California phased out the inefficient incandescent light bulb as of January 1st, 2018.

Posted by: Amy

California has officially retired the incandescent light bulb, more than 125 years old, as of January 1st. The new standards cover nearly all common bulbs used in homes, and require bulbs manufactured on or after January 1, 2018, sold in the state to achieve a minimum efficiency level of 45 lumens per watt, which is three times more efficient than the old incandescent. Lumens measure the amount of light a bulb makes, and watts measure the amount of power it consumes to produce those lumens.

California’s light bulb regulations currently exempt some types of bulbs, such as those used in ovens, most reflector/ flood bulbs, bug lights, and three-way bulbs. This is because these bulbs are small, they use less than the 72-watt limit included in the standards.

Manufacturers can sell through the stock they have if the bulbs were manufactured before January 1st, but most bulbs made in the state after that will comply to the new standards. Consumers will be able to choose from among more efficient bulbs that use no more than 72 watts, including halogen incandescents, compact fluorescents (CFLs) and light-emitting diode, or LED, bulbs. Consumers will likely make the switch to LED light bulbs, a very efficient alternative to incandescent bulbs.

Consumers and businesses are estimated to save over $1 billion every year on their electric bills, and the emissions that result from the energy wasted by incandescent bulbs. An LED costs $2 to $3 per bulb, when purchased in a multi-pack. LED bulbs will save consumers around $50 to $150 over the bulb’s lifetime.

LED bulbs are just as bright as the incandescent and halogen bulbs it was designed to replace, emit the same quality of light, and uses 80 percent less energy. Many models are also dimmable. The LED bulb that replaces the 60-watt incandescent bulb only uses 10 watts of power to deliver the same amount of light, 800 lumens. LED bulbs also last 15 to 25 years. That means they last 25 times as long as an incandescent bulb, based on average daily use of three hours per day. This switch will not only save consumers money but the time and hassle to replace an incandescent every year or so.

For more information on the California transition follow these links:

https://www.nrdc.org/experts/noah-horowitz/california-get-new-light-bulb-efficiency-standards-jan-1

https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/ca-efficient-lightbulbs-fs.pdf

https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/20/hey-california-say-farewell-to-your-traditional-incandescent-light-bulbs/

For more information on different types of bulbs follow this link:

https://www.greenamerica.org/green-living/cfls-vs-leds-better-bulbs