On the Topic of the Edison Bulb Ban
It’s baffling that the light bulb provision in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (“EISA”) has become such a hot-button topic. This week, members of the House are expected to debate and perhaps vote on repealing the provision, which is technically a technology-neutral law. It doesn’t mandate CFLs over incandescent lights, as suggested by some; it merely requires that certain lights be roughly 25% more efficient with about the same brightness and rated life.
In other words, pursuant to EISA, the 100-watt bulb will use 72 watts or less (by Jan. 1, 2012), the 75-watt bulb will use 53 watts or less (By Jan. 1, 2013), the 60-watt bulb will use 43 watts or less (by Jan. 1, 2014), and the 40-watt bulb will use 29 watts or less (by Jan. 1, 2014).
This is a performance standard — not a ban — that will result in a shift towards CFL and LED lighting, among other technologies. Indeed, I prefer the new LEDs and old-fashioned daylighting, if available, but people will still be able to buy energy-saving incandescent lights. These use halogen technology.
Considering the fact that about 11-12% of energy use in the average household is attributable to lighting, the standard will have a dramatic impact on energy use in the US. Overall, consumers will save about $6 billion a year from the EISA standard, according to Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu.
But it’s not just that consumers will save money. Manufacturers widely support EISA, so it must be good for business, too.
In an blog published on Energy.gov , Chu continued: “ The standards help us meet America’s energy needs while also saving people money. It’s a win-win approach that just makes sense. “ He compares the standard to energy-saving improvements applied to refrigerator technology. Fridge improvements save families about $150 per year, he says.
But what’s your perspective? Let the market decide? Set a minimum standard? Will the repeal of EISA light bulb provisions stall innovation? Or hurt US businesses? Is this a matter of choice? Or how energy is used? Yes, the more efficient incandescent bulbs are known as halogen / tungsten-halogen. But frankly, I think we should have had an federal efficiency tax, instead of performance standards limitations. The less efficient your bulb is, the more you’ll pay in taxes, to offset those who adopt the most-efficient bulbs…and let people choose which they want. Scale the tax up slowly, and you effortlessly push people towards greater efficiency. And you prevent the sort of loophole laws that Texas is seeking.
Edison Light Bulb - News
It's a mash-up of Fox News bashing the light bulb provision in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (“EISA”). Most of the commentators seem to have an aversion to CFLs for one reason or another (ie, bulb appearance, bulb cost, light quality
Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor who perfected the electric light bulb, the phonograph and the motion picture camera, not only owned land but operated an experimental iron ore mine and processing plant near Bechtelsville around 1890.
Sure, Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb and the record player, but he probably never even thought of creating a dress that looks like a vending machine or a heated bra. To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment;
12, 2011 | Topics: Energy Efficiency, News | 4 Comments It's baffling that the light bulb provision in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (“EISA”) has become such a hot-button topic. This week, members of the House are expected to debate
Rather, it phases in higher requirements for energy efficiency that the old incandescents — in use for more than 100 years since they were developed by Thomas Edison — do not meet because much of their energy creates heat rather than light.
Edison's Light Bulb: Like Lawn Darts, Only Rounder
This past Tuesday, you may have heard that the US House of Representatives voted to uphold new standards for light bulb efficiency, set to be enacted next year. If by chance you didn’t, it’s probably because you’re too busy running around town stockpiling every last incandescent bulb you can find before the government sticks it’s nose in your business once again to tell you what you can and can’t buy. You’ll probably store them next to the lawn darts on a shelf above your extra barrels of DDT.
Except the government isn’t telling you what you can buy; they’re just telling manufacturers they need to do better. In fact, there will still be some incandescents on the market that meet the new standards. But for the most part, the regulations will mean the cheap incandescents that have changed remarkably little since Edison first had his bright idea will be officially pushed aside in favor of much more energy-efficient and longer-lasting fluorescents and LEDs.
But to be sure, the light bulb debate brings up some interesting dilemmas. Some folks gripe about the harsh white glare of the swirly compact fluorescent versus the warm yellowish glow of the good ol’ incandescent. I wonder if those people have ever heard of lamp shades and decorative fixtures, or are their homes lit exclusively with bare bulbs? Or if they really want warmth from their lighting, perhaps they should stock up on candles and wood for the fireplace. I hear lit candelabras create wonderful ambience.
In all seriousness, concern over lighting quality is valid. Early CFLs were rather harsh and most took a full minute or longer to reach full brightness. Those early shortcomings, however, have been overcome. We’ve got an apartment full of CFLs and all of them come on instantly at full power and leave nothing wanting in that hard-to-define warmth department.
Of course the whole point to installing CFLs or their even more miserly and durable alternative, the LED, is to save energy and not have to replace the bulbs as frequently, both of which save money in the long run. At this, they deliver. And a reduction in energy consumption benefits us all in the form of reduced resource consumption and pollution from electricity production. This last point, to me, is the key. The burning of fossil fuels for power generation is detrimental to the health of people and the environment. So, less energy consumption = less carbon emissions = better for everyone.
RT @: Thomas Edison was afraid of the dark. (Hence, the light bulb?). 
Thomas Edison was afraid of the dark. (Hence, the light bulb?). 
Rand. Fact of d. Day: Thomas Edison was afraid of the dark, he also invented the light bulb.
9 out of 10 people believe Thomas Edison invented the light bulb.This isn't true; Joseph Swan did. www.sexport.co.za - for amazing models.
RT @: Thomas Edison was afraid of the dark. (Hence, the light bulb?). Edison Light Bulb - Bookshelf
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