Why Incandescent Light Bulbs Are So 2011 [Infographic]

In 2007, President George W. Bush signed an energy bill that would have phased out incandescent light bulbs starting in 2012. It was a rare pro-environmental decision for the former President that would have cut energy use and climate pollution equivalent to 17 million cars.

Unfortunately, even this simple step toward greater energy conservation irritated the Washington elite and the corporations they represent. On Friday Congress blocked those regulations from going into effect next month by inserting language into the spending bill that averted a federal government shutdown.

Just because the legislation was delayed doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the financial benefits of switching to more efficient light bulbs, however.

Understanding the energy impact differences of different types of light bulbs is important, and plays a much larger role in energy efficiency than most realize.

Check out the infographic below to learn more about the energy usage of different light bulb types. And then pledge to replace those energy-sucking incandescent bulbs with CFLs or LEDs in 2012.

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Image Credit: Flickr – anton fomkin
Infographic created by WellHome Energy Audits

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

j G.

6:43AM PST on Jan 29, 2012

Why are people thinking the CFL bulbs are so great, when they contain Mercury. Mercury is a huge pollutant! If you accidentally break one, or one explodes in your home, how are you going to protect yourself and your family from breathing mercury into their lungs? Seems to me, you would need to call a HAZ MAT group to clean the area. Meantime, you would not be able to go in the room where the bulb broke or exploded. These bulbs have been known to just suddenly explode. This is scary!

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Robert P.

5:41AM PST on Jan 29, 2012

The new bulbs have mercury in them which ls very toxic and breakage is not the only concern. Eventual disposal that they do not bring up. It is obvious that someone would benefit financialy from these new bulbs with little concern for the future environment.

Jusemmy A.

8:00PM PST on Jan 25, 2012

All my bulbs have been changed for high efficiency bulbs years ago. It's one way ive always liked to be efficient.however, I didn't know exactly what an impact these lightbulbs made. I'm glad I switched I should have sooner!

Elizabeth A.

8:25AM PST on Jan 24, 2012

I had changed most of my bulbs from incandescent to energy saving and then I found out they had mercury inside (a toxic component) and I dreaded one of them breaking (having pets in the house who romp and jump happily...)I also read that being exposed to their light is not that good,that is linked to some health problems...Well,I changed them again this time to 25w lamps,the only ones you can still find inn Buenos Aires and I use them very carefully...

tammy B.

7:09AM PST on Jan 24, 2012

At first, I was not happy with LED Christmas lights - just didn't look as pretty as the old Christmas lights. After using them, I found there was less chance of damage to the live tree and ornaments from the heat. And there was a savings on the December electric bill. So, LED here I come.

Magdalena H.

8:42AM PST on Jan 23, 2012

Thanks

Hi S.

1:53PM PST on Jan 22, 2012

CFL's can be great for many applications, but they do not have the quality of light (esp. CRI)
that incandescents have. For many people this difference is noticeable.

Rudolf A.

6:24AM PST on Jan 22, 2012

I do not know what Peter H means by a long warm-up time, or where he is getting his bulbs from, but the ones I use take 5 seconds to reach full strength. Not very long to wait to help save the planet.

Peter H.

3:21AM PST on Jan 22, 2012

I'm sorry but I cannot support the spread of these energy saving lightbulbs at present. The technology is still developing and quite frankly - here in the UK at least - the quality of light delivered, the warm up time required and the longetivity of these very expensive bulbs makes them an unattractive proposition both practically and financially. Get the technology right so that they can replace incandescent bulbs like for like and I'll buy all you've got! But until then, I shall continue to search out and use incandescent bulbs - including sourcing foreign supply on the internet due to our British government's Big Brother approach of banning incandescent bulb production.

Diana B.

3:46PM PST on Jan 21, 2012

CFLs aren't compatible with dimmer switches, which is what most of my house is, but i still use them anyways :)