It’s the same argument as when the federal law was passed in 2007: it’s not an actual ban, but, by putting in place such strong requirements, the law effectively banned incandescent light bulbs. California is two years ahead of the federal law
Goodbye to the incandescent light. Climate change means you have to go, but you’ll be missed
This week marks not just the start of a new year, but a bright new day for energy conservation. Or maybe it’s the tragic end of an era, with a beloved product now wiped out of existence by a government forcing its environmental agenda on the rest of us. Which view you take depends on how strongly you feel about interior lighting.
The catalyst for this change was the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, a law signed by President George W. Bush with the worthy goal of reducing energy usage and weaning the U.S. off foreign oil. Among other things, the sweeping law set phased-in efficiency standards for most light bulbs, starting in 2012.
In California, those standards culminate this year in a requirement that bulbs must use about 65% less energy to cast the same amount of light, a standard too high for incandescent technology to reach. It’s too bad, because other than the fact that they burn way too much electricity, incandescent bulbs are the perfect light source. They make everyone one look good; they dim smoothly and have done so for more than 130 years. Incandescents have had an incredible run, but, regrettably, there’s no room for such energy-sucking lamps in the modern world.
Alas, there is room, since both the federal law and California law have exceptions. Such as so many of the high powered lights used on television sets and movie sets. Halogens would also be effectively banned.
Stores may sell the incandescent bulbs they have in stock but are not allowed to replace them. Online stores aren’t supposed to ship them to California addresses, though there’s no law to stop anyone from driving across state lines and filling the trunk with 60-watt multi-packs. At least, they can do so until 2020, when the standards kick in for the rest of the country.
But, they can probably sell marijuana, which is now legal in California. But not light bulbs. Probably go to jail for that.
An expert at UC Davis said that 70% to 90% of Californians still rely on incandescent bulbs to light their homes.
So, wait, all these ‘climate change’ believers, and they can’t even take a minor step to replace them? Heck, the only bulbs I have inside that aren’t CFL or LED (I have Philips Hue* lights in some lamps) are those in a ceiling fan and a chandelier. I’ve long used CFLs for the money savings, and I only buy good ones
Perhaps it is not terribly surprising that so many people have clung to the warm, comforting glow they are used to. The cheap, spiral fluorescent bulbs that conservationists and utilities have pushed on consumers in recent years as money-saving replacements are shoddy imitations that cast a sick glow on faces and homes, and they sometimes flicker or hum. Given that, it’s entirely understandable that people might now fear that the new efficiency standards will doom us to a future of harsh glare and eye strain caused by mercury-filled bulbs that are deemed so toxic you can’t even toss them in the regular trash. What’s the point of saving a few bucks on your electric bill or cutting your energy usage when you’ve lost the will to live?
So, wait, now they tell us CFLs are not the best, and so many are completely shoddy?
The Natural Resources Defense Council estimates that the upcoming light bulb switch will reduce carbon emissions by tens of millions of tons every year.
Apparently, the only way to do this is to force Warmists to practice what they preach. And once you write “carbon emission” you are no longer talking science, but a political cult.
*BTW, if you haven’t checked out Philips Hue, do so. It’s awesome. I have the white ambiance lights, which can mimic daylight. I have them linked to the Amazon Echo Dot, and turn on and off with voice. I can turn them on and off from work. I have one outside set on a timer, so I do not need to leave on all day.
The TEACH typed:
Risible by even your low, and ever diminishing, standards. Zachriel pointed out some time ago that using “carbon” instead of “carbon dioxide” or “methane” is an example of a “synechdoche”, a word derived from the Greek, meaning “shared understanding”.
“Houston Wins the World Series!” No, the baseball team from Houston, the Astros, won the world series, a “shared understanding” by everyone except some whiny titty baby who long ago lost any scientific credibility.
“Too much sugar is bad for your health!” No, too much sucrose is bad for your health. No, too much (2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[(2S,3S,4S,5R)-3,4-dihydroxy-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol is bad for your health. Would you discard all research on “sugar” and health because someone relied on our “shared understanding” to make a point. Does using the word sugar invalidate the research on diet and diabetes.
TEACH: YOU”RE the one making the political argument. “It’s always projection.”
“It’s always projection.â€
Physician heal thyself.
Can we at least agree that an author using the term “carbon emission” does not invalidate the points they are trying to make?
Does it invalidate an article to headline “Illinois Beats Missouri!” to describe a basketball game?
Our esteemed host quoted:
One wonders: how did he get that statistic?
According to greentechmedia, 29% of homes had completely ditched incandescent light bulbs, and that was of 2012. The cost of LEDs has come down dramatically since then, and I would guess — though I couldn’t find the statistics — that has led to greater LED bulb use.
To me, the greatest problem was the past failure of LED manufacturers to label their bulbs in terms that would help consumers: the easiest thing would have been to tell consumers what incandescent brightness a particular LED bulb replaced.
When we moved down to the farm, I found a box of 16 LED bulbs for $24 at Lowe’s; that box was labeled with incandescent replacement value. There are a couple of incandescent bulbs left in the house; they’ll be replaced with LEDs when they burn out.
I have no problem with alternative bulbs, I’ve been using them since before this became fashionable. I check the clearance shelves at Lowe’s when I’m there, often have the good ones on clearance. I got a couple boxes of these really good ones for cheap, daylight ones. Was hoping they would fit in the ceiling fan, alas, it takes the tiny screw in ones.
Of course, this is all voluntary, rather than Government requiring compliance.
What has become a problem is getting certain bulbs. I like a 50/100/150 bulb in one of my living room lamps. Virtually impossible to find, and CFL and LEDs are freaking expensive, if you can find them.
Also, a lot of CFLs, and now LEDs, are cheapos. They do not have the quality, so, they do not last long.
I like that the LEDs and CFLs before them give off less heat. So they make great drop lights without fear of burning my arm on them. The older halogen work lights could start a fire.
I also have a front sidewalk lamp that the neighborhood developer thought would be sweet if they were on all the time. Candelabra sized bulbs. The LED replacements were a perfect fit and I don’t care if they burn all night long.