Activists Seek Repeal of Ban On Incandescent Bulbs 1049
Hugh Pickens writes writes "Daniel Sayani reports in New American that Senator Mike Enzi plans to introduce legislation to reverse the ban on incandescent light bulbs which is scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2014. 'CFLs are more expensive, many contain mercury which can be harmful even in the smallest amounts, and most are manufactured overseas in places like China,' says Enzi. 'If left alone, the best bulb will win its rightful standing in the marketplace. Government doesn't need to be in the business of telling people what light bulb they have to use.' Faced with a phaseout, some consumers are stockpiling incandescent bulbs, although a poll by USA Today indicates most Americans support the US law that begins phasing out traditional light bulbs next year. Despite some consumer grumbling, they're satisfied with more efficient alternatives. 71% of US adults say they have replaced standard light bulbs in their home over the past few years with compact fluorescent lamps or LEDs and 84% say they are 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with CFLs and LEDs."
Clean Power (Score:4, Informative)
I've found that unless you have nice clean power, CFLs don't last any longer than regular bulbs. Not everyone gets 60 Hz pure sine, 120V+-1% to their house. Older wiring, older part of town, etc. I rented an apartment that had me replacing CFLs once a month (until I realized it was the apartment and not a fluke and switched back). You still can't beat 4 bulbs for $.99.
Light output is terrible for CFLs and LEDs (Score:2, Informative)
Don't get me wrong, I love LEDs. I think all equipment should be littered carelessly with LED indicators.
But I just can't stand either LED or CFL lighting. The light that either of these globes give off just isn't as nice and comforting as a good ol' incandescent globe. It's cold, harsh, and monochromatic.
I for one will be stockpiling incandescent globes if Australia ever legislates against them.
Re:Good! (Score:5, Informative)
Except the Fed does NOT dictate the type of bulb you use. Congress passed a bipartisan law to require that bulbs be more efficient. Any incandescent bulbs that meet the new efficiency guidelines are fine. G.E. promised a more efficient incandescent bulb but decided against it.
Re:Clean Power (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Good! (Score:2, Informative)
ummm... Not only does the whole document outline the powers specifically granted to the Fed .gov, it also has that pesky 10th amendment that grants any powers not expressly granted to the Feds to the states and people.
OT: What's with the bad formatting in Firefox? (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Light output is terrible for CFLs and LEDs (Score:5, Informative)
http://gallery.me.com/dr2chase#100277/LEDSpectrum [me.com]
These are three different Luxeon Rebel LEDs, driven at 350mA, I believe the color temperatures are 3000K, 4000K, and 5000K. Still not as cheap as I would like, but coming down (cheaper than before) and the light is creeping up. Another good choice is Cree; I have 9 last-gen Cree neutral-whites (4000K, I think) in my kitchen under the cabinets, and they look good there, too. As long as I am blogwhoring (since I just went and took these pictures to give a proper reply for you, I think I am entitled), here:
http://dr2chase.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/undercabinet-lights-basement-kitchen/ [wordpress.com] (used for the picture above, mixed spectrum)
http://dr2chase.wordpress.com/2008/10/19/more-undercabinet-lights/ [wordpress.com] (all neutral white, an earlier effort)
Note that these are "do not look at LED with remaining eye" grade lights.
Re:Efficiency not technology (Score:4, Informative)
They did mandate efficiency, not technology:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase-out_of_incandescent_light_bulbs#Federal_legislation [wikipedia.org]
In December 2007, many of these state efforts became moot when the federal government enacted the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which requires all general-purpose light bulbs that produce 310–2600 lumens of light[8] be 30% more energy efficient (similar to current halogen lamps) than current incandescent bulbs by 2012 to 2014. The efficiency standards will start with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014.
Light bulbs outside of this range are exempt from the restrictions (historically, less than 40 Watts or more than 150 Watts). Also exempt are several classes of specialty lights, including appliance lamps, rough service bulbs, 3-way, colored lamps, and plant lights.
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.[29]