The phase-out of incandescent light bulbs

[Joel_BC]

I’m in Canada and the availability of 75 and 100w incandescent light bulbs has already become a bit of a problem in my province - retailers are prohibited, by regulation, from restocking those bulbs. This is part of an overall phase-out of incandescent bulbs of various wattages, sizes, and styles for energy-effeiciency reasons. My understanding is that this has also be mandated, and will come into effect, in the US - for the same reason.

I'm wondering about the light fixtures and lamps many of us have selected for shop lighting (yes, I know, a lot of guys are using fluorescents for the overhead, ambient lighting in their shops). I'm interested in both applications of overall shop lighting and specific lighting fairly intense-light needs for close-up . For these applications, a lot of us already own good lamps that have reflectors that were designed with an incandescent bulb in mind.

The substitutes that I've seen discussed are a variety of compact fluourescents and LED units. Personally, I don’t know that any screw-in 120v LED unit that I’ve yet seen will work well for close-up work as a good substitute in the "workbench top" type of lamp fixture. (I could be wrong about what's available and affordable, so do let me know what I'm missing).

But maybe even less well adapted to the need I've cited might be the compact flourescents. Not sure, haven’t tried any cfs in the work-light kind of lamp unit I'm describing. We have cfs in a few locations in our house where diffuse, less-bright illumination is okay. But in certain situations, I feel strong and pretty directional lighting is needed.

Example: My wife has a reflector lamp that she uses for design work – she’s a professional sculptor and works in modelling wax, which is later mold transferred for fabricating foundry-poured bronzes. She has a studio in our converted barn. Can her desk-type lamp, that now uses a 100w incandescent bulb nicely, be adequately retrofitted using a compact flourescent? I should add that she wants bright light, but warm light – not some garish cold tone. And preferably light without the 60-cycles-per-second flicker that some people have a subliminal response to, and therefore do not like.

For a more specialized instance of a bulb I really like… I have a workbench lamp, for use when I do oxy-acetylene welding. The lamp is designed for a pretty bright 32mm-diameter incandescent bulb, which fits within a compact reflector. I realize this bulb is a specialty item. But I wonder, will these special bulbs be on the market in two or three years here in Canada? (or in four years down in the States?)

Of course, the more overall question for home & outbuildings is: How can we manage the transition, in those instances where a 75 or 100w bulb (the two that have already been banned from the market up here) has always been 'just the ticket'?

[fishhead]

I just saw a program with a light bulb maker. He said there was no ban coming and they continue to make incandescent light bulbs.

[Joel_BC]

Originally Posted by fishhead

I just saw a program with a light bulb maker. He said there was no ban coming and they continue to make incandescent light bulbs.

I don't claim to have the definitive word on this, concerning the U.S.

Maybe take a look at this thread from a thread elsewhere on Homesteading Today:
Light bulbs

[Windy in Kansas]

Originally Posted by fishhead

I just saw a program with a light bulb maker. He said there was no ban coming and they continue to make incandescent light bulbs.

While there isn't an outright ban, such bulbs will have to draw less energy than previously.
In the U.S. it is 100 watt and 60 watt bulbs if I remember correctly..

Wikipedia explains the regulations by country. You can find the ones for Canada there.

Here is what it said about the U.S.
"Federal legislation

In December 2007, many of these state efforts became moot when the federal government enacted the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which requires all general-purpose light bulbs that produce 310–2600 lumens of light[8] be 30% more energy efficient (similar to current halogen lamps) than current incandescent bulbs by 2012 to 2014. The efficiency standards will start with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014.

Light bulbs outside of this range are exempt from the restrictions (historically, less than 40 Watts or more than 150 Watts). Also exempt are several classes of specialty lights, including appliance lamps, rough service bulbs, 3-way, colored lamps, and plant lights.

By 2020, a second tier of restrictions would become effective, which requires all general-purpose bulbs to produce at least 45 lumens per watt (similar to current CFLs). Exemptions from the Act include reflector flood, 3-way, candelabra, colored, and other specialty bulbs."

[Joel_BC]

Originally Posted by Windy in Kansas

While there isn't an outright ban, such bulbs will have to draw less energy than previously.
In the U.S. it is 100 watt and 60 watt bulbs if I remember correctly..

In December 2007, many of these state efforts became moot when the federal government enacted the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which requires all general-purpose light bulbs that produce 310–2600 lumens of light[8] be 30% more energy efficient (similar to current halogen lamps) than current incandescent bulbs by 2012 to 2014. The efficiency standards will start with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014.

