Banning of incandescent lightbulbs

Due to the higher energy usage of incandescent light bulbs in comparison to more energy efficient alternatives, such as compact fluorescent lamps and LED lamps, some governments have passed laws and regulations that have started to phase out their usage.

Regional developments

Americas

Cuba

Cuba exchanged all incandescent light bulbs to CFLs in 2007 and banned import and sales of incandescent light bulbs.

South America

Brazil and Venezuela were the first countries to attempt to phase out the use of incandescent light bulbs, in 2005.

United States

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 California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on October 12, 2007. The bill also requires a reduction in lighting electricity usage. [cite web|url=http://www.cawrecycles.org/issues/current_legislation/ab1109_07|title=AB 1109 (Huffman) Lighting Efficiency & Toxics Reduction Act|accessdate=2007-07-19|format=HTML]

Legislation has also been proposed in Connecticut by state Representative Mary M. Mushinsky (D-Wallingford). [" [http://www.conntact.com/article_page.lasso?id=40692 A Light Bulb Went Off Over Their Heads] ," "Connecticut Business News Journal", February 5, 2007.] [ [http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABillStatus/CGAbillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB6550 H.B. 6550] , Connecticut General Assembly] . On February 8 2007, New Jersey Assemblyman Larry Chatzidakis introduced a bill that calls for the state to switch to fluorescent lighting in government buildings over the next three years. "The light bulb was invented a long time ago and a lot of things have changed since then," said Chatzidakis. "I obviously respect the memory of Thomas Edison, but what we're looking at here is using less energy. [" [http://www.canada.com/topics/technology/news/gizmos/story.html?id=3483926d-a152-4d73-8adc-4f265c438951&k=17004 Edison's light bulb could be endangered] ". Associated Press, February 9, 2007.]

Many of these state efforts became moot when the federal Clean Energy Act of 2007 was signed into law on December 19, 2007. This legislation effectively banned (by January 2014) incandescent bulbs that produce 310 - 2600 lumens of lightFact|Old citation is dead; How do we know this is an effect?|date=August 2008. Bulbs outside this range (roughly, light bulbs currently less than 40 Watts or more than 150 Watts) are exempt from the ban. Also exempt are several classes of specialty lights, including appliance lamps, "rough service" bulbs, 3-way, colored lamps, and plant lights.

Canada

In Canada, electrical regulations already require the use of LED lamps in electrically-illuminated emergency exit signs. Since these are continually illuminated and there may be many signs in a building, the cumulative energy saving is significant. In traffic-signal applications, LEDs replace incandescent lamps. LED lamps can inherently produce lighting of the saturated colors required for signals, eliminating the energy wasted by filtering the white light of an incandescent lamp.

In April 2007, Ontario's Minister of Energy Dwight Duncan announced the provincial government's intention to ban incandescent light bulbs by 2012. The plan would ban the sale of incandescent light bulbs, but not their use. [ [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070418.wbulbs0418/BNStory/National/home "Old bulbs off shelves by 2012",] "The Globe and Mail," April 18, 2007.]

The provincial government of Nova Scotia would also like to move towards phasing out incandescent light bulbs in the province. However, Energy Minister Bill Dooks said he expects it would be four or five years before a ban is in place. [" [http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2007/02/28/ns-lightbulb.html?ref=rss Nova Scotia ponders light-bulb switch,] " "CBC News," February 28, 2007.]

Federal Environment Minister John Baird has announced a plan to phase-out inefficient light bulbs in Canada by 2012, this will not mean the banning of any existing technology such as incandescent light bulbs. According to the minister Canada will save $3- to $4-billion Canadian dollars over the lifetime of the new bulbs. [Tenille Bonoguore, " [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070425.wbaird0425/BNStory/National/home Critics blast environment plan as out of sync with science,] " "The Globe and Mail," April 28, 2007.]

Asia

Philippines

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 ban incandescent bulbs. [" [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gWjabn9hvw6TzjWHAKmDKGuQqNwwD8UK5SE00 Philippines to Ban Incandescent Bulbs,] " "The Associated Press," February 8, 2008.]

Europe

The European Union has proposed a ban on incandescent light bulbs, planned to come into effect in the near future, but this will not affect existing incandescent bulbs, only the production of new bulbs. [" [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6110448.stm Bulbs must be efficient 'by 2009',] " "BBC News," November 2, 2006.] However, the proposal has yet to be approved by all member states or the European Parliament.

Italy will ban the sale of incandescent light bulbs as of 2010. On 10 December 2007 the Budget Committee of the Chamber of Deputies has voted in favour of a proposal by the leader of the Greens, Angelo Bonelli MP.

Germany’s Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel has urged the European Commission to ban inefficient light bulbs in the EU in the fight against global warming. The EU could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 25 million tonnes a year if energy saving light bulbs were used in both the domestic and services sectorsFact|date=April 2007.

Belgium's Minister of the Environment Bruno Tobback is intent on banning incandescent light bulbs, and thinks the ban on incandescent light bulbs should be included in the list of measures under the Kyoto Protocol. [ [http://www.brunotobback.be/default.htm Bruno Tobback web site] ] Energy Minister Kris Peeters supports this position as well. [ [http://www.ministerkrispeeters.be/ Kris Peeters web site] ]

The Netherlands is moving ahead with plans to ban incandescent light bulbs as well. The Dutch minister Environment Jacqueline Cramer wants a ban on incandescent light bulbs within 4 years. [" [http://www.parool.nl/nieuws/2007/MEI/21/bin8.html/ Minister Cramer wil verbod op gloeilamp,] ", "Het Parool," May 21, 2007.]

