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The pros and cons of energy-efficient light bulbs have been much
debated over the last decade. The main focus of the discussion has been
CFL light bulbs. Introduced in the '80s, these electricity sippers have
been greatly improved over the years. CFL light bulbs are
enthusiastically endorsed by the Energy Star program and are the most
popular green light bulbs among consumers, businesses and even public
institutions looking to reduce lighting costs and shrink their carbon
footprint.
Among the various energy-efficient light bulbs, CFL light bulbs
have notable drawbacks when compared to traditional incandescent bulbs,
their higher purchase price, slower start-up time and inferior
dimmability among them. CFLs also contain a small amount of mercury and
must be recycled at the end of their life. On the plus side, these
energy-efficient light bulbs pay for themselves in energy savings
quickly when used for three or more hours per day. The best CFL light
bulbs also cast a flattering light, much better than when they were
first offered. CFLs are a solid choice for consumers seeking more
eco-friendly lighting, but there's a new option to consider.
A Legislative and Regulatory Foundation for Energy Efficiency: More than Just CFL Light Bulbs
Legislation passed by the U.S. government in 2007 mandates
efficiency gains for commonly-used light bulbs by January 2014.
Starting in 2012 with higher wattages, light bulbs must be about 30%
more energy efficient than current standards require. While CFL light
bulbs meet this challenge, the Energy Independence and Security Act
(EISA) doesn't favor any specific technology. The broad standards have
created opportunities for leading lighting manufacturers, such as
Philips and General Electric, that are committed to developing
innovative energy-efficient light bulbs which address a wider range of
lighting applications than CFL light bulbs alone.
While the 2007 EISA covered general use bulbs, new rules for the
improved energy efficiency of so-called PAR (Parabolic Aluminized
Reflector) lamps (commonly used in residential and commercial
downlighting applications) were issued in June by the U.S. Secretary of
Energy Stephen Chu. These regulations are expected to go into effect in
the second half of 2012. Consumers will see some exciting changes as
manufacturers strive to increase the efficiency of these green light
bulbs to meet the new standards. For lower wattage lamps, i.e. those of
less than 100 watts, the 2012 standards will drive efficiency up by 24%
to 87% depending on bulb diameter, wattage and voltage. This mandate is
also technologically neutral, leaving manufacturers free to unleash
their ingenuity in designing the energy-efficient light bulbs they wish
to produce and make available to the U.S. market.
High-Efficiency Halogen Lamps - A Clear Choice in Green Light Bulbs
Lamp manufacturers have been aware of consumer dissatisfaction with CFL
light bulbs and have actively participated in recent legislative and
regulatory processes aimed at arresting the pace of climate change due
to lighting-related greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, proactive
lighting companies have been investing resources in R&D to ensure
compliance with forthcoming laws and regulations while giving
individual and business consumers a wider choice of energy-efficient
light bulbs.
As a result, right now, almost three years ahead of schedule,
screw-in high efficiency halogen lamps are on the market. These
energy-efficient light bulbs have several advantages over CFL light
bulbs:
- Instant-on technology
- Sparkling white light: not blue, not butterscotch, just crisp and clear
- Superior dimmability (and because they're in the incandescent family, extended lifespan when dimmed)
- Compatible with motion control sensors
- Stable light output: will fire regardless of ambient temperature
- Suitable for use in fully-enclosed fixtures
- 100% Mercury-free
What makes these energy-efficient light bulbs greener than the traditional bulbs being phased out?
- High-efficiency halogens use less electricity to produce the same amount of light.
Example 1: Philips offers a 70 watt general-purpose bulb, which is
equivalent to a 100 watt standard incandescent. That's 30% more energy
efficient and nearly 10% more efficient than required by EISA by
January 1, 2012.
- High efficiency halogens last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
Example 2: GE's 48 watt PAR30 bulb (itself 20% more energy efficient
than the applicable DOE 2012 rules for incandescent reflectors) has a
4,200 hour average rated life, 40% longer than the 75 watt halogen lamp
it is designed to replace.
Extra life translates into more time to realize financial and carbon emissions savings.
In Conclusion
For consumers, business owners and public institutions committed to
reducing energy consumption through simple changes in lighting choices,
there are energy-efficient light bulbs for every need. Innovative new
products are already here with more being introduced all the time.
About the Author
Peter Ellinwood is the founder and owner of GreenPoma,
which offers hard-to-find, 'green' light bulbs at competitive prices.
Ellinwood has an extensive background in product management and
marketing, spending 25 years in the insurance industry in Boston,
Baltimore, and Annapolis. He eventually decided to use his existing
knowledge of marketing for a greater purpose - offering energy-saving light bulbs along with simple advice and easy ways to go green. For more information on GreenPoma or to make a purchase, please visit www.greenpoma.com.
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