photo by laudu
I’ve heard some rumors about CFL bulbs becoming required…. is that true?
According to Energy Star, the “Energy Bill” signed in December 2007 does require that by 2012 all our bulbs will use 30% less energy.
This bill will start to take effect in January 2012 when the 100-watt bulbs that don’t meet the 30% less requirement will begin to be phased out. By January 2014 the last of the bulbs will disappear.
The Energy Bill doesn’t say that CFL bulbs will be specifically required, it just says that any bulbs sold after 2014 should use 30% less energy than they do today. By 2020 it’s required that they use 70% less energy.
The good news is that today’s CFL bulbs already meet this 70% less energy requirement. Click here to read how CFL bulbs can save you $180 per year.
So, in answer to your question, CFL bulbs won’t be required, but more efficient bulbs will be. Incandescent bulbs, halogens and LEDs are likely to evolve to meet the Energy Bill’s requirements. Specialty lights, colored bulbs, bug lights and several others are exempt from the Energy Bill.
“Lighting is approximately 20% of the average household’s energy bill,” Energy Star says. “NRDC estimates this law could cut our nation’s electric bill by more than $10 billion a year.”
