Phase-out of incandescent light bulbs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Led lamp, efficiency class A
Tubular-type compact fluorescent lamp is one of the most popular types among European consumers.
A halogen incandescent light bulb

Governments have passed measures to phase out incandescent light bulbs. In some jurisdictions this has been done through legislation, while in others through voluntary measures. The aim is to encourage use of more energy efficient lighting alternatives, such as compact fluorescent lamp (CFLs) and LED lamps.

Contents

[edit] Regional developments

[edit] Americas

[edit] Cuba

Cuba exchanged all incandescent light bulbs for CFLs, and banned the sale and import of them in 2005.[1]

[edit] South America

Venezuela phased out incandescent light bulbs in 2005.[1] In Argentina, selling and importing incandescent light bulbs will be forbidden starting 31 December 2010.[2]

[edit] Canada

In April 2007, Ontario's Minister of Energy Dwight Duncan announced the provincial government's intention to ban the sale of incandescent light bulbs by 2012.[3]

The provincial government of Nova Scotia stated in February 2007 that it would like to move towards phasing out incandescent light bulbs in the province.[4]

Federal Environment Minister John Baird announced in April 2007 a plan to phase out the sale of inefficient light bulbs by 2012. According to the minister Canada will save $3 to $4 billion Canadian dollars over the lifetime of the new bulbs.[5]

[edit] United States

[edit] Individual State efforts

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 aims to establish a minimum standard of twenty-five lumens per watt by 2013 and sixty lumens per watt by 2018.[6][7]

Legislation was proposed in Connecticut by state Representative Mary M. Mushinsky (D-Wallingford).[8][9] 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.[10]

[edit] Federal legislation

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 light.[11] 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 speciality lights, including appliance lamps, "rough service" bulbs, 3-way, colored lamps, and plant lights.

In December 2007, The United States enacted the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, requiring all general-purpose light bulbs be 30% more energy efficient (similar to current halogen lamps) than current incandescent bulbs by 2012 to 2014. The phase-out will start with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014. By 2020, a second tier would become effective; which requires all general-purpose bulbs to be at least 70% more efficient (similar to current CFLs). Exempt from the Act are reflector "flood", 3-way, candelabra, colored, and other specialty bulbs.[12]

[edit] Asia

[edit] Philippines

In February 2008, 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.[13]

[edit] Europe

Switzerland banned the sale of all light bulbs of the Energy Efficiency Class F and G, which affects a few types of incandescent light bulbs. Most normal light bulbs are of Energy Efficiency Class E, and the Swiss regulation has exceptions for various kinds of special-purpose and decorative bulbs.[14][15]

[edit] European Union

The Irish government was the first European Union (EU) member state to ban the sale of incandescent light bulbs.[16] It was later announced that the member states of the EU agreed to a phasing out of incandescent light bulbs by 2012.[17]

The initial Europe wide ban only applies to 'non-directional' light bulbs, so does not affect any bulbs with reflective surfaces (eg. spotlights or halogen down lighters). Bulbs will be banned in a phased approach. The first types of bulbs to be banned are non-clear (frosted) bulbs, these will be phased out completely by September 2009. Also from September 2009 clear bulbs over 100W must be made of more efficient types. This limit will be moved down to lower wattages, and the efficiency levels raised by the end of 2012.[18]

The Finnish parliament has been discussing banning sales of incandescent light bulbs by the beginning of 2011.[19]

The UK government announced in 2007 that incandescent bulbs would be phased out by 2011.[20]

[edit] Oceania

[edit] Australia

In February 2007, Australia enacted a law that will ban most sales of incandescent light bulbs by 2010.[21] The Australian Federal Government announced minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for lighting products. The new minimum standard efficiency level is 15 lumens per watt (lm/W). In November 2008 the importation of non-compliant lighting (which includes some incandescent globes) into Australia was banned, and from November 2009 the retail sale of non-compliant lighting is banned.[22] According to the current proposal [23] all regular light bulbs and some other kinds of light bulbs sold from October 2009 will have to meet the new minimum energy performance standards. Incandescent light bulbs that meet the new standards, for example high efficiency halogen bulbs, will continue to be available. [24]

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%[25]

There have been some initiatives to encourage people to switch to compact fluorescent lamps ahead of the phase out.[26]

[edit] New Zealand

In February 2007, then Climate Change Minister David Parker announced a similar proposal to the one in Australia[27], except that importation for personal use would have been allowed.[28] However the proposed phase out was scrapped by the new government in December 2008.[29]

[edit] Controversy

[edit] Environmental concerns

Main article: Compact fluorescent lamp#Environmental issues

CFLs, like all fluorescent lamps, contain small amounts of mercury[30][31] as vapor inside the glass tubing, averaging 4.0 mg per bulb [32]. A broken compact fluorescent lamp will release its mercury content. Safe cleanup of broken compact fluorescent lamps differs from cleanup of conventional broken glass or incandescent bulbs,[33] The short term nature of the potential exposure (particularly after effective clean-up of broken CFL material) does not constitute a significant health risk to exposed adults (including pregnant women) or children.[34]

[edit] Cost and dimmers

The cost of CFLs is higher than incandescent light bulbs. Typically this extra cost may be repaid in the long-term as CFLs use less energy[35] and have longer operating lives than incandescent bulbs.[36] However there are some areas where the extra cost of a CFL may never be repaid, typically where bulbs are used relatively infrequently such as in little-used closets and attics.[37] Use in situations such as stairways where the lamp is turned on for less than five minutes at a time will cause a significantly shorter lifespan for a CFL.

