The history of the lightbulb is long and varied. Lighting technology has evolved drastically since Sir Humphrey David discovered in 1802 that a piece of heated carbon connected to his new power source (the earliest incarnation of a modern-day battery) glowed with light! The term incandescent refers to light that is produced as a result of intense heat. And it served gallantly as the only way to produce light for many, many decades. Until, as with most things, lighting technology began to evolve. A desire to save money, use less energy, and achieve greater and more varied light, resulted in the discoveries of more economical light sources, like light emitting diodes (LEDs). Consequently, incandescent bulbs have become less favorable in the broader world of lighting specification since most of the energy they consume is invested in heating the filament and not producing light!
Since 2007, there have been mandates, policies, and laws popping up all over the country governing the types of bulbs that can be manufactured and sold. The latest legislation from the Department of Energy bans the sale of general service lamps (GSLs) or lightbulbs that do not produce at least 45 lumens of light output for every watt of energy they consume effective June 30, 2023. In older homes, apartment buildings, and workplaces, these types of bulbs may still be widely in use. Since the life expectancy of these incandescent GSLs is much shorter than those of newer technologies, it’s time to plan on how to replace these bulbs as they burn out.
After June 30, 2023, these GSLs will no longer be available for purchase, so deciding on an alternative replacement bulb now may save some angst later. Consider LEDs for their longer life and energy efficiency. Most often they easily swap in for incandescents providing similar lumens for fewer watts and compatible bases. Keep in mind that some existing switches and dimmers may also need to be changed out due to compatibility issues.
