Article in CE Pro magazine
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04.04.2008 — It’s apropos that the universal symbol used for a new idea is an icon of an incandescent light bulb.
But with the new federal energy law that will effectively outlaw incandescents by 2014, will that symbol have to be changed? Who knows?
One thing is for sure, though, the new Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 has thrown a curve ball at the lighting control industry that has as many twists as a spiral compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL).
And both integrators and manufacturers need to take note.
In a nutshell, the law will eliminate the manufacturing of many types of energy-inefficient incandescent light bulbs.
It does not specifically require CFLs, LEDs or any other type of bulb, it just says that starting in 2012, light bulbs have to be 30 percent more efficient than they are right now.
So, unless homeowners are going to stock up on a lifetime supply of existing incandescents, they will need to come up with an alternative light source.
The law itself makes no mention whatsoever of the energy benefits of lighting control. It was completely left out.
That’s where things start to get tricky. Currently, fluorescents, LEDs and certain halogen/incandescents meet the new energy requirements.
However, each has drawbacks, ranging from higher cost, an inability to be dimmed, poor quality light output and traces of toxic mercury. In the end, there are as many questions as answers for integrators.
What do you tell existing customers who purchased lighting control systems from you and now might not be able to find suitable dimmable light bulbs?
Will light bulb manufacturers step up to the plate and invent an energy-efficient, quality light source by 2012? Are the disposal concerns of CFLs (due to the mercury inside them) overblown?
How can you successfully convince a homeowner to spend more money on lighting control and more money on LED lighting?
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