The US government’s ban on incandescent light bulbs just went into effect
Image: Jenner Images
A long-awaited change in how Americans light their homes and businesses is finally here. Under a new federal law that took effect yesterday, US consumers are no longer able to purchase common household incandescent light bulbs from retailers, and must instead opt for LED bulbs.
- The new law carves out several exemptions, including heat lamps, plant grow lights, specialty bulbs, and appliance bulbs (like fridge and oven lights).
- It also allows US consumers to use any incandescent bulbs they’ve already purchased.
đź’ˇ Some quick background: US homes and businesses have been using incandescent light bulbs since Thomas Edison first registered the patent in 1879. But in 2007, Congress approved a bipartisan law that would effectively ban the manufacture and sale of most incandescent bulbs by 2014, citing the improved energy efficiency of LED bulbs.
However, enforcement of the law was delayed or canceled several times during the Obama and Trump administrations, before the Biden admin last year re-committed to implementing the ban starting August 1, 2023.
🗣️ Arguments in favor: Consumer groups and the Biden admin say LED bulbs save money and energy in the long run because they turn electricity directly into light, while incandescent bulbs turn electricity into heat first, then into light. The latter process loses 90% of the available electrical energy, compared to 30% energy loss for LEDs.
- So while the average cost of an LED light bulb ($5-$7) is more than double that of an incandescent bulb ($2-$3), the Department of Energy says the average US household would save $225 in energy costs per year by switching fully from incandescent to LED bulbs ($3 billion per year, collectively).
🙅‍♀️ Arguments in opposition: Some Republican lawmakers have pushed back against banning incandescent bulbs, arguing US consumers – rather than the federal government – should be allowed to do their own cost-benefit analysis that includes functional and aesthetic trade-offs.
- They also portray Biden’s light-bulb ban as part of a campaign by Democrats to have the government interfere in nearly every aspect of US citizens’ daily lives, pointing to recent state-level efforts to ban gas-powered stoves as well.
📊 Flash poll: Do you agree with the federal government’s new ban on the sale of most incandescent light bulbs?
See a 360° view of what media pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that America’s transition from incandescent lights to LEDs will be tough, since incandescent bulbs provide a level of quality not quite matched by the alternative, but is also necessary in the overall fight against climate change.
- Others contend that LED light technology in its current form has subtle yet noticeable differences compared to conventional incandescent lighting, resulting in an overall worse product that US consumers are now forced to buy.
- “Goodbye to the incandescent light. Climate change means you have to go, but you’ll be missed” –LA Times Editorial Board
- “Why is LED Light So Bad?” –Tom Socca, NY Magazine
- “Lightbulb Ban Is 'Nightmare' for Some Americans” –Anna Skinner, Newsweek
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that LED bulbs are a poor substitute for incandescent options in a wide variety of situations, and that the US government shouldn’t be unilaterally forcing all Americans to use them.
- Others contend that the new federal law will take away choice from the marketplace, which is never a good thing for American consumers and should be reversed at the first opportunity.
- “Why I ordered 200 incandescent lightbulbs” –Kathleen Parker, WaPo
- “THANKS, JOE: Incandescent Light Bulb Ban Goes Into Effect This Week” –Tim Meads, The Daily Wire
- “Incandescent Light-Bulb Ban Takes Effect” –John McCormack, National Review
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