July 2023 Announced as Deadline for Retailers to Stop Selling Incandescent Bulbs
Rolling back a Trump-era policy this week, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the finalization of a new efficiency rule that will finally phase out older, high-energy incandescent bulbs. The Department of Energy estimates the rule will save U.S. consumers close to $3 billion on their utility bills, and project it will also cut planet-warming carbon emissions by 222 metric tons over the next 30 years. The move is the culmination of a decades-long bipartisan effort to phase out inefficient light bulbs.
The new rule states that light bulbs must emit a minimum of 45 lumens per watt. (Lumens are the measure of visible light output from a light source. The brighter the light source, the more lumens it has.) Bulbs that don’t meet the new standard will need to be phased out of production within 75 days, and the Department of Energy will work with manufacturers to ease the transition. Full enforcement of the rule will go into effect in July 2023, which is also the deadline for retailers to stop selling them. And, with many energy companies offering rebates, now is the perfect time to upgrade your existing bulbs to LED.
The new rule will help expedite a transition that’s been happening for years with the rise of energy efficient LED bulbs. LEDs last much longer than incandescent bulbs — at least 10 times longer typically — and, LEDs use only about one-sixth the amount of energy to deliver the same amount of light. “By raising energy efficiency standards for light bulbs, we’re putting $3 billion back in the pockets of American consumers every year and substantially reducing domestic carbon emissions,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. “The lighting industry is already embracing more energy efficient products, and this measure will accelerate progress to deliver the best products to American consumers and build a better and brighter future.”
Even with the Trump administration’s delay, LED use has been increasing in U.S. households. Nearly half of U.S. households said they used LED bulbs for most or all of their indoor lighting according to the 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey. It was a huge increase from the 2015 survey, where just 4% of households reported using LEDs for most or all indoor light use.
Whether you’re lighting a single room in your home or outfitting an entire warehouse with bright lamps, PROLIGHTING has the LED lamp solution for you. Shop quality LED bulbs from top brands like light RAB Lighting, Light Efficient Design, and Green Creative. RAB Lighting offers a variety of A-line LED bulbs for use in any commercial or residential application —designed for efficiency in energy consumption and versatility in retrofitting, and available at PROLIGHTING. RAB’s LED A-line bulbs are used to replace conventional halogen and incandescent bulbs. These omnidirectional bulbs come in several wattages, CCTS, bases and lifespans.
Green Creative’s filament LED lamp series offers solutions for conveniently upgrading most any existing incandescent lamp application. Green Creative decorative LED filament bulbs are designed to mimic the appearance of incandescent, but with all the benefits of LED. Frosted and clear lens options are available to suit a variety of aesthetics and design goals. Applications include pendants chandeliers, vanity fixtures, wall sconces, table lamps, decorative accent lighting, and more.
RAB’s decorative LED lamps were designed with both form and function in mind — and they look just as great as they perform. RAB’s decorative LED lamps are available in classic designs with either exposed filaments or frosted finishes, that simulate the appearance of the conventional lamps they replace. Check out the latest from RAB — old-school glow meets new-school technology with LED Dim to Warm lamps. “Dim to warm” lamps emit a lower color temperature light as they are dimmed. At full power, you see a bright, white color. When turned low, the lamp shifts to a comfortable, warm glow. The more you dim, the warmer the color temperature — keeping with the traditional appearance of an incandescent bulb, but with the efficiency you’d expect from RAB. With RAB Dim to Warm lamps you can create a cozy, inviting atmosphere, reduce eye strain, and more.
Ready to make the switch to LED lighting but not sure where to start? Our skilled team provides assistance with product selection, lighting design, and layout for any project. The lighting specialists at PROLIGHTING are highly responsive, knowledgeable, and will guarantee you receive the right product(s) for your application. Whether a project involves a standard LED fixture or a customized retrofit design, we continually strive to offer unmatched customer service and attention to detail to ensure that proper lighting is achieved with an excellent return on investment. Contact us today to get started.
Comments are closed.