Say Goodbye To Incandescent Bulbs As Government Ban Takes Effect

[Cebu_4_2]

Say Goodbye To Incandescent Bulbs As Government Ban Takes Effect

 December 30, 2013 by Ben Bullard (http://personalliberty.com/author/benbullardpl/)

http://plnami.blob.core.windows.net/media/2013/12/140446480-300x300.jpg
PHOTOS.COM

A law signed by President George W. Bush is set to enter its final phase in a long-term plan by Congress to phase the simple incandescent light bulb out of existence. Starting in 2014, you won’t be able to legally get your hands on household 60-watt and 40-watt incandescent bulbs.

Some artists, architects, photographers and people who do specialized work in medicine, engineering, research and other demanding fields prefer incandescent bulbs (http://momentofluxury.com/BlogHouston.aspx?BlogId=B7) for the quality or the stability of the light they produce (http://www.canon.com/technology/s_labo/light/002/02.html), despite their relative inefficiency compared to fluorescent and LED bulbs. Others question (http://www.richsoil.com/CFL-fluorescent-light-bulbs.jsp) the benefit of alternatives to incandescent bulbs in saving energy or preventing environmental damage.

Standards outlined in the Energy Independence and Security Act, which Bush signed in 2007, make it illegal to manufacture or import 40- and 60-watt incandescent bulbs into the United States after Dec. 31 of this year, leaving it up to stores to sell off what they have left. Those same standards have already phased out the 100-watt bulb (in 2012) and 75-watt bulbs (this year).

And while the change was set in place in the name of conservation, critics argue Congress and the President ignored the role of free choice when they agreed to limit American consumers’ options. If the incandescent bulb is so bad, they argue, the free market will eventually drive them into marginal use anyway — just as film cameras still exist, but have been roundly eclipsed by digital cameras in the hands of average consumers.

According to The Heritage Foundation (http://blog.heritage.org/2013/12/26/time-to-stock-up-on-incandescent-bulbs-before-they-go-out-permanently/), the flap over phasing out incandescent bulbs reflects the government’s increasingly statist role in tinkering with even the smallest choices of American citizens:


Proponents of government-imposed efficiency standards and regulations will say, “So what? There are still plenty of lighting options on the shelves at Home Depot; we’re saving families money; and we’re reducing harmful climate change emissions.”

The “so what” is that the federal government is taking decisions out of the hands of families and businesses, destroying jobs, and restricting consumer choice in the market. We all have a wide variety of preferences regarding light bulbs. It is not the role of the federal government to override those preferences with what it believes is in our best interest.

Families understand how energy costs impact their lives and make decisions accordingly. Energy efficiency has improved dramatically over the past six decades — long before any national energy efficiency mandates.

If families and firms are not buying the most energy-efficient appliance or technology, it is not that they are acting irrationally; they simply have budget constraints or other preferences such as comfort, convenience, and product quality. A family may know that buying an energy-efficient product will save them money in the long term, but they have to prioritize their short-term expenses. Those families operating from paycheck to paycheck may want to opt for a cheaper light bulb and more food instead of a more expensive light bulb and less food.

Some may read this and think: Chill out — it’s just a light bulb. But it’s not just a light bulb. Take a look at the Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program. Basically anything that uses electricity or water in your home or business is subject to an efficiency regulation.

When the market drives energy efficiency, it saves consumers money. The more the federal government takes away decisions that are better left to businesses and families, the worse off we’re going to be.

[EE_]

Say Goodbye To Incandescent Bulbs As Government Ban Takes Effect

*December 30, 2013 by Ben Bullard (http://personalliberty.com/author/benbullardpl/)

http://plnami.blob.core.windows.net/media/2013/12/140446480-300x300.jpg
PHOTOS.COM

A law signed by President George W. Bush is set to enter its final phase in a long-term plan by Congress to phase the simple incandescent light bulb out of existence. Starting in 2014, you won’t be able to legally get your hands on household 60-watt and 40-watt incandescent bulbs.

