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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

In 2013, It's Lights Out For The 75-Watt Incandescent

Let's use the occasion of the shortest day of the year to say so long to another energy-wasting incandescent lightbulb. Federal law mandates that 75-watt bulbs can no longer be made in the U.S. or imported as of January 1, although retailers can sell remaining stock. Fortunately, in Consumer Reports lightbulb tests we found an LED that uses only 17 watts but is as bright as a 75-watt bulb.

Most screw-in bulbs have to use at least 27 percent less energy by 2014 as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The phase-out started last January with 100-watt bulbs and now 75-watt lightbulbs will fade away. If you're looking for replacements consider the Philips AmbientLED (model 17W 75W A21 Soft White 418400). Using 17 watts, it instantly brightens and casts a nice warm light—it scored an impressive 99 out of 100 after 3,000 hours of testing. This dimmable LED can be used in lamps and ceiling fixtures.

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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

i use incandescents as heat lamps for my cats and to keep copper water pipes and my water pump from freezing, of course those federal idiots never even consider such things when crapping out yet another pile of their notoriously brainless legislation. i bought over 400 100 watt bulbs alone for this purpose which will hopefully be all i will ever need. i also have plenty of the lower watt bulbs for when the weather is not as cold. leave it to those dumbass politicians to make everything a hassle.

Bullard Construction said...

I'm replacing those curly mercury bulbs as fast as i replace the incandescent ones, except I'm nor polluting with mercury when i replace the old bulbs. and, I guess this spells the end of well pump freeze prevention, the EZ Bake Oven, and many uses of the old bulbs. Hey, I'm all for saving energy and alternative energy, but it needs to be market and volunteer driven, not government mandated.
Fight back.

Anonymous said...

5:29-I guess you mean fight back with our wallets.That's a good idea.

Anonymous said...

a bucket on the end of a rope never freezes. Crank pulley gets stiff sometimes.

Anonymous said...

I counted up all the 60 and 75 watt bulbs in my house and its about 30. Most of these are now CFL type (theres one burnt out in my garage right now thats less than a year old). This Phillips led model sells for forty bucks apeice at Home Depot. So it'll cost me 1200 bucks to replace them all, while generating 72 dollars in sales tax for Maryland. They advertise the bulbs last 22 years. We'll see. If using these bulbs saved me 10 bucks a month in electricity it would take 10 years at current rates to recoup the money if I replaced them all. This is why electric rates need to go up to justify the energy savings you get. BTW...how much energy is expended making these high dollar bulbs? At 40 bucks a pop I bet they are pumping out some serious carbon producing these. Does it make sense to use up energy to save energy?? Wait till they have a SNAP type program for these.

Anonymous said...

5:46, thank you for that little nugget of rural whimsy, very amusing, but it won't keep the kitty cats toasty!!

Anonymous said...

i say turn on all the lights in your house and keep them on for as long as you can. let them burn bright and long. waste energy. it feels so good. don't ask about the electric bill; just burn those suckers.

Anonymous said...

NEVER will I buy the "new" energy savers...my foot!

Anonymous said...

you can still buy 100w and 75w but they are severe duty/industrial ....but will still work it regular fixtures