mercury contaminationwith CFLs. However, recycling of CFLs greatly reduces releases, and at least where power is derived from coal there is lower mercury release even if the bulbs end up in landfills.[10] Formerly, instant availability of light was an issue for CFLs, but newer CFLs are available with an Instant On feature, as well as a wide variety of correlated color temperatures.CFLs and LEDs labeled for dimmer control are also becoming available, although typically at higher cost.
Regional developments
Asia
People's Republic of China
China will ban imports and sales of certain incandescent light bulbs starting October 2012 to encourage the use of alternative lighting sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), with a 5-year plan of phasing-out incandescent light bulbs over 100 watts starting October 1, 2012, and gradually extend the ban to those over 15 watts on October 1, 2016.[11]Another source, however, has indicated that by October 1, 2016, all incandescent light bulbs will be banned.[12] According to this source, November 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012 will be a transitional period and as of October 1, 2012, imports and sales of ordinary incandescent bulbs of 100 watts or more will be prohibited. The first phase will be followed by a ban on 60-watt-and-higher incandescent light bulbs starting in October 2014. By October 2016, all incandescent light bulbs will be banned in China. The final phase may be the adjusted according to the results of interim assessment from October 2015 to October 2016.
India
While not a complete ban, the plan is to replace 400 million incandescent light bulbs with CFLs by 2012. The energy savings and resultant carbon emissions savings is expected to be around 55 million tonnes per year.[13]
The states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in India have banned the use of incandescent bulbs in government departments, public sector undertakings, various boards, cooperative institutions, local bodies, and institutions running on government aid.[14][15]
Philippines
In February 2008, president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo called for a ban of incandescent light bulbs by 2010 in favor of more energy-efficient fluorescent globes to help cut greenhouse gas emissions and household costs during her closing remarks at the Philippine Energy Summit. Once put in effect, the country will be the first in Asia to do so.[16]
Malaysia
The Government will stop all production, import and sales of incandescent light bulbs by or before January 2014, as part of efforts to save power and to help cut greenhouse gas emissions.[7]
Israel
Phase out of 60W and over incandescent lightbulbs has been implemented from 1 January 2012. As a measure to increase awareness a national awareness campaign has been initiated by the Ministry of Energy where 3 CFLs will be sold at a subsidized price to the public.[17]
Europe
European Union
The initial Europe wide ban only applies to general-purpose, non-directional incandescent bulbs, so does not affect any bulbs with reflective surfaces (e.g. spotlights and halogen down lighters) or special purpose bulbs including those used in devices such as household appliances, traffic lights, and infrared lamps. The sale of the most inefficient bulbs will be phased out. The first types to go are non-clear (frosted) bulbs, which are off the market since September 2009. Also from September 2009 clear bulbs over 100W were made of more efficient types. This limit was moved down to lower wattages, and the efficiency levels raised by the end of 2012.[18]
In practice, the "ban" is fictious because the bulbs are still available on the market, just marketed as "rough-service" or "shock-resistant" bulbs[19]. Since first bans were introduced however, prices of these bulbs have risen by 20-25%[20].
Also, the EU has given the target of 2016 to phase out halogen bulbs, and any bulb available for purchase after the 2016 date must have at least a 'B' energy rating.[21]
Finland
The Finnish parliament discussed banning sales of incandescent light bulbs by the beginning of 2011.[22]
Ireland
The Irish government was the first European Union (EU) member state to announce a ban on the sale of incandescent light bulbs.[23] It was later announced that all member states of the EU agreed to a progressive phase-out of incandescent light bulbs by 2012.[24]
Switzerland
Switzerland banned the sale of all light bulbs of the Energy Efficiency Class F and G, which affects a few types of incandescent light bulbs. Most normal light bulbs are of Energy Efficiency Class E, and the Swiss regulation has exceptions for various kinds of special-purpose and decorative bulbs.[2][25]
United Kingdom
The UK government announced in 2007 that incandescent bulbs would be phased out by 2011.[26] The UK followed the EU-wide ban on 60w incandescent bulbs that came into effect on 1 September 2011;[27] 40w and lower ratings will be phased out in 2012[citation needed]. In the UK a program is run by the Energy Saving Trust to identify lighting products that meet energy conservation and performance guidelines;[28] the intent of the program is to reduce consumer concerns due to variable quality of products.
