Bye 100 Watts Bulb It Will Be Turned Off Shortly
By 2014, the lightbulb as we've known it for more than a century will be turned off -- for good. Laws phasing out incandescent lamps in favor of more energy-efficient versions are about to change not only the way we purchase our replacement bulbs, but also the way we view lighting in general.
"It should be pretty exciting," says Mary Beth Gotti, manager of the GE Lighting & Electrical Institute in East Cleveland, Ohio. "It's going to let people play with light a little bit."
The phase-out begins in 2012, when 100-watt, incandescent bulbs disappear from store shelves. In their place you'll find three primary replacement options for existing fixtures: halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps or light bulbs (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Halogen light looks and feels a lot like traditional lighting, because it comes from a type of incandescent bulb, albeit one that draws less power. The high operating temperature of halogen bulbs gives the light a particularly luminous quality that makes it ideal for a dining room, where you might want a little sparkle off the silverware and china.
CFLs, on the other hand, are best for general illumination -- in a table lamp, for instance. They've come a long way since they were introduced as those curlicue bulbs that never looked quite right popping up from under a lampshade. Currently the most energy-efficient and cost-effective of the new options, CFLs come in a full complement of cover shapes, from the classic A shape to globes and candelabras. Some still take a minute or two to warm up, but once they reach full output, the light is virtually indistinguishable from that of incandescent bulbs.
Then there are LEDs, excellent for task lighting and directed lighting. They also have a certain cool factor. They're already showing up in new construction embedded in staircases and railings, and also as toe kicks in bathrooms and kitchens -- both for safety and their elegance. "It has a real appeal for early adopters, people who want to be the first on their block with the latest and greatest toy," Gotti says.
Currently, there are few LEDs that can match the lumen output of a traditional 60-watt bulb, and their up-front cost is many times that of halogen bulbs and CFLs. Manufacturers, however, are constantly improving the technology and projecting extremely long lives that should make their products cost effective over time. "The consumer has to weigh that decision -- whether they think the lamp will last that long," cautions Jeremy Snyder, energy efficiency program director at the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.
Picking the best replacement bulbs for your home requires a little bit of homework. First, you'll need to know the light output of your current lamp. We used to think of that primarily in terms of watts (or power), but now you'll be looking for lumens (light output). Next, check what shape of bulb you need. The three standard types are A, BR and PAR. Finally, measure the width and length of the bulb you want to replace, and compare it with what you find in the store to make sure it will fit.
For dimming fixtures, be sure to choose a replacement bulb rated for dimming (it should be indicated on the packaging). Same goes for three-way and outdoor lamps. Snyder suggests buying only one bulb and testing it at home before deciding to buy more. It's also a good idea to keep the packaging and receipt together in case the bulb dies out under warranty.
No matter which type of lighting you choose, you'll find many more choices in terms of color. Traditional bulbs gave a warm, white light -- what you'll now find listed on packaging as having a color temperature of 2,700 to 3,000 degrees Kelvin (K). Cooler-toned light, which can complement rooms painted blue or green or those with a modern décor, hovers in the 4,100 K range. Above 5,000 K, the light resembles daylight and can make matching socks in a laundry room far easier than ever.
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