New Government Regulations Means Changes Coming To Light Bulbs

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Light bulbs as we know them are about to change.


The change is already coming when it comes to light bulbs. As of Jan. 1, light bulb manufacturers will no longer be able to make 100 watt incandescent light bulbs.

“The hundred watt light bulb will be eliminated over the next couple of months in most stores,” Doug Satterfield, owner of Rollier’s Hardware, said.

There are loopholes in the law. Manufacturers will still be able to make and sell three-way bulbs that include a 100 watt setting and higher.

However, the goal is to get people to switch to bulbs that use a fraction of the energy to produce the same amount of light.

“These new light bulbs that have come out, the CFLs and the halogens, they give you the lumens with less wattage and we explain that to our customers so they better understand why they need to switch to the newer type light bulbs,” said Satterfield.

Yhere are a lot of alternatives to the old 100 watt bulb, but Satterfield thinks the bigger issue comes up in July.

That’s when you won’t be able to buy those old fluorescent tubes, the four-foot fixtures you have in your basement or your garage, anymore. More than that, the new bulbs won’t fit in your old fixtures either.

“That’s the one thing that is really going to frustrate consumers is that they can’t just put another bulb in the socket and still use their lamp. They have to eliminate the fixture,” Satterfield added. “You aren’t going to buy a ballast and redo the wiring. It costs too much; you are going to have to take the fixture down and throw it away and buy a new one.”

But the first phase will be as simple as picking up a slightly different looking bulb after Jan. 1.

Rollier’s Hardware
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One Comment

  1. globalprobe says:

    You can thank corrupt government and lobbyist spending. Here is an article that explains:

  2. marychipmonk says:

    According to this article, they are going to eliminate all bulbs for standard older florescent fixtures in July?

    My company and most others have HUNDREDS of these fixtures built into the ceiling. Think about your standard office facility and big stores. The cost of replacing those fixtures will be astronomical. Many manufacturing companies are already struggling to compete with foreign goods. I suspect many companies may have to close or sit in the dark. This is an improvement? Is the cost energy saving of one type of florescent bulb over another enough to overcome the energy used to make AND INSTALL a replacement fixture for an working existing fixture? In a 20+ft ceiling? Is it worth the cost?

    1. globalprobe says:

      It has nothing to do with your cost. The powers that be were paid to pass this regulation. Another benefactor will be recycling plants. Florescent bulbs have mercury and other chemicals that cant be put in landfills like our beloved incandescent bulbs can. This yet another example of multinational companies buying our government for their profit. Wait until Monsanto owns all the food production. They already patented the pig, corn and soy!

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