New, federally-mandated light bulbs will cost $50 -- each

[Juliuscaesar]

NEW YORK – Two leading makers of lighting products are showcasing LED bulbs that are bright enough to replace energy-guzzling 100-watt light bulbs set to disappear from stores in January.

Their demonstrations at the LightFair trade show in Philadelphia this week mean that brighter LED bulbs will likely go on sale next year, but after a government ban takes effect.

The new bulbs will also be expensive — about $50 each — so the development may not prevent consumers from hoarding traditional bulbs.

The technology in traditional "incandescent" bulbs is more than a century old. Such bulbs waste most of the electricity that feeds them, turning it into heat. The 100-watt bulb, in particular, produces so much heat that it's used in Hasbro's Easy-Bake Oven.

To encourage energy efficiency, Congress passed a law in 2007 mandating that bulbs producing 100 watts worth of light meet certain efficiency goals, starting in 2012. Conventional light bulbs don't meet those goals, so the law will prohibit making or importing them. The same rule will start apply to remaining bulbs 40 watts and above in 2014. Since January, California has already banned stores from restocking 100-watt incandescent bulbs.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110516...tZV9jb2tlBHNlYwN5bl9oZWFkbGluZV9saXN0BHNsawNs

 

[DJCowboy]

How long can these bulbs last? If it says in the article, I apologize but I just am too lazy to click on a link

 

[Juliuscaesar]

Didn't say how long, but longer than regular light bulbs.

 

[darkwarrior3007]

Are these the same light bulbs that last 25 years?

 

[STDiva]

How long can these bulbs last? If it says in the article, I apologize but I just am too lazy to click on a link

Over 9000 days.

 

[Juliuscaesar]

Compact fluorescents are the most obvious replacement, but they have drawbacks. They contain a small amount of toxic mercury vapor, which is released if they break or are improperly thrown away. They last longer than traditional bulbs but not as long as LEDs. Brighter models are bulky and may not fit in existing fixtures.

 

[DJCowboy]

Fuck, that's worth it in my opinion... at least for one room

 

[Juliuscaesar]

Except they have mercury in them..

 

[Kingfisher]

Dollars to donuts that those two assholes have a stake in the company if the bulbs are $50 bucks a pop. Jackasses...

 

[Tittyman5000]

I bought a bunch of those energy saving bulbs that look like a coil, they were like ten bucks each so we put them in every room that light is commonly used, I even replaced the outside lights. They told me I would save $70 dollars per year.
Boy do I feel dumb!

 

[Trident1]

Wow now the gov't is telling us what we can and cannot buy........great. Buy these shitty carcinogen causing mercury filled fuckbulbs for a measly little 50.00 dollars. How the hell did this shit get passed as law?
Oooh let me guess some "Green" prick decided for everyone.

I bought a bunch of those energy saving bulbs that look like a coil, they were like ten bucks each so we put them in every room that light is commonly used, I even replaced the outside lights. They told me I would save $70 dollars per year.
Boy do I feel dumb!

Dude those "Green" bulbs are a serious health hazard.

 

[1bbcd5]

They contain a small amount of toxic mercury vapor, which is released if they break or are improperly thrown away.
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[capricorn]

LED lightbulbs certainly last much, much longer than traditional lightbulbs, and they really do consume only a tiny portion of the energy that the traditional ones consume. However it is a sad fact that Congress, or any other regulatory body, prohibits traditional lightbulbs from being produced and sold. People should make the decision to switch from one light source to another themselves, on their own free will, and not be molested by government over that.

 

[STDiva]

What's all this hoopla over lightbulbs????!!!??? It's a fucking light bulb. Who cares if they ban those piece of shit old bulbs? Would you rather change your bulbs 2-3 times a year?? Or is this just "I'm a grumpy old man and don't want nobody done telling what I can or can't buy!!"

When they start banning gas powered vehicles you can be upset. But lightbulbs?? Cmon man. We talkin bout lightbulbs. Lightbulbs man! Not vehicles. Not weapons. Not the things we love. Lightbulbs! We talkin bout lightbulbs man.

 

[capricorn]

What's all this hoopla over lightbulbs????!!!??? It's a fucking light bulb. Who cares if they ban those piece of shit old bulbs? Would you rather change your bulbs 2-3 times a year?? Or is this just "I'm a grumpy old man and don't want nobody done telling what I can or can't buy!!"

When they start banning gas powered vehicles you can be upset. But lightbulbs?? Cmon man. We talkin bout lightbulbs. Lightbulbs man! Not vehicles. Not weapons. Not the things we love. Lightbulbs! We talkin bout lightbulbs man.

Lightbulbs are the first step...

 

[D-rock]

I still wonder whether bulbs meant for heat lamps will still be able to be bought. I can see it making a difference for people like farmers that use them to keep young animals warm, and for some people that use them to keep their pipes from freezing in the winter.

 

[TheOrangeCat]

Firstly, this thread's title is totally disingenuous. The new light bulb in NOT Federally mandated. The obsolescence of the old 100 Watt bulb is what is being mandated ....

Now, to the meat of the issue:

They should ban washing machines, fridges and central air. That would make a real difference.

Oh, and we need a Chinese style maximum number of kids law.

And ban life support machines. Those things guzzle power.

 

[Ace Bandage]

Cmon man. We talkin bout lightbulbs. Lightbulbs man! Not vehicles. Not weapons. Not the things we love. Lightbulbs! We talkin bout lightbulbs man.

I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we in here talking about light bulbs.

 

[PirateKing]

Over 9000 days.

 

[Connor Macleod]

In my house, I had some rooms where I was having to replace bulbs about once a month, so I started using those curly bulbs. That was two years ago and since then, I've only had to replace one bulb.