Lights Out for Incandescents: Nanny-State America Strikes Again

Holly Deyo

This is a reminder if you want to continue using incandescent light bulbs, now is the time to stock up. More nanny-state America is about to descend on us.

When first reading World Net Daily’s article four years ago, 2014 seemed light years away, if you’ll pardon the pun. Now phasing out incandescent bulbs is a few short months from kicking in. Californians will begin their goodbye to incandescent bulbs in 30 days; the rest of us have next year as grace period.

Some U.S. retailers have already quit carrying our old standbys. They are no longer obtainable in any wattage at our brick-and-mortar Sam’s Club though they can be purchased through them online. Other retailers have not been so quick to hop the ban bandwagon and they can still be bought for reasonable costs at Walmart, K-Mart and most hardware stores.

Here’s the phase out schedule for all 49 states and territories, except California:

Panic Buying Starts
Don’t wait till the last minute to set in a supply of incandescent bulbs. In America, 100-watt bulbs are first to get the axe. Next year is your last to buy them so now is the time to lay in a supply.

Take a lesson from Europe. Europeans have already begun ‘panic buying‘ since their phase out of 75-watters began in 2009. Next year their 60W bulbs get axed. Australia led the pack with an outright ban this year. As usual Aussies are not ones to complain.

Most Canadian retailers will quit selling incandescents by 2012, except for IKEA Canada. They began eliminating incandescent bulbs starting August 1, 2010 and will complete their all-out phaseout in 2011.

Not a Bright Idea
Stan and I are not sold on the CFLs (compact fluorescent lamp) for several reasons and apparently we are not alone. Looking at Sam’s customer reviews on GE Soft White 60W bulbs, they get a 5-star rating. However, GE Energy Smart 13W Light Bulbs (yes, these (pictured below left) replace the current 60W bulbs) only get 3 stars.

Three years ago we starting using CFLs in a storage room and for overhead lighting in the garage. The CFL is supposed to last many times longer than their incandescent counterparts, but we haven’t found this to be the case. It seemed that within months I was shinnying up the ladder to change them. Burned out. Dead. Kaput. Not impressed with their ‘5-year life span’ as stated on the packaging. Cost begins to add up when they burn out early on these pricey ‘improvements’.

Here is another testimony that the new CFLs do not last long when lights are frequently switched on and off: