What You Need to Know About the Phase-Out of Incandescent Light Bulbs

On January 1, 2012, the incandescent light bulb has started becoming a thing of the past. These bulbs are being phased out as part of the Federal Security Act of 2007, otherwise known as the Energy Bill.  The goal of the Energy Bill is to encourage the use and technological development of more energy-efficient lighting alternatives. Common household bulbs that use between 40 and 100 watts will be mandated to use at least 27% less energy by 2014. Since traditional incandescent bulbs are not energy efficient enough to do this, manufacturers will be looking to new alternatives, such as LED lighting, to become the common household bulb of the future.

We’ve written about this phase out in the past, but want to re-visit the topic to make sure you, the consumer, know’s exactly what’s happening and what your options are. Over the course of the next two years, you’ll start to see these changes take place:

·         100-watt bulbs were the first to be phased out

·         75-watt bulbs will start a phase out in January of 2013

·         40-watt and 60-watt bulbs will start a phase out in January of 2014

The law mandating the phase out says that the bulbs can no longer be manufactured or imported after Jan. 1 but will let stores continue to sell them until stock runs out.

What does this mean for consumers?

LED Lighting is one of the options to take the place of the inefficient incandescent bulb for a few reasons:

1.       LED lighting is up to 75% more energy efficient, longer lasting and safer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

2.       The estimated cost per year of an LED light is $1.58 compared to $7.90 for a 60-watt incandescent bulb.

3.       LED lighting will last approximately 50,000 hours.

4.       LED’s are the most energy efficient and long lasting and come with dimmable options.

5.       Are best for your health, as they are mercury free, as well as other health benefits.

Another thing that will be different is the labeling. The new standard for measuring a bulb’s brightness will be “lumens”, not “watts”. To give you an idea of how lumens scale, a standard 60-watt incandescent bulb produces about 800 lumens.

Fortunately, New Tek Partners offers LED lighting solutions to counteract the negatives of owning incandescent bulbs. Our bulbs give off virtually no heat, meaning no wasted energy or risk of accidental burns. LED technology also does not utilize the wasteful filament that so often burns out in incandescent bulbs and causes frequent change outs.  In fact, we are so confident in our LED technology that we offer a 3 year warranty on all of our products.

New Tek Partners is an LED technology based company and our mission is to develop and produce high quality LED lighting products and provide alternative lighting solutions to our clients. Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions about how we can help you reduce your electric costs, as well as reduce your effect on the environment. Like our Facebook Page for helpful tips and info, lighting ideas, pictures, and much more!