Call Us We Love Speaking to Customers - 01737 845540 then Option 1

Welcome to the Home of Lighting for Homes and Hospitality.

40 Illuminating Years in Lighting & ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Service.

Your Discount Code

9GZ0FYHE212S

Incandescent Light Bulbs

Read about the changing worold of Incandescent Lighting

Phasing out incandescent light bulbs in favor of LED light bulbs: A comprehensive analysis

1. Introduction

People have begun to search for different applications to save electricity, thus reducing operating costs, allowing investment in equipment and machinery to make production possible, obtain higher lighting performance, improve product quality, and reduce light, which has a positive effect on both the environment and human health. It is an inevitable fact that the most preferred means of lighting for both industrial facilities and homes are incandescent bulbs. One in 10 homes and business premises have replaced their residential and commercial lighting systems with LED luminaires because of the opportunities they offer.

The current legal and normative structure in Turkey provides for the use of incandescent bulbs. In the products section within the scope of the regulations, the use of LED bulbs and compact fluorescent light bulbs began to be included. The existing structure provoked the transition to energy-saving light bulbs due to factors such as increasing electricity costs and awareness arising from climate change and environmental concerns. In this study, "If this transition is made completely and problem-free by 2029, what will the theoretical and practical benefits be?" and "Which aspects are the most serious obstacles to the transition to LED bulbs?" are discussed in scientific terms. The objectives of the study are to show the main purpose of this analysis, which is to evaluate the transition from incandescent to LED bulbs and to reveal the theoretical and practical benefits and obstacles of this transition. Developing legislation and formulating public policy on this topic may form a basis for guiding other studies and practices in the field of scientific research. The people who use LED bulbs, unlike those who use incandescent bulbs, differentiate on the basis of time, retaining the feeling of having tried. When we say 2029, its meaning is quite different from 2030 or 2035. People who have not used LED bulbs by this time will decide based on what we will explain in this paper. "Can I benefit from this?" they will analyze in terms of whether they will take advantage of efficiency or quality in their lives by making a new revolution in lighting.

2. Background on Incandescent and LED Light Bulbs

Incandescent light bulbs and LEDs are two very different pieces of lighting technology. When a current is applied to the filament of an incandescent bulb, it gets hot enough to glow. In other words, incandescent bulbs produce light by wasting energy as heat. LEDs, in contrast, are made of semiconductors and produce light instead of heat by direct electrical excitation. While there have been significant innovations in incandescent bulb design over the years, they have remained predominantly a resistive technology. In contrast, the development of the LED can be seen as a direct extension of progress in the semiconductor industry and is fundamentally not an incandescent bulb at all.

The development of the white LED, technically a blue LED coated in phosphor, has many contributors. The development of the blue LED in the early 1990s was the final piece and is often credited as the true starting point. Since then, LEDs have improved in efficiency, color consistency, and a number of other parameters. Today, the most advanced LED bulbs are only a few upfront dollars more expensive than an equivalent incandescent but consume about eighty percent less energy. Incandescent bulbs are effectively no longer being produced, and it is only a matter of time before LED bulbs may be the only legal option for consumers. LED bulbs are actively taking over the consumer market, competing as an alternative to incandescent, CFL, and other lighting devices across applications. Despite this change, some consumers and even professional analysts still perceive LEDs as having questionable technology, dubious efficiency, and a suspect environmental impact compared to traditional bulbs. In contrast, this guide will provide an in-depth analysis of the advantages of LEDs over traditional lighting.

3. Advantages of LED Light Bulbs

One of the most pressing reasons to favor LED light bulbs over incandescent ones is that energy use for the latter is phenomenally uneconomical. LEDs use significantly less power. Not only that, but they also have the capability to light up environments much more effectively, which is why they have much larger lifespans. Given this, consumers and businesses stand to save a substantial amount on electricity bills by adopting LEDs. Moreover, because light bulbs account for as much as 20% of an average home's electricity bill, switching to these bulbs can potentially save consumers large amounts of money over the lifetime of the bulb. Additionally, LEDs also contribute to cost savings because they reduce the need to change bulbs as often and to buy additional bulbs. For similar reasons, LEDs reduce a large part of direct lighting costs for businesses, hospitals, and schools.

