It's lights out for traditional light bulbs

[renovation]

Turn out the lights on traditional incandescent bulbs.

A little-noticed provision of the energy bill, which is expected to become law, phases out the 125-year-old bulb in the next four to 12 years in favor of a new generation of energy-efficient lights that will cost consumers more but return their investment in a few months.

The new devices include current products such as compact fluorescents and halogens, as well as emerging products such as light-emitting diodes and energy-saving incandescent bulbs.

"This will get us in line with the rest of the advanced industrial world in moving toward more efficient lighting," says Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., chairman of the Senate energy committee and author of the Senate measure requiring the tougher standards.

The energy bill passed the Senate last week and is expected to clear the House this week. President Bush has said he will sign it.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...ht-bulbs_N.htm

[ShawnLee]

I think that it's come time for Christmas lights to be more efficient. I dislike the idea of government getting involved, but I like the idea of more LED Christmas lights.

[zippyjuan]

Our local utility was having a Christmas light exchange- giving you a string of LED lights for each string of standard lights you bring in. LEDs seem to be the future for lighting. There is some concern about the mercury in CFL lights (compact florecent). LEDs use even less electricity for the same level of output too.

[Hoser]

According to this story at www.nytimes.com, Congress has not specifically outlawed incandescent bulbs, only inefficient ones. Why didn't the manufacturers make more efficient bulbs in the past? Probably because they weren't forced to put the time and effort into it. I think that eventually LEDs will be the wave of the future in lighting. It's happening in some areas, but it will be a little while before normal lighting in homes gets replaced.

[johnnymk]

I haven't used an incandescent bulb in my house for years. They are such a waste!

When Home Depot has the other types on sale, I buy a bunch of them.

[Markel]

I wonder what will happen to "specialty" bulbs, such as the ones that go in refrigerators or freezers. I don't see CF working very well there.

[johnnymk]

I wonder what will happen to "specialty" bulbs, such as the ones that go in refrigerators or freezers. I don't see CF working very well there.

Well, I am sure our "bright" politicians have had the foresight to allow these specialty bulbs for specific applications<<cough cough>>

[Markel]

Well, I am sure our "bright" politicians have had the foresight to allow these specialty bulbs for specific applications<<cough cough>>

That's what I was afraid of.

[zippyjuan]

Y'know, some folks have critized Congress for not doing that much lately. Maybe we should be glad they haven't done much. Although there are probably some things they should undone.

[Kevster]

I wonder what will happen to "specialty" bulbs, such as the ones that go in refrigerators or freezers. I don't see CF working very well there.

In the future, you'll probably see an ultra-bright LED being used in that application. Hopefully the specialty bulbs don't get 'mistakenly' banned by our elected dumbas politicians before then.

[Markel]

Maybe we should be glad they haven't done much.

"Be thankful you don’t get all the government you pay for." (Will Rogers)

[johnnymk]

When Congress is in session: BE AFRAID>>>BE VERY AFRAID

[Napoleon54]

Our local utility was having a Christmas light exchange- giving you a string of LED lights for each string of standard lights you bring in. LEDs seem to be the future for lighting. There is some concern about the mercury in CFL lights (compact florecent). LEDs use even less electricity for the same level of output too.

Wow, cool. That's very proactive of them. Very wise and responsible too.. if we had more stuff like that going on, there'd be less public pressure for government to get their dumb clumsy selves involved.