Light bulbs outside of this range are exempt from the restrictions (historically, less than 40 Watts or more than 150 Watts). Also exempt are several classes of specialty lights, including appliance lamps, rough service bulbs, 3-way, colored lamps, and plant lights."

Hmmm... It may be that you in the US will not really have to deal with the issue I raised for a while, then - possibly some people in cetain states will have to soon, though?

Anyhow, thanks Windy.

Windy, do you have any views or info on the questions I originally asked (concerning appropriate substitution options)?

[Windy in Kansas]

Originally Posted by Joel_BC

Windy, do you have any views or info on the questions I originally asked (concerning appropriate substitution options)?

I don't know that I can help at all. The Wikipedia article did provide state by state and country by country information as to what each would be requiring and when.

In the alternative energy forum (if I remember correctly) the question about incandescents was discussed. I think it is Phillips that has begun production on an energy saving incandescent bulb which meets at least U.S. energy saving requirements.

I use compact fluorescents in some fixtures including task lighting similar to what you asked about, but I only use very low wattage ones and have no issues with flicker.

I rarely use 100 watt bulbs in any fixture, but I have 2-3 sleeves of new bulbs in stock, and I recently purchased enough new 60 watt bulbs to use as replacements for many years to come. In other words, they might stop selling them but I'll keep using them well beyond the stop sales date. I also buy pesticides for future use once a ban has been issued and if I feel the product warrants such. Sure wish I had stocked up on chlordane before it became unavailable. If I used it and had need I would stock up on methyl bromide. Supposed to be phased out but so far mfgs and EPA haven't come up with acceptable alternatives.

[alleyyooper]

Since i use 40 watt bulbs to heat the dog houses in the winter. I to have started stock pileing them. I intend to buy some haligen type bulbs soon and see if I can get the heat out of them I do for the a0 watters.
I stuck a temp probe in the dog house the other day. While the probe showed 18F outside of the house the light and dog inside had the house showing a temp of 54F.

I think the haligen are going to be the way to go for intence light useage

Al

[Joel_BC]

Originally Posted by Windy in Kansas

I use compact fluorescents in some fixtures including task lighting similar to what you asked about, but I only use very low wattage ones and have no issues with flicker.

Windy (or anyone), I'm wondering whether you've found the official "equivalences" between incandescent bulbs and specific compact fluorescents to be accurate - or if, instead, you've decided it's strictly a matter of trial and error? For the purposes of substitution, I mean.

[Windy in Kansas]

Where I use CFLs I generally only need a small amount of light. Ex: I used a CFL 7 watt until it finally quit and since I couldn't find any 7 watt ones I went to a 9 watt one. Since then I have bought some 11 watt CFLs simply because they were cheaper than the others.

In other words I can't help you, but I generally do look at the lumen rating when shopping for any kind of lightbulbs.

[Txrider]

Originally Posted by Joel_BC

Windy (or anyone), I'm wondering whether you've found the official "equivalences" between incandescent bulbs and specific compact fluorescents to be accurate - or if, instead, you've decided it's strictly a matter of trial and error? For the purposes of substitution, I mean.

I switched to all CFL's years ago, incandescnets were just burning out to fast and I had to replace em too often. The CFL's don't every seem to burn out when I use them. I think I have lost 3-4 in 10 years.

I do not see the equivalence being accurate really, more a trial and error thing.

Also I have found I need to pay attention to the light color of the CFL's as I guess they don't put out as wide a range of light spectrum, so you need to look at the box and get the light color you want which varies between bluer or redder etc. I use that and the lumen rating to go by.

I'm waiting for the latest LED technology to get to market and I'll likely switch to all LED lights, they may even be bright enough to use for car headlights soon.

[DIM TIM]

I've been hearing conflicting reports on this subject for some time now. We may HAVE no choice eventually. Till that day comes, I plan to buy a number of extra bulbs as often as money,time, and storage space allow.

And just to be on the safe side of the lighting issue...if for some reason there comes a time when we are hit with a terrorist attack, or a Coronal Mass Ejection, then if the grid goes completely Pffffftt, I have some back-up plans for us using 12V.D.C. auto tail lights and batteries with a solar recharging system. I found a place that sells sdspter sockets some time back, and ordered a couple to test. I am quite pleased, and will be getting more. I'm also stocking up on these bulbs as well. The page is here. http://www.kansaswindpower.net/lights%20DC.htm
Scroll down to nearthe end of the page, and the adapter is on the left side ( Bayonet Base Adapter No. L450 ). They are not cheap, but should last a lifetime, so they are worth it as far as I'm concerned.