Poland
Sales of incandescent bulbs were gradually limited since 2009, starting from 100 Watt bulbs. Over years 2009-2012 sales of other typical power ranges (75W, 60W) were limited. In September 2012 finally sales of 40W and weaker bulbs is limited. The limit doesn't actually prohibit sales of incandescent bulbs, but requires that the bulbs are clearly marked as "not suitable for home use". The incandescent bulbs of all powers are still available but they are officially sold as "shock-resistant bulbs" or under other names suggesting their industrial usage[29], just as in other EU countries[19].
North America
Canada
The provincial government of Nova Scotia stated in February 2007 that it would like to move towards preventing the sale of incandescent light bulbs in the province.[30]
In April 2007, Ontario's Minister of Energy Dwight Duncan announced the provincial government's intention to ban the sale of incandescent light bulbs by 2012.[31] Later in April, the federal government announced that it would ban the sale of inefficient incandescent light bulbs nation-wide by 2012 as part of a plan to cut down on emissions of greenhouse gases.[32] On Nov 9, 2011, the federal government approved a proposal to delay new energy efficiency standards for light bulbs until Jan. 1, 2014, when it will become illegal to import inefficient incandescent lighting across the country.[33][34] In Dec 2011, Ontario Energy Minister [Chris Bentley] confirmed that Ontario is scrapping the five-year-old promise "to avoid confusing consumers".[35]
The Energy Star program, in which Natural Resources Canada is a partner, in March 2008 established rules for labeling lamps that meet a set of standards for efficiency, starting time, life expectancy, color, and consistency of performance. The intent of the program is to reduce consumer concerns about efficient light bulbs due to variable quality of products.[36] Those CFLs with a recent Energy Star certification start in less than one second and do not flicker.
In January 2011, the province of British Columbia banned retailers from ordering 75- or 100-watt incandescent bulbs.[37]
The nation's Energy Efficiency Regulations are published on the Natural Resources Canada website.[38]
Cuba
Cuba exchanged all incandescent light bulbs for CFLs, and banned the sale and import of them in 2005.[1]
United States
Individual state efforts
California will phase out the use of incandescent bulbs by 2018 as part of bill by California State Assembly member Jared Huffman (D-Santa Rosa) that was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on October 12, 2007. The bill aims to establish a minimum standard of twenty-five lumens per watt by 2013 and sixty lumens per watt by 2018.[39][40]
Connecticut legislation was proposed by state Representative Mary M. Mushinsky (D-Wallingford).[41][42]
New Jersey Assemblyman Larry Chatzidakis introduced a bill on February 8, 2007 that calls for the state to eliminate incandescent bulbs in government buildings over the next three years. Chatzidakis said, "The light bulb was invented a long time ago and a lot of things have changed since then. I obviously respect the memory of Thomas Edison, but what we're looking at here is using less energy."[43]
Federal legislation
In December 2007, the federal government enacted the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which contains maximum wattage requirements for all general service incandescent lamps producing from 310–2600 lumens of light.[44] However, these regulations never became law, as another section of the 2007 EISA bill overwrites them, and thus, current law, as specified in the U.S. Code, "does not relate to maximum wattage requirements."[45]
The efficiency standards will start with 100-watt bulbs and end with 40-watt bulbs. The timeline for these standards was to start in January 2012, but on December 16, 2011, the U.S. House passed the final 2012 budget legislation, which effectively delayed the implementation until October 2012.[46]
Light bulbs outside of this range are exempt from the restrictions. Also exempt are several classes of specialty lights, including appliance lamps, rough service bulbs, 3-way, colored lamps, stage lighting, and plant lights.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program in March 2008 established rules for labeling lamps that meet a set of standards for efficiency, starting time, life expectancy, color, and consistency of performance. The intent of the program is to reduce consumer concerns about efficient light bulbs due to variable quality of products.[36] Those CFLs with a recent Energy Star certification start in less than one second and do not flicker. Energy Star Light Bulbs for Consumers is a resource for finding and comparing Energy Star qualified lamps.
