Lighting Facts Label Update

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Apr 142011
 
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lighting facts label 211x300 Lighting Facts Label UpdateLast July, the Federal Trade Commission made an important announcement that changed the meaning of the words “Lighting Facts” forever.

They created new consumer packaging requirements for all medium screw base light bulbs.  The new labels, called “Lighting Facts,” would educate consumers on brightness, energy cost, life expectancy, light appearance, wattage and mercury content, making it easier to buy energy efficient light bulbs.  The labels emphasize lumens rather than watts as a way to measure light output.

Originally, the label requirements were set to take effect in July 2011.  However, the FTC just extended the deadline by six months to provide manufacturers more time to incorporate the label on packaging.  Apparently, this deadline extension was in response to a petition submitted by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

It’ll be a little while longer before you see these labels in stores.  The new deadline is January 1, 2012, coinciding with the start date for the incandescent light bulb phase out.

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Hybrid Light Bulbs

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Apr 082011
 
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hybrid light bulb Hybrid Light BulbsGeneral Electric announced it will be releasing a unique new light bulb on Earth Day.

Apparently, “hybrid” will not just be all about cars anymore.

This light bulb is a combination halogen-compact fluorescent (CFL) built inside a glass bulb shaped like a traditional incandescent. GE is calling it a hybrid-halogen CFL, and advertising it as “three bulbs in one.”

The instant brightness factor makes our new hybrid halogen-CFL more versatile than other CFLs. Simply flip that light switch and it’s at your service – immediately.” Kristin Gibbs, general manager of consumer marketing, GE Lighting

The light bulb will be available in GE Energy Smart, Soft White, and Reveal bulbs, price between $5.99 and $9.99.  Add it to the list of replacement contenders for the standard incandescent light bulb, which will be phased out beginning January 1, 2012.

Will you be buying one?

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The Expected Impact: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 5

 Lighting News  1 Response »
Mar 252011
 
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Turning off the incandescent The Expected Impact: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 5This post concludes our week-long series featuring everything you ever needed to know about the upcoming incandescent phase out as a result of the EISA 2007.  Our other posts in the series: Truth & Lies; The Fine Print, Explained; The Inclusions & Exceptions; The Replacement Contenders.  Thanks for reading as always, and here’s hoping you are now an expert on the phase out!

You may be thinking: “Okay, I get that the EISA 2007 was designed to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions… but is an incandescent phase out really going to make all that much of a difference?”

The short answer?  Yes. Continue reading »

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The Replacement Contenders: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 4

 Lighting News  2 Responses »
Mar 242011
 
PinExt The Replacement Contenders: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 4

On the bench The Replacement Contenders: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 4This post is part of our week-long series about the upcoming incandescent phase out as a result of the EISA 2007.  If you haven’t been reading so far, check out Parts 1, 2, and 3!

One of the biggest misconceptions among the public and news media is that compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are the only replacements for incandescent light bulbs.  It couldn’t be farther from the truth.

There are currently at least three widely-known technology options that can replace incandescent light bulbs and deliver the required higher efficiency, and more innovative technological options lay just around the corner.  Three other light sources that are lesser known and not discussed below are cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs), induction lamps, and electron stimulated luminescence lamps (ESL). Continue reading »

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The Inclusions & Exceptions: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 3

 Lighting News  2 Responses »
Mar 232011
 
PinExt The Inclusions & Exceptions: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 3

Not All Incandescents Affected The Inclusions & Exceptions: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 3This post is part of a week-long series explaining the upcoming incandescent phase out as a result of the EISA 2007.  If you’ve missed the posts so far, make sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2!

We’ve already gone over common misconceptions about the phase out and explained when you can expect this all to happen.  Now, for the next tidbit of information:

Did you know that the efficiency standards set by the EISA 2007 do not apply to all incandescent bulbs?  In fact, there’s a pretty long list of special-use incandescent lamps that have been excluded – one of which is the 3-way incandescent light bulb, a very popular consumer product. Continue reading »

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The Fine Print, Explained: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 2

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Mar 222011
 
PinExt The Fine Print, Explained: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 2

Understanding the EISA 2007 The Fine Print, Explained: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 2

Our post yesterday represented the first in a week-long series about the upcoming incandescent phase out as a result of the EISA 2007.  If you missed it, catch up here.

Yesterday, we mentioned that the EISA 2007 does not ban incandescent A-line light bulbs; however, the new law will, in fact, result in the elimination of today’s standard 100W, 75W, 60W, and 40W light bulbs.

If you’re thinking there’s a discrepancy here, read on.