Some artists, architects, photographers and people who do specialized work in medicine, engineering, research and other demanding fields prefer incandescent bulbs (http://momentofluxury.com/BlogHouston.aspx?BlogId=B7) for the quality or the stability of the light they produce (http://www.canon.com/technology/s_labo/light/002/02.html), despite their relative inefficiency compared to fluorescent and LED bulbs. Others question (http://www.richsoil.com/CFL-fluorescent-light-bulbs.jsp) the benefit of alternatives to incandescent bulbs in saving energy or preventing environmental damage.

Standards outlined in the Energy Independence and Security Act, which Bush signed in 2007, make it illegal to manufacture or import 40- and 60-watt incandescent bulbs into the United States after Dec. 31 of this year, leaving it up to stores to sell off what they have left. Those same standards have already phased out the 100-watt bulb (in 2012) and 75-watt bulbs (this year).

And while the change was set in place in the name of conservation, critics argue Congress and the President ignored the role of free choice when they agreed to limit American consumers’ options. If the incandescent bulb is so bad, they argue, the free market will eventually drive them into marginal use anyway — just as film cameras still exist, but have been roundly eclipsed by digital cameras in the hands of average consumers.

According to The Heritage Foundation (http://blog.heritage.org/2013/12/26/time-to-stock-up-on-incandescent-bulbs-before-they-go-out-permanently/), the flap over phasing out incandescent bulbs reflects the government’s increasingly statist role in tinkering with even the smallest choices of American citizens:


Proponents of government-imposed efficiency standards and regulations will say, “So what? There are still plenty of lighting options on the shelves at Home Depot; we’re saving families money; and we’re reducing harmful climate change emissions.”

The “so what” is that the federal government is taking decisions out of the hands of families and businesses, destroying jobs, and restricting consumer choice in the market. We all have a wide variety of preferences regarding light bulbs. It is not the role of the federal government to override those preferences with what it believes is in our best interest.

Families understand how energy costs impact their lives and make decisions accordingly. Energy efficiency has improved dramatically over the past six decades — long before any national energy efficiency mandates.

If families and firms are not buying the most energy-efficient appliance or technology, it is not that they are acting irrationally; they simply have budget constraints or other preferences such as comfort, convenience, and product quality. A family may know that buying an energy-efficient product will save them money in the long term, but they have to prioritize their short-term expenses. Those families operating from paycheck to paycheck may want to opt for a cheaper light bulb and more food instead of a more expensive light bulb and less food.

Some may read this and think: Chill out — it’s just a light bulb. But it’s not just a light bulb. Take a look at the Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program. Basically anything that uses electricity or water in your home or business is subject to an efficiency regulation.

When the market drives energy efficiency, it saves consumers money. The more the federal government takes away decisions that are better left to businesses and families, the worse off we’re going to be.


Is this for real...do I need to hit the store today and buy a case of bulbs?
Those fluorescent bulbs are expensive.

Is it okay to smash fluorescent bulbs before you send them to the landfill?

[Dogman]

Yep,

Oven and stove appliance lights will probably be untouched until they can find a replacement that can stand the heat.

[madfranks]

A month or so ago, my four year old son threw a ball in the house, hitting one of the can lights in the ceiling, shattering the bulb. Since it was incandescent, I shooed the kids away and swept up the debris. If that had been a fluorescent bulb, my home would have been covered in mercury dust. The EPA recommends, in the case of an accidental breakage of a fluorescent bulb, opening all the windows, turning off the forced air system, evacuating the home for a couple hours, then coming back with tape to collect the settled dust, and discard any clothing, blankets, shoes, upholstery that was in contact with the toxic dust. You can't put the clothes in a washing machine, because it won't remove the mercury. You have to throw them away. You can't sweep or use a vacuum to clean it up either, because it will agitate the air, spreading the toxic dust all over your home. Then, after using tape to clean every square inch of the breakage area, you have to place the toxic shards in a sealed glass container and take it to an authorized toxic disposal center.

And no, I'm not making that up. These mercury bulbs are toxic if they break!

[EE_]

The new bulbs should come with asprin for the headaches they give people

http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/fe/da/CFL_bulb_dees.jpg?itok=kfvlJfK-

[Libertytree]

I read an article last week about this, there was a spokesman for HD and he said they had a six month supply and wouldn't just quit selling them come Jan 1. I'm assuming all the big box stores are following suit, so to answer your question, yes stock up!

