US Bids Goodbye To The Incandescent Light Bulb As Nation Phases It Out

This week, the US Department of Energy announced it will be banning the incandescent light bulb from July 2023, with suppliers and sellers of the old-school option having to begin phasing it out immediately. 

According to Gizmodo, an average incandescent bulb has an energy efficiency of 15 lumens per watt, while a halogen bulb may reach 25 lumens per watt. Under the new regulations, lightbulbs that do not meet a minimum efficiency of 45 lumens per watt must be phased out of production within 75 days.

With this measure in place, the government estimates consumers in the country will save nearly US$3 billion annually in collective utility bills by switching to LED bulbs, and could reduce carbon emissions by 222 million metric tons—equivalent to the greenhouse gases produced by 28 million homes yearly—over the next three decades. 

Furthermore, apart from being more energy-efficient and better for the environment, it’s said that LED lightbulbs last 25 to 50 times longer than regular incandescent bulbs. 

“By raising energy efficiency standards for lightbulbs, we’re putting $3 billion back in the pockets of American consumers every year and substantially reducing domestic carbon emissions,” explained Jennifer M Granholm, US Secretary of Energy. 

“The lighting industry is already embracing more energy efficient products, and this measure will accelerate progress to deliver the best products to American consumers and build a better and brighter future,” she added. 

[via Gizmodo and US Department of Energy, cover image via Choneschones | Dreamstime.com]