The End of the Old Light Bulb Era

The incandescent light bulb that was the most useful invention of its era will be no more. The end of the old light bulb as we know it is to be phased out of the U.S. market beginning in 2012 under the new energy law just approved by Congress. The old light bulb that has lit every aspect of our lives from birth is considered of the most inefficient modern day source of daily existence and a great contributor to Global Warming across the world. This nationwide plan to move toward a more efficient lighting source is said to be the least expensive way to bring the nations electricity use and greenhouse effect to a considerable reduction.

The new energy efficient light bulbs to replace the old incandescent light bulb will in fact be of greater use in the long run to all of us more than its aims to reduce the greenhouse harmful effects. The new light bulbs will also help you save immensely on your electricity bills. As much as 90% of the old light bulbs wasted are now evaded by the new light bulb which does not give off such high percentages at all.

Thus far, Australia is the first country to confirm an absolute ban by 2010 on incandescent bulbs while the United States mandates are to begin 2012 then phased out through 2014. Each of cone-shaped spiral new CFL bulbs costs approximately $3, but is money well invested. This is considerably more expensive than the comparative cost of the old bulbs at cost of 50 cents for the standard bulb. The CFL bulbs use is approximately 75 percent less energy and lasts five years instead of a few months. A household that invested $90 in changing 30 fixtures to CFLs would save $440 to $1,500 over the five-year life of the bulbs.

The savings will vary based on household electrical use, but you can expect a definite 12 percent discount to estimate the savings accurately. The CFL is so environmentally friendly that you can also recycle your bulbs at your local Ikea store. Both the Environmental Protection Agency and Earth911 have sites you can search for other recycling programs near your home. So, brings up the question centuries later, is Thomas Edison turning over in his grave over the new CFL bulbs? His incandescent bulb had its moment in the limelight for some two or three centuries or so but who’s counting.

I think Edison would understand that as modern technology changed so little since 1879 it was long over due since he produced light with a carbonized thread from his wife's sewing box. After all, his invention initially ended the era of the light by candle light source. Either way, his invention will continue if nothing else to be the invention that became the culture's iconic image. Energy-efficient bulbs are a better idea, says Andrew deLaski, director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project. "It's hugely important," he says. "A 60 to 70 percent reduction in light bulb energy use will save as much energy annually as that used by all the homes in Texas last year." That is enormous savings no matter how you look at it.