[Glass]

Banned in Australia a couple years now. Stock up as much as you can.

Incandecent - $0.60 ea
Compact Fluro - $3.60 ea CFL

CFL's last about the same time as incandescent so no benefit there. CFL's also fall apart as the glue fails. Been trying Hallogens. Same globe shape. The light is bit different to incandescent. not unpleasant and kind of older school.

[drafter]

The new bulbs should come with asprin for the headaches they give people

http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/fe/da/CFL_bulb_dees.jpg?itok=kfvlJfK-

And big pharma has a pill that can fix that for you. Isn't it funny how that works? You'd almost think that someone has a plan to screw with us.

[Cebu_4_2]

Is it okay to smash fluorescent bulbs before you send them to the landfill?

Absolutely not! You must break them in a box and quickly seal it. The package should be sent to:
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500
C/O Barry Soetoro

[AndreaGail]

I have about 50 bulbs in the varying 40,60,75 and 100 wattages

I'd never touch a CFL

[midnight rambler]

And big pharma has a pill that can fix that for you. Isn't it funny how that works? You'd almost think that someone has a plan to screw with us.

Yeah, almost.

[madfranks]

I really don't like the CFLs, so when my incandescent supply runs out, I think I'll probably opt for the LED lights, even though they're like $15 each.

[Dogman]

I really don't like the CFLs, so when my incandescent supply runs out, I think I'll probably opt for the LED lights, even though they're like $15 each.
Hate to lose them! CLF bulbs work very bad in cold weather outside. And as said they do burn out, maybe not as bad as the old kind but that depends on use.

I do like to use them in the house in the summer, less heat in the house for the a/c to remove.

Will go to led soon, counting on the power savings/less heat and lifetime they have. I have seen some that the color does not bother me.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Forum Runner

[skid]

You can still by rough service incandescent light bulbs almost anywhere, as well as high efficiency incandescent light bulbs at specialty lighting stores
http://www.newcandescent.com/
http://www.bulbscanada.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=57_138_457

[ximmy]

I really don't like the CFLs, so when my incandescent supply runs out, I think I'll probably opt for the LED lights, even though they're like $15 each.

I've been using LED's for the past two years now. Very efficient and I haven't had a failure on any of them yet.

[Shami-Amourae]

I really don't like the CFLs, so when my incandescent supply runs out, I think I'll probably opt for the LED lights, even though they're like $15 each.

I was planning on stocking up on them, but then I realized it's probably better to switch to LEDs. By the time we've gone through our incandescent bulb supply I'm sure LEDs will be a lot cheaper. I'd rather use LEDs out of the 3.

[Serpo]

A month or so ago, my four year old son threw a ball in the house, hitting one of the can lights in the ceiling, shattering the bulb. Since it was incandescent, I shooed the kids away and swept up the debris. If that had been a fluorescent bulb, my home would have been covered in mercury dust. The EPA recommends, in the case of an accidental breakage of a fluorescent bulb, opening all the windows, turning off the forced air system, evacuating the home for a couple hours, then coming back with tape to collect the settled dust, and discard any clothing, blankets, shoes, upholstery that was in contact with the toxic dust. You can't put the clothes in a washing machine, because it won't remove the mercury. You have to throw them away. You can't sweep or use a vacuum to clean it up either, because it will agitate the air, spreading the toxic dust all over your home. Then, after using tape to clean every square inch of the breakage area, you have to place the toxic shards in a sealed glass container and take it to an authorized toxic disposal center.

And no, I'm not making that up. These mercury bulbs are toxic if they break!

Proof these people are absolute lunatics

[Serpo]

I've been using LED's for the past two years now. Very efficient and I haven't had a failure on any of them yet.

Yes LEDs OVER THE MERCURY vapor type which are designed to poison us.

[Serpo]

I really don't like the CFLs, so when my incandescent supply runs out, I think I'll probably opt for the LED lights, even though they're like $15 each.

they are getting cheaper and when you work out how long they last ,are cheaper.

We have a rather big house (built myself from adobe) and the best thing is you dont have to change bulbs very often at all,unlike the other types.