By 2020, a second tier of restrictions would become effective, which requires all general-purpose bulbs to produce at least 45 lumens per watt (similar to current CFLs). Exemptions from the Act include reflector flood, 3-way, candelabra, colored, and other specialty bulbs.[47]
In 2011, Rep. Joe Barton of Texas and 14 other Republicans joined to introduce the Better Use of Light Bulbs Act or BULB Act (H.R. 91), which would have repealed Subtitle B of Title III of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Barton was opposed to regulation, while Rep. Michael Burgess pointed to jobs purportedly lost to China and voiced a fear of mercury problems resulting from CFL use.[48] On July 12, 2011, H.R. 2417 failed to pass by the required two-thirds[clarification needed] majority in the U.S. House.[49]
In October 2012, conventional 100-watt bulbs were no longer made, but AAMSCO of Summerville, South Carolina began making a bulb in Mullins, South Carolina that followed the rules but was intended for businesses, harder to break with "non-hazardous materials" inside.[50]
Oceania
Australia
In February 2007, Australia enacted a law that will, in effect, by legislating efficiency standards, disallow most sales of incandescent light bulbs by 2010.[51] The Australian Federal Government announced minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for lighting products. The new minimum standard efficiency level is 15 lumens per watt (lm/W). From November 2008, no non-compliant lighting (including some incandescent globes) were imported intoAustralia, and from November 2009, the retail sale of non-compliant lighting was banned.[52] According to the current proposal,[53] all regular light bulbs and some other kinds of light bulbs sold from October 2009 have to meet the new minimum energy performance standards. Incandescent light bulbs that meet the new standards, for example high-efficiency halogen bulbs, continue to be available.[54]
It is estimated that greenhouse gas emissions will be cut by 800,000 tonnes (Australia's current emission total is 564.7 million tonnes), a saving of approximately 0.14%.[55]
There have been some initiatives to encourage people to switch to compact fluorescent lamps ahead of the phase out.[56]
New Zealand
In February 2007, then Climate Change Minister David Parker, Labour party, announced a similar proposal to the one in Australia,[57] except that importation for personal use would have been allowed.[58] However, this proposal was scrapped by the new government in December 2008.[59]
South America
Argentina
In Argentina, selling and importing incandescent light bulbs has been forbidden since 31 December 2010.[60]
Venezuela
As part of its electricity conservation program, Venezuela has a light bulb exchange program, which aims to replace millions of incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents.[61]
Global
As part of global efforts to promote efficient lighting, United Nations Environment Programme with the support of the GEF Earth Fund, Philips Lighting and OSRAM GmbH has established the en.lighten initiative. The initiative seeks to accelerate global commercialization and market transformation of efficient lighting technologies by working at the global level and providing support to countries. In doing so it aims at promoting high performance efficient technologies, phasing out inefficient lighting technologies, and substituting traditional fuel-based lighting with modern, efficient alternatives, with consideration for environmentally sound technologies (including mercury-free).
Public opposition
The phase out has been referred to as "light bulb socialism".[62] The consumer preference for light bulbs in the EU is for incandescent bulbs, with many complaining about what was described as the ugliness[63][64] or the cold, flat, unnatural, dull light emanating from CFLs.[62][65][66][67][68][69]Objection has also been raised to being forced to adopt CFLs.[70]
Bulk purchasing of incandescent bulbs was reported ahead of the EU lightbulb ban. Many retailers in Britain, Poland, Austria, Germany and Hungary have reported bulk purchasing,[63][65][71][72][73] and in Germany, sales rose by up to 150% in 2009 in comparison to 2008.[62] Two-thirds of Austrians surveyed stated they believe the phase-out to be "nonsensical", with 53.6% believing their health to be at risk of mercury poisoning.[74] 72% of Americans believe the government has no right to dictate which light bulb they may use.[75] The Czech Republic President, Vaclav Klaus, urged people to stockpile enough incandescent bulbs to last their lifetime.[76]
Museums and individuals have been stockpiling incandescent lightbulbs in Europe, owing to CFLs' inferior colour representation.[67][77] The European Association for the Co-ordination of Consumer Representation in Standardisation has called for a speedy reduction of the mercury levels contained within CFLs from the current 5mg limit to 1 mg.[78] The European Consumers' Organisation, BEUC, said that phasing out incandescent bulbs will be detrimental for people suffering light-related health issues,[79] and called for the continued availability of incandescent bulbs:
"The EU Regulation falls short of the needs of some consumers who need to use the old-style light bulbs for health-related reasons such as light sensitivity. We call on the European Commission to take immediate measures to ensure that people who rely on incandescent light bulbs will be able to buy these bulbs until suitable alternative lighting technologies are available. There are also concerns about the risks to health from the high mercury content of the new bulbs."[80]
