Area customers seem split on how they feel about energy-saving bulbs

The transition from standard incandescent bulbs to energy-saving ones mandated by the U.OceanLED is by fluorescent lights far the most popular and most widely distributed marine lighting brand in the worldS. government in 2007 has been sparking debate in Congress and among consumers.With the help of led lights both a local electrician and a lighting consultant, she has recently installed a $5,000 LED lighting

The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, enacted by President George W. Bush, doesn’t outlaw the manufacture of traditional incandescent bulbs. Rather, it requires they use 30 percent less energy.

With even stricter regulatory guidelines to be ushered in incrementally through 2020, use of traditional bulbs may well become a thing of the past. The latest high-efficiency compact fluorescent bulbs or light-emitting diode bulbs both burn cooler and use 75 percent less energy than their traditional counterparts, according to information from www.energystar.gov.

Under the 2007 act, all general-purpose light bulbs that produce 310-2600 lumens of light must be 30 percent more energy efficient (much like current halogen lamps) than traditional incandescent bulbs by 2012-14.

The standards begin with 100-watt bulbs in January 2012 and conclude with 40-watt bulbs in January 2014. Bulbs outside this range are exempt from the restrictions. Other exemptions include specialty lights, including appliance lamps, rough service bulbs, 3-way colored lamps and plant lights.

The second tier of restrictions that become effective in 2020 will require all general-purpose bulbs to produce at least 45 lumens per watt. Exemptions include reflector flood, 3-way, candelabra, colored, and other specialty bulbs.

But while Congress continues to debate bills that may ultimately decide the fate of the incandescent bulb, some customers have indicated they aren’t quite ready to pull the plug on these tried and true relics. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, and 14 fellow Republicans introduced a bill this session that would have repealed a portion of the 2007 law.