Are Light Bulbs Being Phased Out?
You may have heard that incandescent light bulbs are being phased out in favor of more energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs, otherwise known as CFLs, and light emitting diodes (LED). While you may still see these old fashioned bulbs on store shelves, you might not be seeing them for long, as within the next 2 to 8 years, most countries will have mandated their complete phase-out.
Incandescent Light Bulb Phase Out
The main reason for the incandescent light bulb phase out from the general marketplace has always been linked to energy efficiency. Other concerns include greenhouse gas emissions and the operating costs of incandescent bulbs.
The European Union is leading the way for a phase-out of incandescent bulbs by 2012 and a phase-out of halogen bulbs by 2016. This phase-out is a gradual approach, targeting higher wattage bulbs first with an efficiency limit for bulbs over 100 watts. As the phase-out continues, the efficiency limits will be enforced on lower wattages until the phase-out is complete. The EU ban will only affect general use and non-directional bulbs - those manly used to light most homes. Special purpose bulbs such as those used in fridges and ovens will not be banned. Spotlights and other bulbs with reflective surfaces will also be exempt from this ban.
Certain states within the U.S. are already planning their own phase-out of incandescent bulbs. California, a state that has always been at the forefront when it comes to environmental efforts, has initiated its own phase-out plan that calls for the total elimination of incandescent bulbs by 2018. Other states such as Connecticut have followed in California�s footsteps, citing the reduction in energy consumption as a big reason for their efforts.
Other governments around the world are planning their own efforts in phasing out incandescent bulbs. For instance, the UK will phase out these bulbs by 2011, while the Philippines is calling for a total ban on incandescent bulbs by 2010. Most governments are making exception for certain types of bulbs that have limited, specialized uses and cannot be replaced with ease.
The Difference Between Regular Bulbs and CFL/LED bulbs
There are plenty of pros and cons to go around when it comes to incandescent bulbs and their planned replacements. Incandescent bulbs have been around for many decades and have become very reliable in comparison to the fairly new CFL and LED bulbs, but each has its own list of positive and negative attributes:
- Both CFL and LED bulbs are far more efficient in energy use than incandescent bulbs. A 15 watt CFL can produce the same amount of light as a 60 watt incandescent bulb, while a LED bulb is capable of using even less energy.
- Using CFL and LED lighting can help save money when it comes to electricity bills. Switching to alternative lighting can help save hundreds of dollars per year on energy costs.
The major downside of CFLs comes from a health-related standpoint. CFL bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, a poisonous chemical element, in the form of mercury vapor. The amount of mercury vapor can vary between manufacturers, but the usual amount ranges from up to 5mg per bulb to as low as 1mg per bulb. Even though this amount seems small, it is still a big concern as even this small amount can leave a negative impact on the environment. It is also a concern for landfills and waste incinerators, two places where these bulbs will end up after their use. Manufacturers have responded with new CFLs featuring lower amounts of mercury vapor.
There are other downsides for CFLs:
- Some CFLs, especially those with a high output, are larger than equivalent incandescent bulbs. These bulbs may not fit in lighting fixtures that are designed for incandescent bulbs.
- CFLs wear out differently from incandescent bulbs. These bulbs share the same failure points of their fluorescent counterparts, especially when it comes to ballast failure. The ballast may distort, smoke or emit an odor as they fail, something that those who commonly use incandescent bulbs wouldn�t be prepared to deal with.
- Only a few CFLs are capable of dimming, and CFLs are not recommended for applications that require mood lighting.
- CFLs tend to operate at a higher Kelvin range, the measurement used when it comes to color temperature. Incandescent "soft white" bulbs operate at 3,000K, while fluorescent lighting tends to operate at above 5,000K. The higher the number, the "cooler" the shade of color seems to be. Some CFLs give off a blue shade that is not as warming as the traditional soft-white bulbs.
LED light bulbs share some of the same technical and aesthetic problems as CFLs save for the health risks. LED lights do not lend themselves well to applications that require dimming, and like their CFL counterparts, they may seem "colder" than incandescent bulbs.
Is the Phase-Out a Smart Choice?
There are two sides to the coin when it comes to the planned phase-out. On one hand, switching to CFLs and LEDs can save energy and help reduce the presence of greenhouse gases. Households that switch to CFLs and LEDs will notice a decrease in their overall energy bills. If more households switch to CFL and LED lighting, it can possibly reduce the amount of energy that is needed for power plants to generate electricity to these homes.
On the other hand, there is growing concern that the complete switch to CFLs and LEDs may end up being a poor choice in the long run. Such concerns have led the public to buy incandescent bulbs in bulk, a reaction that has led to outbreaks of panic buying, especially in light of the EU bulb ban. A major concern that some people have with CFL replacements are the special methods that have to be used to dispose of used and broken CFL bulbs. Some states forbid the disposal of spent CFLs with regular garbage due to these concerns. These bulbs have to be disposed of in accordance to special guidelines as given by the state and federal governments. Broken CFLs are also a concern for officials, since the amount of mercury released by a broken bulb can exceed guidelines for chronic exposure for a brief period of time. Even when following guidelines on cleaning up broken CFLs, mercury exposure can present a problem long after the initial cleanup.
Other resistance to the phase-out of incandescent bulbs comes from those who feel that they are being pressured by their respective governments to switch. Some feel as though instead of the government dictating the switch over, the marketplace should be the driving factor that quietly phases-out incandescent bulb usage. Aesthetic concerns are also cited by those in opposition of the phase-out, with the largest amount of complaints being how "cold" the CFL and LED lighting seems in comparison to the "warmer" incandescent bulbs.
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