No more incandescent light bulbs will be made or sold. Find out why

Krys'tal Griffin, Delaware News Journal
·3 min read

The month of August signals many things; the last stretch of summer, back to school and last-minute beach trips.

This year, August brings another momentous occasion: the ban on incandescent light bulbs, which began on Aug. 1 after the Biden administration reinstated legislation in 2022 barring the use of the bulbs.

Why are incandescent light bulbs now banned?

General Electric light bulbs are displayed in a supermarket April 5, 2021, in New York. The Biden administration is scrapping old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs. Rules finalized by the Energy Department will require manufacturers to sell energy-efficient lightbulbs.
General Electric light bulbs are displayed in a supermarket April 5, 2021, in New York. The Biden administration is scrapping old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs. Rules finalized by the Energy Department will require manufacturers to sell energy-efficient lightbulbs.

The ban on incandescent light bulbs is due to newer forms of lighting providing a more energy-efficient way to light homes.

LED light bulbs use at least 75% less energy and last 25 to 50 times longer than incandescent bulbs, according to the Department of Energy, which estimates consumers will save nearly $3 billion a year on utility bills because of the switch.

The Energy Department reports that carbon emissions are projected to be cut by 222 million metric tons over the next 30 years by raising energy-efficiency standards for light bulbs, an amount equivalent to the emissions generated by 28 million homes in one year.

The average family will save at least $100 per year, according to the Energy Department.

When did incandescent light bulbs become an issue?

Attempting to eliminate the nationwide manufacture of incandescent light bulbs is not a new effort. Measures to phase out their use began with President George W. Bush in 2007 when his Energy Independence and Security Act called for household light bulbs to have “about 25 percent greater efficiency,” according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Since then, the issue has been broached multiple times.

In 2017, President Barack Obama added two regulations to the act that would phase out incandescent bulbs and other specialty bulbs by January 2020, according to the EPA. These regulations were later withdrawn by the Trump administration in 2019.

In April 2022, President Joe Biden passed a rule stating light bulbs must emit a minimum of 45 lumens per watt.

Which light bulbs are banned under the new rule?

Under the policy going into effect this month, a minimum energy-efficiency standard of 45 lumens per watt is in place, meaning bulbs under that efficiency level will not be allowed on the market.

While LED lights can measure 70 to 100 lumens per watt, traditional incandescent light bulbs provide only 15 lumens per watt, according to light bulb manufacturer Phillips.

If you have banned bulbs in your home, you do not need to throw them out. This ban is on the manufacture and sale of bulbs only, not the use of them.

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Which light bulbs are allowed under the new rule?

The Energy Department reports that carbon emissions are projected to be cut by 222 million metric tons over the next 30 years from raising energy efficiency standards for light bulbs, an amount equivalent to the emissions generated by 28 million homes in one year.
The Energy Department reports that carbon emissions are projected to be cut by 222 million metric tons over the next 30 years from raising energy efficiency standards for light bulbs, an amount equivalent to the emissions generated by 28 million homes in one year.

Some types of incandescent light bulbs will still be sold in stores under the new rule. According to the Department of Energy, the following bulbs are allowed to be manufactured and sold:

  • Appliance lamps

  • Black light lamps

  • Bug lamps

  • Colored lamps

  • General service fluorescent lamps

  • High-intensity discharge lamps

  • Infrared lamps

  • Left-hand thread lamps

  • Marine lamps

  • Plant lights

  • Flood lights

  • Reflector lamps

  • Showcase lamps

  • Traffic signals

  • Other specialty lights, including R20 short lamps and silver bowl lamps

Reporter Gabe Hauari contributed to this report.

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.   

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Incandescent light bulb ban in effect on Aug. 1. What to know and why