Lighting accounts for approximately 6% of global carbon dioxide emissions because a proportion of the power that is used to create electricity is generated by burning fuels. As LEDs use significantly less energy than incandescent bulbs, they can help to decrease the environmental destruction caused by energy production. The amount of carbon emissions that an LED light can prevent depends on the energy mix of the country where it is being used. Still another advantage of LED bulbs is their durability and the low temperatures that they reach in the course of burning, which prevents fire and is beneficial in environments where heat can be an issue. The unique properties of LEDs have allowed the development of creative lighting choices and the exploration of new applications that go beyond basic lighting. It is also important to note that consumer preference has shifted over time. In 2017, American lighting consumers showed a preference for LEDs over any other type of light bulb: 60% preferred LEDs, 23% liked compact fluorescent bulbs, and only 7% preferred halogen incandescent bulbs. Only in poorer countries with less access to sustainable energy resources do people prefer incandescent bulbs. All of these reasons suggest that the transition from incandescents towards LEDs is underway.

4. Challenges and Barriers to Phasing Out Incandescent Bulbs

Consumer Attachments to Incandescents: One common perception of incandescent light bulbs is that they are synonymous with "light bulbs" in general, and that LEDs are not necessarily worth pursuing. People typically avoid unfamiliar technology and have since the end of the 19th century when an estimated 2 million horse-drawn carriages were still in operation in the United States. People do not generally like to be told to make immediate changes. Upfront Purchase Costs: Another challenge is that LED bulbs are often perceived as expensive. Pricing is the most common reason given by consumers when surveyed about their lighting choices and is indeed the greatest barrier to adoption. Misinformation: In many instances, the added lifetime of LEDs has been oversold, mislabeled, and misrepresented. As already mentioned, many LED products for sale today come with "estimated average lifespan" labels. While energy-use and cost labels attached to bulbs have been monitored since the late 1970s, as of now, the performance and lifespan labels are not. With so many products on the market, numerous purchase guides are needed to try to help consumers understand how one bulb performs relative to another.

Policy Barriers: While incandescent efficiency standards were released starting in 2007, which resulted in the phased phase-out of all incandescent bulbs, beginning with the 100 and 75 watt bulbs in 2011 (the 60 and 40 watts followed, with new and improved versions of the old 40 watts released in 2019), there are no current agreed-upon goals or incentives for the 40+ watt products. The removal and destruction of the 100 and 75 watt bulbs began in 2017. With no guidelines, there is no push from industry or need from retailers to encourage the market to shift. It seems as if some smaller mom-and-pop stores are waiting to see if the venture is for naught, while many more large box stores stockpiled hundreds of thousands of 40 watt and above incandescent bulbs in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2017 when word came that enforcement ban of illegally imported incandescent bulbs was being delayed or that the court-ordered review of the law was being postponed. Production: Moving from incandescent to LED production involves a complete overhaul of the manufacturing process, which is not as simple or quick as may be portrayed. This would be the creation of a new factory, moving of equipment and production molds, and complete retraining of personnel, not to mention a loss of jobs in the manufacturing process from the old factory. It is a cost to the companies who want to invest, and it can result in the loss of jobs for many employees, some who may have dedicated decades to an industry built on the production of incandescent lamps, to have to start over at square one in the production of LED lamps. Further, classic light bulbs can be customarily designed, with handcrafted varieties used in antiques and older fixtures. This production process has not been mechanized, and not all newer lamps are suited for such a design outcome either, to replace the number of incandescents on the market. Role of Education and Outreach in Bulb Transition and Adoption: Energy efficiency can only come if end-users employ the technology. Consumers may know they need new light bulbs, but only some know which types of lighting products can replace incandescents and do so energy efficiently. The store must be set up to indeed sell energy-efficient lighting options and trust that the consumer is receptive to change. In grocery stores, creatively staged lighting products with strong supporting information can boost consumer confidence and encourage them to purchase. The results of management's strivings in appropriate stocking of energy-efficient products should be visible every time you walk into a store. If the consumer walks out with new light bulbs, it may be a slow progression to a full swap-out of homes and businesses, but a progression all the same. For store owners, "word of light bulb" is in their reach.

5. Case Studies and Success Stories

This publication has reviewed the global market and provided a brief analysis of policies in a range of countries around the globe, as well as the Indian tube light and street light retrofit market. Overall, we saw a strong market trend towards LED where incentives were put in place, both those implemented by the government and successful group initiatives such as bulk buys or competitive bidding between competitors, grassroots campaigns, and LED technology promotion programs. The publication provides comprehensive analyses of a number of case studies, including two projects on the four largest public lighting applications – streetlights, high bays, ringer lights, and area lights – in ten North American states and Canadian provinces that showed energy savings from 50% to 83%, seven projects from municipalities, universities, school boards, and others, plus a pulse start to LED street light replacement in Rochester, an incentive program in Colorado, and two international street lighting projects in Copenhagen and Wellington. We saw the success of both state- and city-wide efforts and recognize that each location has had its unique approach in promoting LED technology. Some hired consultants to develop summary overviews of suitable products, while others put together listing sites of products. The city did not necessarily endorse these products but instead put them in one place for easy access. Most recently, four local funding opportunities have emerged for Monroe County.

