New bulb law takes effect in 2012

When it comes to the new federal lighting law that will be phased in starting next year, a lot of people seem to be in the dark.

For the record: No, the government is not banning all incandescent light bulbs. No, you're not being forced to switch to fluorescent lighting. No, you won't have to change all your lamps and light fixtures. Let me shed light on the issue:

Q: Why is the government regulating light bulbs?

The new lighting standards are part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which aims to reduce our energy consumption and dependence on foreign energy. Since lighting accounts for about 14 percent of the electricity used in U.S. buildings, improving energy efficiency in this area could make a significant difference.

Q: Why are incandescent bulbs being singled out?

Only 10 percent of the electricity used by a conventional incandescent light bulb goes into producing light. The rest becomes heat. Under the new law, general-service bulbs, the kind we use most often, must be roughly 25 percent more efficient.

Q: Does that mean all incandescent bulbs are being banned?

No. The law applies only to general-service bulbs, the pear-shaped, screw-in bulbs with a medium base that fit most standard lamps and lighting fixtures. What's more, the law affects only 40-, 60-, 75- and 100-watt general-service bulbs.

Manufacturers are developing more efficient incandescent bulbs called halogen incandescents that will meet the new standards. Halogen is a form of incandescent lighting that uses halogen gas in addition to a metal filament.

The bright lights

Q: Won't those halogen bulbs produce light that's more harsh?

At full power, halogen bulbs produce a brighter, crisper, whiter light than conventional incandescents. That's good for tasks such as reading, but not everyone likes it for ambient lighting. Their light can be made softer and warmer by turning them down with a dimmer.

Q: Will I be able to buy incandescent bulbs for appliances and chandeliers?

Yes. The law does not apply to appliance bulbs or candelabra-base bulbs, the kind with narrow screw-in bases.

Nor does the law apply to medium-base bulbs other than the specific general-service bulbs mentioned earlier. Among the bulbs it excludes are three-way bulbs, 150-watt bulbs, black light bulbs, bug lights, colored lights, plant lights, rough-service bulbs and shatter-resistant bulbs.

Q: When do the changes take place?

The changes go into effect for general-service, 100-watt bulbs on Jan. 1, 2012; 75-watt bulbs a year later; and 60- and 40-watt bulbs on Jan. 1, 2014. It's not entirely correct to say the government is banning those bulbs. Instead, the law limits the amount of energy a bulb can use to produce a certain amount of light.

Watts measure the amount of electricity used. Brightness is measured in lumens.

A conventional incandescent bulb uses 100 watts of electricity to produce about 1,600 lumens. Under the new standards, general-service bulbs can't use more than 72 watts to produce that amount of light. Different wattage limits apply to bulbs of other brightness levels.

Fit and price

Q: How will I know what to buy when I go shopping for light bulbs?

By midyear, light bulb packages must bear a label designed to help consumers choose bulbs. The label is similar to the nutrition facts label found on food packages.

Q: Will the new bulbs fit my old lamps and light fixtures?

For the most part, yes, assuming your lamps and fixtures are designed to fit general-service bulbs.

You can even buy those twisty compact fluorescent bulbs with coverings that give them the shape of more conventional bulbs, so you can use them in fixtures where the bulb shows or with lampshades that clip onto the bulb.

Q: Aren't these efficient bulbs more expensive?

Yes. But they cost less to operate, and some last significantly longer than conventional incandescents. So you'll pay less to buy and operate the efficient bulbs.