Biden administration proposes lightbulb efficiency rule, reversing Trump

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The Biden administration late Friday proposed a rule that would impose a lightbulb efficiency standard after the Trump administration declined to do so.

If implemented, the Energy Department proposal would establish a "backstop" barring the sale of lightbulbs that don't meet a minimum efficiency requirement.

The move is expected to shift the market toward more-efficient LED light bulbs and away from incandescent bulbs.

The Biden administration argued that the move would both benefit consumers and provide climate benefits.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/biden-administration-proposes-lightbulb-efficiency-154934172.html

[TheRealNorth]

1. I have been using the more energy-efficient bulbs for more than 10 years....

And I generally love them because they usually last much longer (I have had a few lemons though). However, they require a trip to the junkyard to dispose of, likely including a disposal fee, and when you combine the high initial costs of the bulbs and the cost of disposal, I can see why some people are reluctant to use CFL and LED bulbs.

I wish money would be appropriated so that there wouldn't be a disposal cost.

[Grins]

3. Years ago Con Edison...

…was planning on constructing a new power plant. In design and in planning for the permit process that can take years. Not to leave out the demand for a rate increase now to cover the costs when approved.

And then demand dropped. A little bit. A year later, same thing. Just a little bit less. A year later, same thing. Demand for electricity had dropped! Why?

LED bulbs. They take far less electricity. And esp. at Christmas. Even though Christmas and commercial lighting had gone up, demand went down.

So it’s not just the cost of the bulb and its disposal, subtract what you DIDN’T have to pay for a billion dollar electric plant. (And it’s associated hazards and pollutants.)

LED lighting is a financial boon to citizens, corporations, and governments.

[TheRealNorth]

4. I wasn't disputing that they save money in the end....

It's just that it isn't as noticeable to the average person. But if you are a low income person, $15 for a box of LED light bulbs isn't cheap. It's not like you take the light bulbs with you if you are a renter and you move (altbough I actually replaced the CFL bulbs I had bought at the last place I rented for incandescent bulbs before I moved out. They only had incandescents when I had moved in.)

[forgotmylogin]

2. LED bulbs are available and cost-effective now.

The price has gone down. They are still slightly more expensive, but are rated to last years longer than standard incandescent bulbs. They pay for themselves in energy/replacement savings.

Why would you want regular bulbs? They're hotter and use more energy. It takes about 12 watts of energy for an LED to produce the same light as a 60 watt incandescent. I've unscrewed an LED that has been on for hours and it's warm but not blisteringly hot. And you can get LED lights in warm colors that look like standard incandescent bulbs, or you can get ones in cooler bluish daylight hues.

Even better, you can get color changing LEDs and completely set the mood in your home! I love being able to adjust the lights to a low blue at night or during movie watching, or blend of two colors for interesting shadows and highlights, or raise them to bright white to see everything fully. In fact, I've found a bluish/purple color setting that works almost like black light and shows up all the dust and lint and pet hair I miss with the vacuum!

[Calculating]

6. I actually really like incandescent lights for bedroom lamps and such

Can't beat that warm natural glow for when you're reading a little before bed. Whiter colored lights tend to wake me up.

[progree]

7. I have an incandescent bulb lamp on the floor with the bulb about 3" above my feet

keeping them warm so I can turn the house thermostat a degree further down than otherwise. So the inefficiency of the incandescent bulb is a feature, not a bug, in this application.

[progree]

5. Four 60w replacement LEDs for $6.99 ($1.75 each)

https://www.amazon.com/GE-Lighting-67615-Medium-10-5-Watt/dp/B01N2UTWMT/ref=asc_df_B01N2UTWMT/

(They are actually 10w each)
So even the initial cost wasn't so bad.

I remember when they were $15 for one. Then, for a long time $10 for one. Even at $15 for one it saves quite a lot more than that for electricity (about $82 difference in electricity cost). And not always having to change them is kind of nice.