Burns Insurance Group Newsletter JANUARY 2014 | Page 4

So-Called ‘Light Bulb Ban’ In Effect: What
Types Of Bulbs Are Ok To Use?
The new year rang in big changes in the way you light your
home. As of Jan. 1, 2014, federal legislation has restricted the
manufacture or import of conventional 40- and 60-watt
incandescent light bulbs in the United States. While some are
calling it a “light bulb ban,” the law itself doesn’t ban the use or
sale of incandescents; it requires manufacturers to create more
energy-efficient versions of the traditional pear-shaped
bulbs, wh ich does keep the door open to the future sales of
incandescents.
Have you been using incandescent bulbs in your home? If
you haven’t made the switch to energy-saving light bulbs yet, don’t
worry. Like you, I knew that switching to more efficient versions
could result in significant energy savings, but I wasn’t sure where
to get started. Between wattage ratings, lumen ratings and coloration, I felt overwhelmed just looking at the light bulb aisle! Good
news: Even if you’re like me, picking the brightest, most efficient
bulb is actually pretty easy. Follow these tips to get started.
Does switching to energy-efficient bulbs make a difference?
Absolutely! Just swapping out 15 incandescent bulbs in your home
could save you up to $50 a year, says the U.S. Department of
Energy. That’s because a standard incandescent is only 10 percent efficient, the agency says; the other 90 percent of the electricity it uses is lost as heat.
What are my lighting choices?
CFLs, LEDs and halogens (also called “energy-efficient
incandescents”) are the three major categories of energy-efficient
light bulbs, and they are commonly found in home improvement
stores.
What should I know about halogen lights?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, halogens are 25 percent more energy efficient than conventional incandescents, and
can last up to three times longer. These bulbs come in multiple
shapes and sizes and many can be used with dimmers. Halogens
don’t have a ‘warm up’ time; they’re at full brightness the instant
you turn them on.
What should I know about CFL light bulbs?
Compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs, are 75 percent more
energy efficient than conventional incandescent bulbs and they
last 10 times longer, the Energy Department says. CFLs are just
like the fluorescent “shop lights” you may already have in your garage – they’re just a different shape. These bulbs come in a range
of colors and, while most people think of the “open” curly shape
of early models, CFLs now come in “closed” versions that mimic
the pear shape of conventional incandescents. Not all CFLs are
dimmable, so if that’s a feature you’re looking for, be sure to check
the package. Also, you should know that CFLs contain a small

amount of mercury, so they need to be recycled properly to prevent the release of mercury into the environment.
What should I know about LED light bulbs?
LEDs are 75 percent more energy efficient than conventional incandescent bulbs and they last up to 25 times longer, the
Department of Energy says. Unlike CFL bulbs, which take time to
“warm up” when they switch on, LEDs turn on instantly. But, as
with CFLs, you’ll need to check the package if you’re looking for a
dimmable option. LEDs are expensive relative to incandescents,
but the Department of Energy says “they still save money because
they last a long time and have very low energy use.” We should
see a dip in prices, though. Because the technology is seeing lots
of innovation, LED prices are expected to come down in the future.
How can I compare light bulb types? How do I shop for bulbs
now?
With incandescents, we were used to shopping by “watts,” which
is a measure of energy consumption. But wattage only told us how
much energy the bulb used, not how much light it gave off. Now,
the Department of Energy says, you’ll have to shift your focus
from watts to lumens, which is a measure of light output. More
lumens indicate more light. For example, your bedside lamp at
home may currently use 60-watt incandescent bulbs. This means
that the fixture provides a light output of about 800 lumens with an
incandescent. You can enjoy this same light output (800 lumens)
with a CFL that uses less than 15 watts. (Note: Bulb labels will
still note the wattage, but you should compare them based on the
lumens to get your desired brightness)
What about color? Don’t CFLs emit a harsh, bright light?
CFLs actually emit a wide range of light. Some bulbs do provide
a “cool” bluish-white light that feels bright, while others offer a
“warmer” yellowish-white light that’s closer to the light emitted by
traditional incandescent bulbs. When shopping for bulbs, look for
the informational label on the packaging. Structured like a nutritional label found on food products, the “lighting facts” label provides a scale that includes the light appearance (how warm or cool
the light appears).
My old incandescent bulbs haven’t burned out. Should I wait
until they do or replace them now?
No need to wait. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it
makes sense to replace your incandescent light bulbs now makes
sense because you can begin enjoying the energy savings right
away. You might save your old incandescent bulbs for use in a
closet, the Energy Department says, where they would only be
used for minutes at a time.