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September 2011 Featured Story
Innovative incandescents meet new government standards
For the first time in more than 100 years, the basic incandescent light bulb is getting a facelift. To accommodate new energy efficiency standards set by Congress (which require light bulbs to be more efficient starting in 2012), a new generation of incandescent light bulbs has entered the marketplace. These products boast energy savings of 25 percent and a lifespan up to three times longer than their soon-to-be extinct predecessors.
“Up to 12 percent of a typical monthly electric bill pays for lighting, so removing energy-wasting bulbs from the market will have a big impact on America’s energy use,” explained Erik Sorenson, a project manager with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), which represents companies that make products used in the generation, transmission, distribution, control, and end use of electricity.
Retooled incandescent bulbs contain a small capsule of halogen gas that surrounds the filament, which increases efficiency and improves longevity, while retaining the shape, color choices, and dimming capabilities that consumers have favored in incandescent bulbs.
Under the federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, light bulbs must be 28 percent more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs (which use 90 of their energy producing heat) starting in 2012, and by 2020, they must be 70 percent more efficient. NEMA estimates the new standards could save Americans up to $15.8 billion per year.
Other options
The new generation incandescent bulbs will join compact fluorescent light bulbs and light-emitting diodes as energy-efficient lighting options (please see related story). CFLs and LEDs both are about 75 percent more efficient than traditional incandescents. CFLs last about 10 times longer; LEDs about 25 times longer. But CFLs are the more economical choice at the moment. The cost of LEDs is expected to come down as the technology advances.
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