Being in the dark ( litterally ) is a very disconcerting thing. Light always keeps the boogyman ( either real or imagined ) at bay.

So stock up big time if you are really concerned, and have an alternate plan for when things go really bad.

[Blu3duk]

While i cannot answer the original question very well i can add my own finding into the mix about the llittle CFL lights, first they really do not work well in cold applications, the open back porch where i installed one recently takes a couple minutes to bring it up to speed, then it is not as bright as the indoor application i put a similar light in..... further it barely went into the the housing sconce that was made for the porch, and it hung below allowing the kids cat to jump up grab it and pull it apart recently....and there it hung, not broken bulb but pulled apart and the ballast no longer wired..... not a good ting the way they are manufactered, ok maybe not eveyone has a cat that wants in the house and tries grabbing whatever is there [he has turned the door knob and let himself in one time].

I have a couple lights where ive put these CFL bulbs in and in some places they work well, like the chandelier fan over the dinning table, but there are 3, in my reading lamp it gives me enough light over my shoulder, but if i was trying to use it in a shop for close work i really dont know if the smaller ones ive bought would do the trick, i do have a couple that are rated with similar lumens of a 100 watt incandesant, though my light meter says not quite the same.

I like some LED's ive found for head lamps and so forth, but i have not tried any for replacing incandescent yet for those that i have found online are so spendy that i just passed on them..... the only LED platform i am considering is the full spectrum lights for greenhouse growing and using in a hydroponic situation for inside the house for growing greens during the winter months when here in Idaho the sun really is not available, and even those are a wee bit spendy for what you get, but they take a whole lot less power and put off virtually no heat which inside the house is nice.

I like the LED's that i have seen on vehicle taillights, though i dont know if any will be made to retro fit the old standards that will be bright enough for those applications being able to see the required distance.... And of course the LED vests for safety is really gonna be a HUGE seller, cause the person wearing the vest can be seen BETTER day or night and that may save a life or injury.... i know that does not help with the answer but ive seen several vest applications where i really like them.

If only the people in the law making decision places did not think that people were totally idiots and cant make informed decisions for them selves, we would be better off, and the market place would determine if the CFL and LED lights were really so much better than the "energy hogging" incandescent bulbs. but the corporations which make the CFL and LED have the ears if not the pocket books of those decision makers and we are all left with out much choice but to adapt our ways.

William
Idaho

[Roadking]

All I can really add here is that DW has been on a stockpiling mission for the 34 and 40 watters that we use. She cannot stand the CFLs, they give her headaches and hurt her eyes whule reading. Her statement to me was simple..."I want enough if them that I'll have plenty left in 40 years"...At the rate she's goin, our grandkids (if we have them some day) will have a heck on an antique collection of bulbs...LOL!
Matt

[Joel_BC]

The discussion made me realize that a really interesting question is: "Where are the last places you would replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs?"

[Joel_BC]

Hope it's okay to bump this thread up...

I've been thinking about this topic again. So I thought that maybe eight months time might have made some differences in the picture... or maybe in the way people here are dealing with it.

Your use of CFLs and LEDs?

[ninny]

Heard a congress person say yesterday that the ban on incandescent bulbs in the U.S. has been delayed for 1 yr.

.

[beowoulf90]

Originally Posted by Joel_BC

The discussion made me realize that a really interesting question is: "Where are the last places you would replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs?"

Any place that gets colder then 50 degrees

We have them at the moment on the back porch and our kitchen and the living room.. When these finally burn out they will be replaced with incandescent bulbs or if I can find a good LED replacement fixture /bulb..

Our home is only heated with coal stoves, so we don't always have a steady heat and these stupid CFL's don't provide a good light, so you have to turn on table lamps and such with incandescent bulbs at least until they warm up..

CFL = junk

At least in my not so humble opinion and I hate using them.. I would rather hang fluorescent shop lights in the kitchen or living room.. As for the back porch, that will get a incandescent soon.. Most times when you turn the back porch light on it is only on for a few minutes, so having to wait for the light to come up to speed is stupid and sometimes takes more then 15 minutes..

Now if I can find a workable solution using LED's then I may go that route..