As of August 1, 2023, new energy efficiency rules have come into effect in the United States, meaning that most incandescent bulbs will no longer be available.
This move marks the end of an era and is the result of a decade-long effort to increase energy efficiency. LED lights will replace incandescents, which have already transformed America's energy landscape by lowering electricity demand and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The new standards require light bulbs to produce a minimum of 45 lumens per watt.
The Department of Energy estimates that Americans will save nearly $3 billion per year on their utility bills as a result of the new rules. But more importantly, the regulations are also expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 222 million metric tons over the next three decades.
In 2007, the first national efficiency standards for light bulbs were established by Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush. From 2012 onwards, the law required new bulbs to use 28% less power than older incandescent lights, heralding the start of a new era for energy-efficient designs. Following on, the implementation of the second phase of the 2007 lighting efficiency rules, which was supposed to take effect in 2020, was temporarily delayed by the Trump administration.
Some compact fluorescent lights meet the new efficiency rules in the US, but their sales have decreased significantly and are expected to drop further with the new initiative. The Biden administration has proposed separate efficiency standards that could also ban these lights.
The many environmental groups and experts who have been pushing for the discontinuation of fluorescent lights are pleased to see this important stride towards a more sustainable future.
Advocating for eco-friendly solutions that benefit both people and the planet is key to decarbonizing the built environment.
