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Health & Fitness

New Look of Light Bulbs – The Phase Out of Incandescent Light Bulbs

There are big changes coming in the lighting sections in hardware stores. Consumers will have more lighting options, but will need to be educated on how to select the proper bulbs. .

“Greening” your home, business, school, and house of worship should include reviewing your lighting options.

If you have been to the lighting section of your local hardware store during the past few years, you will have noticed big changes in the light bulbs being sold. These changes are due in part to the Energy Independence and Security Act (ESIA) of 2007. 

EISA requires that many general-purpose incandescent light bulbs be 30% more energy efficient by 2012 to 2014.  Starting next month, 100 watt incandescent light bulbs will be phased out unless manufacturers improve the bulb’s efficiency by the 30% EISA mandate.  

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With improved technologies and the looming phase out of incandescent light bulbs, there have been rapid developments in energy efficient light bulbs, particularly with bulbs using light emitting diode (LED) technology.  Not only do LED bulbs use less electricity than both incandescent and compact fluorescent lights, they have a rated life of over 25,000 hours (more the 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs!).

Unlike incandescent bulbs, the new energy efficient bulbs are designed to provide a wide range of colors (cool, warm, and daylight). With choice, however, consumers will need to understand the Kelvin color scale, or they may be dissatisfied with the new light bulbs.

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The lower Kelvin “warm” lights (2700 to 3000 K) provide a full glow similar to incandescent light bulbs. These bulbs are good for living rooms and bedrooms and are more flattering for skin tones and clothing. 

Higher Kelvin “cool” lights (3500 to 4100 K) provide a clean glow which is good for areas with visual tasks such as kitchens and offices because these bulbs provide good light contrast.  Light bulbs that are above 5000 K provide daylight conditions which are good for reading.  Visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls_color for more information.

On Tuesday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m., GreenWheaton will have a special Lighting Program at Wheaton’s All Eco Center at 2662 University Blvd West in Wheaton, MD 20902. 

The presenters are Sara Lappano (a local lighting expert) who will discuss trends in residential and commercial lighting and Delegate Al Carr, who will discuss dark-sky lighting initiatives and Wheaton’s outdoor lighting.  I will moderate the panel presentation.  New energy efficient light systems will be on display and there will be door prizes!

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