NEW YORK - May 16, 2011 - 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. In 2014, the same rule will start to apply to remaining bulbs 40 watts and higher. Since January, Kalifornia has already banned stores from restocking 100-watt incandescent bulbs.
Creating good alternatives to the light bulb has been more difficult than expected, especially for the very bright 100-watt bulbs. Part of the problem is that these new bulbs have to fit into lamps and ceiling fixtures designed for older technology.
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.
Most people will not go along with the ban on traditional incandescent light bulbs. A black market is expected to arise and Americans will likely continue to find creative ways to obtain the light bulbs they want.
For example, in the face of a comprehensive ban on incandescent light bulbs, one entrepreneur in Germany packaged these same light bulbs as miniature heaters. He has a thriving business selling these light bulbs, and as long as he does not package them as light bulbs, the State leaves him alone.