The EISA 2007 sets “maximum rate wattages.”  In other words, light bulbs will be required to consume less electricity (measured in watts) for the amount of light produced (measured in lumens).

Each category of “lumen ranges” that the EISA specifies corresponds with one of today’s standard incandescent bulbs. See the chart below:

Continue reading »

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Truth & Lies: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 1

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Mar 212011
 
PinExt Truth & Lies: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 1

shattered misconceptions1 Truth & Lies: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 1There have been a good deal of inaccurate and misleading reports in the news lately about the upcoming incandescent phase out.  In fact, even NBC Nightly News got it wrong when they recently said that the government is requiring people to switch to CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps).

The buzz is all about the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), signed by George W. Bush.  The law was designed to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.  Part of that law involves new standards for light bulbs (called “lamps” in the lighting industry).  The first step toward implementing those standards is set to go into effect in just a little over 9 months (January 1, 2012), hence the recent news reports.

This week, we are going to publish a series of blog posts to educate you all about the upcoming phase out.  We’ll write a post a day (details about new legislation do not exactly make for light reading).

By the end of the week, you will be an expert.  At the very least, you’ll be better informed than NBC’s Chief Environmental Affairs Correspondent! Continue reading »

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Easy-Bake Oven Forced to Revamp Design

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Mar 182011
 
PinExt Easy Bake Oven Forced to Revamp Design

easy bake oven1 Easy Bake Oven Forced to Revamp DesignYou may be surprised to find news about a classic children’s toy on our lighting blog.

We were just as surprised when we found out that the heating mechanism inside today’s Easy Bake Ovens is actually a 100-watt light bulb! With the upcoming legislation changes that will phase out traditional incandescent bulbs, Hasbro has to rethink that feature.

We are aware that the 100-watt incandescent light bulb will no longer be available in 2012.  In fall 2011, Hasbro will launch the Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven, introducing a new way to bake for the next generation of chefs.

It’s a well-known fact that incandescents are the least efficient light source, primarily because 90% of the power they consume is given off as heat. That means that only 10% of the energy you pay for is available as light.  The rest is simply radiating unneeded heat: apparently enough heat to bake mini-desserts! Continue reading »

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Top 7 Kitchen Trends for 2011

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Mar 102011
 
PinExt Top 7 Kitchen Trends for 2011

Shaker Style Kitchen 300x202 Top 7 Kitchen Trends for 2011Every year, designers from the National Kitchen & Bath Association gather to report the trends they are seeing in current projects and predict styles for the rest of the year.

It’s essentially a forecast for the remodeling industry!  Here are the kitchen trends straight from the NKBA survey:

  1. Dark natural finishes in countertops, cabinets, etc.
  2. “Shaker style” kitchens. Named after the religious sect known for their prominence in New England in the late 1700s, Shaker kitchens are based on the premise of simplicity.  Cabinets look clean, simple, and sturdy; and are typically recessed panel doors accented with simple hardware.  Shaker kitchens have a good deal of storage space to minimize clutter on countertops.Wood floors with rustic grains/color variations also create the old-fashioned look.  The move back to Shaker-style kitchens indicates that ornate looks (think Tuscan, French country styles) are fading away.  Why?  Designers say this stems from a desire to think about resale value.  Apparently, the simple look is more marketable to future buyers. Continue reading »
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Rethinking Lighting Design

 Thoughts on Light  No Responses »
Mar 072011
 
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led constellation Rethinking Lighting Design

An "LED constellation chandelier". Image via Inhabitat.

Lighting designer James Bedell wrote an insightful blog post last weekend that I wanted to share here. His point was that the discussion around LEDs today seems to be all centered around the “science” of the source rather than the “art” of it.

It’s probably true.  With the upcoming legislation changes mandating new lighting efficiency standards, it’s easy to focus on how LEDs can replace incandescent bulbs and fail to mention the other implications of this amazing technology.

LEDs are incredible because they do not require you to light up a room using a bulb: With LEDs, lighting can take all sorts of shapes and sizes. We no longer need to conform light fixtures to accommodate a bulky bulb, and that opens up the window to endless design possibilities.  I talked a little about this in my post IKEA & the End of the Incandescent Light Bulb.

Sure, LEDs are available in the shape of traditional bulbs. This is simply to ease the transition into more energy-efficient lighting, and to provide products to fit into the fixtures we already have.

Let’s start thinking about lighting as art again… we have a tremendous opportunity. James Bedell – Where I’d Like to See LEDs Take Us

This is an exciting time for the lighting industry. In the next decade, the way we light our homes and businesses is likely to change drastically.  Let’s see where LEDs take us!

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