In Ireland the government proposes to ban traditional incandescent light bulbs in January 2009. [ [http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhmhsneygbgb/ BreakingNews.ie - "Gormley to ban traditional light-bulbs"] ]

On September 27 2007, the government in the United Kingdom announced plans to phase out the sale of incandescent light bulbs by 2011. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7018575.stm BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Pulling the plug on wasteful lighting ] ] Under the plan, retailers will voluntarily decline to stock 150 watt bulbs from January 2008, 100 watt bulbs from January 2009, 40 watt bulbs in 2010, and all remaining bulbs by 2011. These plans are voluntary, however they have had wide support from retailers and consumers. The initiative has, however, been criticised by environmental groups such as Greenpeace, and other political parties, who believe mandatory measures should be introduced.

Oceania

Australia

On February 20, 2007, the Australian Federal Government announced the introduction of minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for lighting products. The new minimum standard efficiency level is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luminous_efficacy#Examples_2 15 lumens per watt (lm/w)] . Subsequently the timetable was amended on 5 June 2008 so that the 4 year phase out period was accelerated by 12 months. From Nov 2008, the importation of non compliant lighting (including incandescent globes) into Australia will be banned and from Nov 2009 the retail sale of non compliant lighting (including incandescent globes) will be banned. [http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/energyefficiency/lighting.html Australian government Department of environment, water, heritage and the arts : Phase-out of inefficient incandescent light bulbs June 2008] . 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% [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/light-bulbs-ban-to-slash-emissions/2007/02/19/1171733685061.html Light bulbs ban to slash emissions - Environment - Specials - smh.com.au ] ]

According to the current proposal [ [http://www.energyrating.gov.au/library/pubs/200718-phaseout-incandescent-lamps.pdf Report Technical Incandescent Lamps + CFLs ] ] still subject to consultation, all regular lightbulbs and some other kinds of lightbulbs sold from October 2009 will have to meet new minimum energy performance standards. This will effectively prohibit the sale of most incandescent lightbulbs available prior to that date. High efficiency halogen bulbs will still be available provided they meet the new minimum energy performance standards.

There have been some initiatives to encourage people to switch to compact fluorescent lamps. For example [http://www.lowenergy.com.au/downloads/KingstonYC-Nov2007.pdf Kingston Your City, November 2007] , residents in some municipalities have been offered free compact fluorescent lamps to replace their incandescent lightbulbs, including free installation. Residents have to sign over the carbon credits resulting from the reduced carbon emissions over the expected life of the compact fluorescent lamps to the installation company.

New Zealand

In response, New Zealand is considering similar measures. Climate Change Minister David Parker said: "The Australians are talking about looking at banning ordinary lightbulbs in three years' time...I think by the time that is implemented in Australia - if it is - we will be doing something very similar". [Greg Ansley, " [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10425018 Standard light bulbs to be switched off,] " "The New Zealand Herald,", February 21, 2007.]

Controversy

The cost of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) is considerably higher than incandescent light bulbs, and there are some applications where the extra cost of a CFL will never be repaid, typically where bulbs are used relatively infrequently such as in little-used closets and attics. [http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/2008/01/30/light-bulb-revolt-incandescent-fans-rise-up.html Light-Bulb Revolt: Incandescent Fans Rise Up] ]

There has been some consumer concern that CFLs may not fit existing light sockets or lampshades. However, manufacturers state that CFLs are substantially shorter and smaller than they were just a few years ago. While some CFLs had difficulty fitting certain lampshades in the past, they will usually fit in table lamps today.

There has also been concern that CFLs cause interference in TV pictures and AM radio. This used to be true: some CFLs created radio frequency interference, but this is rare today. In the U.S., manufacturers state that the problem can be avoided by choosing CFLs with the government's Energy Star rating, indicating that they meet a standard set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC also requires CFL manufacturers to supply information (on or inside the package) that informs consumers what to do in the event of any interference (e.g., move the CFL and AM radio away from each other).

Using CFLs in a home will not affect power quality appreciably, but their use in large-scale installations can have an impact. [Ph. N. Korovesis e.a., Influence of Large-Scale Installation of Energy Saving Lamps on the Line Voltage Distortion of a Weak Network Supplied by Photovoltaic Station, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER DELIVERY, Vol. 19, NO. 4, Oktober 2004] [J. Cunill-Solà and M. Salichs, Study and Characterization of Waveforms From Low-Watt ( In such cases, CFLs with low (below 30 percent) total harmonic distortion (THD) and power factors greater than 0.9 should be used.] [ [http://www.mge.com/business/saving/madison/pa_2.html Compact Fluorescent Lamps] ]

There are also concerns about possible environmental and health hazards due to mercury content. [http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#flourescent CFLs contain small amounts of the toxic element mercury. If a bulb is broken, it releases mercury vapor. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has released a document on cleaning up broken CFLs, instructing people to not vacuum, to open windows and leave the room for 15 minutes, clean up the pieces while wearing gloves, use duct tape to pick up small pieces, and double-bag in plastic all broken pieces, in order to avoid mercury poisoning. These precautions are not printed on the packaging of CFLs in the United States.]

See also

* Climate change
* Alliance to Save Energy

References