Some CFLs are not compatible with all existing dimming circuits. However, more dimmable CFLs are expected to become available as the phase-outs progress. Mains voltage halogen bulbs provide a more efficient dimmable alternative to common incandescent bulbs and are readily available.[38]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Derbyshire, David (07 January 2009). "Revolt! Robbed of their right to buy traditional light bulbs, millions are clearing shelves of last supplies" (in English). The Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1107290/Revolt-Robbed-right-buy-traditional-light-bulbs-millions-clearing-shelves-supplies.html. Retrieved on 2009-01-08. 
  2. ^ Clarín.com: Adiós a las lamparitas: las claves antes de cambiarlas
  3. ^ "Old bulbs off shelves by 2012", The Globe and Mail, April 18, 2007
  4. ^ "Nova Scotia ponders light-bulb switch," CBC News, February 28, 2007
  5. ^ Tenille Bonoguore, "Critics blast environment plan as out of sync with science," The Globe and Mail, April 28, 2007
  6. ^ "AB 1109 (Huffman) Lighting Efficiency & Toxics Reduction Act" (HTML). http://www.cawrecycles.org/issues/current_legislation/ab1109_07. Retrieved on 2007-07-19. 
  7. ^ AB 1109 Assembly Bill - INTRODUCED
  8. ^ "A Light Bulb Went Off Over Their Heads," Connecticut Business News Journal, February 5, 2007.
  9. ^ H.B. 6550, Connecticut General Assembly
  10. ^ "Edison's light bulb could be endangered". Associated Press, February 9, 2007.
  11. ^ THOMAS Record of Clean Energy Act
  12. ^ http://energystar.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/energystar.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=4913
  13. ^ "Philippines to Ban Incandescent Bulbs," "The Associated Press," February 8, 2008.
  14. ^ Tagesanzeiger.ch «Grosses Lichterlöschen für die Glühbirnen» (German)
  15. ^ "Vorerst noch kein generelles Glühlampenverbot in der Schweiz – Energieeffiziente Lampen machen Umstieg schon heute möglich". 5 March 2009. http://presse.philips.ch/apps/p_dir/e3700001.nsf/alle/59755E4B31D4B568C12574F2003C2AE0?opendocument. (German)
  16. ^ "Light Bulbs FAQs". Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Atmosphere/ClimateChange/LightBulbsPublicConsultation/LightBulbsFAQs/. Retrieved on 2009-04-01. 
  17. ^ "Member States approve the phasing-out of incandescent bulbs by 2012". EUROPA. European Union. 08 December 2008. http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1909&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en. Retrieved on 2009-01-07. 
  18. ^ "Phasing out incandescent bulbs in the EU - Technical briefing". 08 December 2008. http://ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/ecodesign/doc/committee/2008_12_08_technical_briefing_household_lamps.pdf. 
  19. ^ "Ban on incandescent lamps discussed by Finnish Parliament". Helsingin Sanomat - International Edition. 2007-09-27. http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Ban+on+incandescent+lamps+discussed+by+Finnish+Parliament/1135230613491. Retrieved on 2007-12-31. 
  20. ^ "Switch off for traditional bulbs". BBC. 2007-09-27. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7016020.stm. Retrieved on 2009-01-17. 
  21. ^ "Australia Bans Traditional Light Bulbs to Combat Global Warming". green wombat blog. 2007-02-20. http://blogs.business2.com/greenwombat/2007/02/australia_bans_.html. Retrieved on 2007-12-31. 
  22. ^ Australian Government: Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Phase-out of inefficient incandescent light bulbs (June 2008)
  23. ^ Report Technical Incandescent Lamps + CFLs
  24. ^ http://www.energyrating.gov.au/pubs/2008-ris-phaseout.pdf
  25. ^ Light bulbs ban to slash emissions - Environment - Specials - smh.com.au
  26. ^ Kingston Your City, November 2007
  27. ^ Greg Ansley, "Standard light bulbs to be switched off," The New Zealand Herald,, February 21, 2007.
  28. ^ "New Zealand phases out old light bulbs to save energy, greenhouse gas output" (in English). AP (iht.com). 17 June 2008. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/17/asia/AS-GEN-New-Zealand-Bulb-Ban.php. Retrieved on 2009-01-08. 
  29. ^ Watkins, Tracy (17 December 2008). "National ditches light bulb phase-out" (in English). stuff.co.nz. http://www.stuff.co.nz/4795190a11.html. Retrieved on 2009-01-08. 
  30. ^ "Mercury Content Information Available for Lamps on the 2003 New Jersey Contract T-0192". http://web.archive.org/web/20051230010537/http://www.informinc.org/fact_P3NJlampcontract.php. Retrieved on 2007-05-15. 
  31. ^ "Canada-Wide Standard for Mercury-Containing Lamps" (PDF). 2001. http://www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/merc_lamp_standard_e.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-03-23. 
  32. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions Information on Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and Mercury June 2008" (PDF). 2008. http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-08-31. 
  33. ^ Floyd, et al. (2002), quoted on page 184 of Toolkit for identification and quantification of mercury releases (PDF)
  34. ^ Safe clean-up and disposal guidelines
  35. ^ FAQs: Compact Fluorescent: GE Commercial Lighting Products
  36. ^ National Energy Foundation - redirection page
  37. ^ Light-Bulb Revolt: Incandescent Fans Rise Up
  38. ^ Do compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) work with dimmer switches?

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase-out_of_incandescent_light_bulbs"
Personal tools