A campaign group called SPECTRUM was formed by the charities Lupus UK, Eclipse Support Group, ES-UK, XP Support Group and The Skin Care Campaign as an 'alliance for light sensitivity' to oppose 'UK and EU plans to phase out incandescent lightbulbs'.[81] Their campaign has been picked up and amplified by the British Association of Dermatologists, calling for access to incandescent light bulbs for those who are medically sensitive to CFLs and other non-incandescent bulbs,[82] and the charity Migraine Action, stating that its members still suffer adverse effects from CFLs despite protestations from the light bulb industry.[83]
In the United States, one supporter of the incandescent light bulb is the lighting designer Howard Brandston, a fellow of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America and Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers. He has attempted to raise awareness of what he believes are negative effects of the phase out through media outlets and industry forums,[84][85][86][87] and he was invited as one of six experts to testify before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on March 11, 2011.[88][89]
Environmental and health concerns
CFLs, like all fluorescent lamps, contain small amounts of mercury[90][91] as vapor inside the glass tubing, averaging 4.0 mg per bulb.[92] A broken compact fluorescent lamp will release about 4% of its mercury content. Safe cleanup of broken compact fluorescent lamps is different from cleanup of conventional broken glass or incandescent bulbs.[93] After a proper cleanup, any potential short term exposure offers no significant health risks to adults, including pregnant women, or to children.[94] If all electricity was generated by a coal power plant (which produce about half the electricity the U.S. consumes) and fluorescent light bulbs were all recycled with no mercury being lost, nearly 75% less mercury could be released in power plant emissions if incandescent bulbs were replaced by fluorescents, and with significantly less total mercury release even if no recycling occurred.[95] However, a concern is that broken bulbs will introduce the mercury directly into a populated indoor area.[96] Though more recent analysis indicates that the concerns about mercury release from broken bulbs may be overstated, and can be ameliorated by taking a few simple steps.[97]
No mercury is used in the manufacturing of LED lamps, a different technology replacement for incandescent lamps.[98] In addition, LED lamps do not require warmup time in cold weather, and in fact, perform better in colder temperatures, making them an excellent choice for use in cold locations, such as refrigeration units.[99] LED lighting also better matches the wavelengths of light to which our eyes are most sensitive in low-light conditions, providing a low energy lighting option for street lighting, outdoor floodlighting, etc.[100]
Cost
The cost of CFLs and LEDs are higher than incandescent light bulbs. Typically this extra cost is repaid in the long-term, as both use less energy[101] and have longer operating lives than incandescent bulbs, although some CFL manufacturers have consistently overestimated the actual usable lifetime of their lights.[102] However there are some areas where the extra cost of a CFL may never be repaid, typically where bulbs are used relatively infrequently such as in little-used closets and attics.[103]
Dimmers
Some CFLs may not be compatible with existing dimming circuits, although more dimmable CFLs are expected to become available as the phase-outs continue.[104] Mains voltage halogen bulbs provide a more efficient dimmable alternative to common incandescent bulbs and are readily available.[105]
Dimmable LED lamps are available from several vendors, although not all LED lamps are compatible with dimmers and their color temperature may not lower, as it does with incandescents.
Alternatives to incandescent bulbs
An incandescent lamp approximates to a Planckian locus spectral distribution. Some of the proposed alternatives use phosphors to produce light and have significantly irregular spectral distributions, which can result in colour casts in photography and failures of colour matching when compared to incandescent produced light or daylight.[106] Moreover, improved phosphor formulations have improved the perceived color of the light emitted by CFLs, and some sources now rate the best "soft white" CFLs as subjectively similar in colour to standard incandescent lamps.[107]
Halogen lamps are however, widely available for those wishing to use energy-saving incandescent bulbs and although not as energy efficient as some of the alternatives, they are up to 45 percent more efficient that standard incandescent lamps (up to 70 percent for low voltage halogen bulbs).[108]
The first widely available replacements for incandescent light bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps, are now (as of 2010) joined by two alternative technologies - light-emitting diode lamps (LED) and electron stimulated luminescence (ESL) lamps. Both LED and ESL technologies are mercury-free, eliminating the need for special disposal or handling, and both have long lives when compared to incandescent bulbs.
LED lamps are used for both general and special-purpose lighting. Where colored light is needed, LEDs come in multiple colors, which are emitted with no need for filters, and also produce a more robust color than incandescent bulbs. This improves the energy efficiency over a white light source that generates all colors of light then discards some of the visible energy through a filter.
Compared to fluorescent bulbs, advantages for LED light bulbs are that they contain no mercury, that they turn on instantly, and that lifetime is unaffected by cycling on and off, so that they are well suited for light fixtures where bulbs are often turned on and off. LED light bulbs are also less apt to break.[109]
Electron stimulated luminescence technology is about 70 percent more energy efficient than incandescent lamps, and are rated to last up to five times longer than incandescent lamps. ESL lamps produce light by stimulation of a phosphor, a technology used in cathode ray tubes, and produce light of a similar quality. |