Down to 8$ in OZ if you know where to look.

[madfranks]

I don't know what it's like elsewhere, but here in Colorado these fluorescent bulbs are so heavily subsidized they cost $1 each. Whereas a comparable LED bulb is approximately $7-8. A 60-watt equivalent fluorescent bulb will use about 14 watts, where the comparable LED will only use 11.

And of course, a whole box of regular old bulbs used to be 88 cents, but they're already all gone where I live.

[chad]

what am i supposed to use in my ez-bake oven? led's can't cook anything. :(

[EE_]

what am i supposed to use in my ez-bake oven? led's can't cook anything. :(

Well, if you live on the west coast, you can set your ez-bake cake pan on the beach for a couple hours...the radiation acts like a microwave oven.

[madfranks]

what am i supposed to use in my ez-bake oven? led's can't cook anything. :(

You make a good point, in that the heat generated by the bulbs is in many cases, beneficial. People who live in cold climates will need to make that heat up somewhere else, usually by running their furnaces or electric heaters more. In a 12'x12' bedroom or office, one 100 watt incandescent bulb can maintain an increase in temperature of up to 10 degrees higher than without the bulb. During the cold season, this makes a real difference!

[Serpo]

You make a good point, in that the heat generated by the bulbs is in many cases, beneficial. People who live in cold climates will need to make that heat up somewhere else, usually by running their furnaces or electric heaters more. In a 12'x12' bedroom or office, one 100 watt incandescent bulb can maintain an increase in temperature of up to 10 degrees higher than without the bulb. During the cold season, this makes a real difference!

But not so good in the summer, it is a waste product basically , the heat, as it is the light what you really want.

[madfranks]

But not so good in the summer, it is a waste product basically , the heat, as it is the light what you really want.

Who are you to say it's a waste product? What if you have low blood pressure and are always cold, even in the summer? What if you live in northern Alaska where there are no warm days? The politicians declared it a waste product, and didn't allow for any exemptions, even for people for which it was not a waste. I'm not trying to pick on you Serpo, but I hate it when people tell me what I do or don't need, as if they know everything.

[EE_]

That's how some families stay warm in the winter.

http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/2x4425072/family_in_winter_clothes_warming_hands_with_a_ligh t_bulb_20342.jpg

[gunDriller]

You make a good point, in that the heat generated by the bulbs is in many cases, beneficial.

if you have electric heat - it might as well come from light bulbs.

it could come from any electrical appliance. a year ago Computer Geeks had a special on a dual quad core Xeon server with 4 x 73 GB hard drives for about $250. i didn't need it, but wanted it. it would have made a good office warmer.

of course, like Serpo said, in the summer it takes extra electricity to remove heat via AC or ground effects cooling.

[steyr_m]

You make a good point, in that the heat generated by the bulbs is in many cases, beneficial. People who live in cold climates will need to make that heat up somewhere else, usually by running their furnaces or electric heaters more. In a 12'x12' bedroom or office, one 100 watt incandescent bulb can maintain an increase in temperature of up to 10 degrees higher than without the bulb. During the cold season, this makes a real difference!

Good point. It's like -25 C [-14° F for you Yanks] and keeping lights on does keep the furnace from coming on as often. 3-4 years ago when it was -40° F and my furnace crapped out, I turned on all my lights and it kept the house warm [about 50° F] for 2-3 days until a service guy could show up.

[Neuro]

You make a good point, in that the heat generated by the bulbs is in many cases, beneficial. People who live in cold climates will need to make that heat up somewhere else, usually by running their furnaces or electric heaters more. In a 12'x12' bedroom or office, one 100 watt incandescent bulb can maintain an increase in temperature of up to 10 degrees higher than without the bulb. During the cold season, this makes a real difference!
Wasn't there a thread here or at old GIM ages ago, about an entrepreneur who started selling the light bulbs as a cheap and simple heat radiator, as they were phased out? The light generated would in that case be the waste product, and it is pretty much the cheapest electric radiator you could buy...

[Down1]

Trump does something good.

