Lighting Standards

Traditional incandescent light bulbs have not changed in more than a century

They are one of the most inefficient products in most homes. As part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), traditional light bulbs must be 25 percent more energy efficient while maintaining the brightness and quality. These Federal standards are intended to reduce energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on foreign sources of energy.

The new lighting standards will be phased in starting with the 100-watt bulb the first year, followed by 75-, 60- and 40-watt bulbs over the next two years. Compliant bulbs will operate at lower wattages for similar light output, or brightness, which is measured in lumens, as shown below:

So what do these new standards mean for you?

You may have heard some myths about the new lighting standards and how they affect you. Here’s the reality on two of the most common misconceptions:

Incandescent bulbs are not going away

Remember, the new lighting standards set minimum efficiency requirements for light bulbs; they do not ban incandescent technology. In fact, you’ll be able to purchase new and improved incandescent bulbs that use less energy. More efficient incandescent bulbs are already on the market.

You’ll have more lighting choices

Contrary to what you may have heard, you will not be forced to buy CFLs. You’ll be able to choose from a variety of lighting options including incandescent, CFL, halogen and Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology, all of which will be 25 percent or more energy efficient than the 125-year-old Edison light bulb.

You will, however, need to change the way you shop for light bulbs. Because the wattages for equivalent light outputs vary depending on the technology of the bulbs, now you’ll need to choose a light bulb based on lumens. The new Lighting Facts Label will make it easy for you to compare and buy the most energy-efficient bulb for your needs. In the end, the new lighting standards will help you use less energy and spend less money on your energy bill for the same amount of light. In fact, a typical household could potentially save $100 to $150 per year on their electric bill. Plus, you can choose to keep using your incandescent bulbs for as long as they last, or you can switch to more efficient bulbs with more options to choose from.