Q: Are regular light bulbs as we know them going away?
A: Yes, but not all at once.
Q: Will I have to buy Fluorescent and LED bulbs?
A: No, there are other choices.
Download a PDF of this brochure:
[/one_fourth_last]Expert Advice
Get Answers to All Your Light Bulb Questions
Beginning January 1, 2012 throughout the United States, incandescent light bulbs must meet more stringent lumens/watt requirements. In other words, the bulbs must produce the same amount of lumens (light output) for less wattage (energy).
The changes begin with the 100 watt everyday incandescent light bulb, which must not use more than 72 watts to produce a comparable brightness. Additional bulbs will be affected over the next several years.
Newton Electrical Supply and A.D. Cola Lighting created this guide to help you understand the changes in light bulbs. Please contact us with any questions you may have regarding the new requirements. Our lighting experts are happy to help!
A-Lamps
Regular light bulbs as we currently know them are changing, but the new bulbs will still look and work much like we are used to. They will be more efficient by using halogen and xenon gases. The new bulbs will be rated by lumens, or the measurement of light output, instead of wattage. Compact Fluorescent (CFL) and LED bulbs will also meet the new standards.
A-lamp changes are taking place in phases. The first bulb to change will be the 100-watt bulb. As of January 1, 2012, manufacturers will only be able to ship the new 72 watt-bulbs. This will be the same for the other bulbs on the dates listed. The most common 60-watt bulb will still be around until 2014. All of the new bulbs are currently available.
January 1, 2012
100 Watt bulb changing to 72 Watt bulb
$2.80 savings over the life of the bulb*
[fancy_table]| A-LAMPS | EXISTING BULB | NEW BULB | CHANGE |
| Watts | 100 watts | 72 | 28 watts less |
| Light Output | 1710 lumens | 1490 | 13% less bright |
| Life | 750 hours | 1000 | 250 hours longer |
| Cost | $0.75 each | $2.75 | $2.00 more |
January 1, 2013
75 Watt bulb changing to 53 Watt bulb
$2.20 savings over the life of the bulb*
[fancy_table]| A-LAMPS | EXISTING BULB | NEW BULB | CHANGE |
| Watts | 75 watts | 53 | 22 watts less |
| Light Output | 1190 lumens | 1050 | 12% less bright |
| Life | 750 hours | 1000 | 250 hours longer |
| Cost | $0.75 each | $2.75 | $2.00 more |
January 1, 2014
60 Watt bulb changing to 43 Watt bulb
$1.70 savings over the life of the bulb*
[fancy_table]| A-LAMPS | EXISTING BULB | NEW BULB | CHANGE |
| Watts | 60 watts | 43 | 17 watts less |
| Light Output | 870 lumens | 750 | 14% less bright |
| Life | 1000 hours | 1000 | Same |
| Cost | $0.75 each | $2.75 | $2.00 more |
January 1, 2014
40 Watt bulb changing to 29 Watt bulb
$1.10 savings over the life of the bulb*
[fancy_table]| A-LAMPS | EXISTING BULB | NEW BULB | CHANGE |
| Watts | 40 watts | 29 | 11 watts less |
| Light Output | 470 lumens | 410 | 13% less bright |
| Life | 1500 hours | 1500 | Same life |
| Cost | $0.75 each | $2.75 | $2.00 more |
All values for new bulbs are approximate. Wattages, lumens, life, and cost may vary slightly from manufacturers. Cost based on major brand manufacturer. All manufacturers must conform to the same standards for the new light bulbs.
*Savings base on $.10 per kwh.
Reflector Lamps
In July 2012, many existing reflector lamps will be changing to more efficient versions, similar to the A-lamp changes. Some common reflector lamps are exempt from the changes until July 2013.
Common Reflector Lamps that are changing:
| PAR 20 Halogen | |
| Current Watts | New Watts |
| 50 | 40 |
| PAR 30 Halogen | |
| Current Watts | New Watts |
| 50 | 40 |
| 75 | 50 |
| PAR 38 Halogen | |
| Current Watts | New Watts |
| 60 | 50 |
| 75 | 60 |
| 90 | 70 |
| R20 Halogen | |
| Current Watts | New Watts |
| 50 | 35 |
| R30 Halogen | |
| Current Watts | New Watts |
| 60 | 50 |
| R40 Halogen | |
| Current Watts | New Watts |
| 75 | 50 |
| 100 | 80 |
Common Reflector Lamps NOT changing until July 2013:
These are changes happening constantly –we will keep you informed with the latest changes. There is a general list of the most common reflector bulbs. If there is a specific light bulb you are interested in that is not listed above, please contact us.
Fluorescent Tubes
On July 1, 2012, many common T12 fluorescent tubes will no longer be allowed to be produced. They will no longer meet the efficiency standards. There are also some less efficient T8 lamps that will also be affected.
Common T12 lamps that will no longer be made:
F40T12 and F34T12 – 4 ft. T12 bipin
F96T12 and F96T12SS – 8 ft. T12 single pin
F96T12HO and HOSS – 8 ft. T12 high output FB40CW/6 – 2 ft. T12 U-bent
Common T8 lamps that will no longer be made:
F32T8 <2850 lumens – 4 ft. T8 bipin
FB32T8 <2850 lumens – 2 ft. T8 U-bent
F96T8 <5723 lumens – 8 ft. T8 single pin
F96T8HO <7912 lumens – 8 ft. T8 high output
T8 lamps that qualify are already on the market, including all 80 and 90CRI product. The T8 lamps that do not qualify are typically the 70CRI product. (CRI = color rendering index)
If you have questions about any light bulb, please contact us!