The Trump administration is rolling back requirements for new, energy-efficient lightbulbs. The Energy Department announced the move on Wednesday, withdrawing standards that were to be put in place to make commonly used bulbs more efficient.
https://www.npr.org/2019/09/04/757623821/trump-administration-reverses-standards-for-energy-efficient-light-bulbs

[Shami-Amourae]

We should all be using LEDs instead. They last longer, and are more energy efficient.

[Cebu_4_2]

Trump does something good.

https://www.npr.org/2019/09/04/757623821/trump-administration-reverses-standards-for-energy-efficient-light-bulbs

Funny thing is I have a couple bulbs that are from the '50s and work fine. Pretty sure from that era, the bulbs are not smooth and kinda look like they were formed by hand on a pottery wheel. They changed them to be disposable and they only last like 600 hours. Rolling back requirements meaning what? Making them more efficient in what way? Watt to lumen it must be because more efficient wouldn't include making a bulb last 100 years.

[Cebu_4_2]

We should all be using LEDs instead. They last longer, and are more energy efficient.

The fluorescent ones I have used generate more heat from the base than the bulb part itself plus their life is very spotty. The LED's we have also get un-touchable hot at the base. I don't understand how that is possible only using less than 15 watts. Slowly gathering incandescents for winter in different wattage's for around the house. The garage/shop has stocked up on half full propane tanks at garage sales for the grill to heat it all winter. 40 or so years ago when people saw I was heating the garage with a grill they laughed and I was punished lol. Later that winter there was not one persons working garage that wasn't heating it like that. I tainted half the city because it worked and was efficient. Sure if you have a well sealed garage this might not work out well in the long run.

[midnight rambler]

We should all be using LEDs instead. They last longer, and are more energy efficient.

The bandwidth of LED lights is unhealthy.

And that "lasts longer"* is utter nonsense. I purchased a LED fixture for my shop and the package said good for 50,000 hours. It didn't last two years of continuous use which is less than 18,000 hours (<36% percent of it's rated lifetime).

*the only reason for the "lasts longer" notion is that incandescents are made extremely super cheap these days with the intention of selling more - there's documented cases of incandescent lamps burning continuously for decades - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longest-lasting_light_bulbs

[Cebu_4_2]

there's documented cases of incandescent lamps burning continuously for decades - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longest-lasting_light_bulbs

That's what I was saying.

[woodman]

The bandwidth of LED lights is unhealthy.

And that "lasts longer"* is utter nonsense. I purchased a LED fixture for my shop and the package said good for 50,000 hours. It didn't last two years of continuous use which is less than 18,000 hours (<36% percent of it's rated lifetime).

*the only reason for the "lasts longer" notion is that incandescents are made extremely super cheap these days with the intention of selling more - there's documented cases of incandescent lamps burning continuously for decades - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longest-lasting_light_bulbs

I have an old incandescent in my barn that has been working since before I bought this place in '92. For all I know, it was there for years before I bought the place. It just keeps on working. The light and warmth of incandescents is very comforting.

[hoarder]

LED is the greatest thing for people like me who are off the grid. One or two incandescent lights in the winter would suck all the power out of my battery bank in a few hours. Even the cheapest chinese LED's last a long time.

[woodman]

LED is the greatest thing for people like me who are off the grid. One or two incandescent lights in the winter would suck all the power out of my battery bank in a few hours. Even the cheapest chinese LED's last a long time.

I use LED's in my shop and they save me a lot of money. I am in and out of there constantly and often don't turn off the lights every time I exit. Also, most of the lights are on one switch. For my reading lamp by my favorite chair, I use incandescent because I enjoy the warmth. For ambience nothing can beat incandescent. I have purchased some old lava lamps and I really love the light they throw off. They get pretty hot.

I hate those twist bulbs, the ones with the mercury in them. I am on the last of them and when they are gone, good riddance.

[Down1]

Again
Stock up
Thanks Brandon
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-admin-moving-forward-light-bulb-bans-coming-weeks

[Down1]

8/1/23 Incandescent Bulbs will no longer be for sale in stores.

Tuesday these become illegal for stores to sell.

So buy before then if you want some.

[midnight rambler]

I buy incandescent bulbs off ebay, will watch there. I've already somewhat stocked up.