One of the challenges with the upcoming federal phase out of incandescent light bulbs is public awareness. How do you convey to millions of consumers that one of the most universally used products out there will no longer be available for sale? More importantly, how do you communicate alternative options before the phase out begins?
Last week, OSRAM SYLVANIA released survey results reporting that 36% of Americans are aware of the upcoming incandescent light bulb phase out. Last year, that number was 26%.
While public awareness is clearly increasing, the majority of Americans still have not heard about the legislation that will ban most traditional incandescent light bulbs by 2014.
The survey also asked if participants were aware that 100 watt light bulbs will no longer be sold after January 1, 2012. Eighty percent said they were not aware.
There were certainly some positive findings from the survey. Most respondents said they plan to switch to LED, CFL or halogen light sources in 2012. Only 23% plan to simply switch to a lower wattage of incandescent. Clearly, consumers are becoming more comfortable with energy efficient lighting alternatives for incandescent bulbs.
View details of the 2010 SYLVANIA Socket Survey here.