For more information, call us today and one of the team will assist you, 01737 845540.

Choose from our range of Traditional Light Bulbs

Alternatives to Incandescent Light Bulbs: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Introduction to Incandescent Light Bulbs

Overview

Incandescent light bulbs are among the earliest commercially successful electric lighting technologies, and their development dates back to the 19th century. They differ from other lighting technologies in their operational principle: rather than producing light directly from a chemical or electrical process, they primarily produce light by heating a filament up to a point where it starts emitting light. Incandescent bulbs are appreciated for their warm light quality and brightness, as well as their capability of coming to full brightness straight away. However, these features come at a cost. Their relatively high energy consumption and relatively short lifespan quickly made incandescent bulbs uncompetitive with more recent lighting technologies, such as compact fluorescent lamps and more advanced light-emitting diodes. Moreover, the higher environmental impact of operating incandescent bulbs, as well as their substantially higher economic cost, provide further incentives to switch to alternative lighting solutions to this day. This has already led a number of countries to regulate or ban the sale of incandescent bulbs, yet consumer behavior and lack of awareness regarding the alternatives have been significant issues in effectively phasing out this lighting technology.

Lately, however, numerous factors began to emerge that encouraged the transition away from incandescent lighting. Sales of inefficient incandescent lighting fixtures have fallen over the last few years, reflecting both a global trend of consumers choosing more energy-efficient alternatives and the reduction of regulatory exceptions for incandescent bulbs. Common customer concerns when considering a new lighting option and some misleading information do remain, however. In this guide, we aim to introduce a number of high-efficiency lighting technologies that are alternatives to incandescent lighting, beginning with the better-known compact fluorescent lamps and a look at what constitutes energy-efficient lighting.

2. Energy-Efficient Alternatives

You've probably heard that old incandescent light bulbs are on their way out. In fact, major producers stopped making them in recent years. They will likely become unavailable in the near future, and for good reason. Traditional incandescent bulbs are notorious for their inefficiency, with 90 percent of the energy they consume emitted as heat rather than light. Virtually all of that heat is wasted energy, which seems like a serious environmental concern, especially considering the scale at which these bulbs are used. With our growing environmental consciousness and concern for rising energy costs, buying inefficient lighting that unnecessarily hikes our electricity bills doesn't make any sense.

Thankfully, we have plenty of incandescent light bulb alternatives to choose from. Manufacturers are developing more and more innovative and technologically sophisticated bulbs to make energy-efficient lighting convenient, fuss-free, environmentally safe, and beautiful. A typical hardware store may carry different types, such as light-emitting diode bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and energy-saving halogen. These durable alternatives maintain high color rendering and brightness, don't contain any mercury, and behave just like a plain old incandescent bulb. The changing color and warmer hues protect our eyes by reducing eye strain, while the time it takes to reach full brightness and allowing refocusing is either instantaneous or less than 3 seconds. Imagine how irritating you'd find it if your bulbs flickered - annoying, right? Well, high and rapid switching capabilities mean these bulbs operate flicker-free, keeping you comfortable and undistracted. How cool is that?

3. LED Light Bulbs

LED (light-emitting diode) is a technology that has been growing in popularity as an energy-efficient lighting alternative. Incandescent light bulbs create light by way of a glowing wire, and most other alternate light bulb types create light by way of an electrical discharge through a gas or gas mixture. An LED works in an almost opposite manner, using a smaller amount of electricity and no gas. Many high-quality LEDs are up to 80-90% more efficient than an incandescent bulb. They produce light by 'exciting' electrons through a 'semiconductor' material, which then emits light. It reduces the waste of electricity significantly, drastically reducing the level of heat the bulb emits per lumen. Most of the electricity—nearly 90% of it—is emitted as light, converting electricity into light rather than heat.

Many fixtures can support LEDs, and most are capable of LED replacement. They can be linear, round, decorative, and can also come in a variety of color temperatures according to consumer preference. The greatest advantage in LED technology lies in tremendous efficiency, long lifespan, reasonable cost, and versatility. The average lifespan of LED lights is over 25 years with a shocking 30,000 to 40,000 hours of lifetime in operating hours, with high-quality bulbs exceeding 25,000 hours. Compared to the 1,000-2,000 operating hours of incandescent bulbs, this advancement is a game-changer. Low heat emission resulting from greater efficiency allows LEDs to be installed in electrical appliances because of close proximity without damage to sensitive objects. The initial gross expenditure may be the biggest disadvantage perceived by consumers, with a higher upfront cost per unit compared to the likes of CFLs and incandescent bulbs. However, monthly electricity cost savings and a substantially decreased amount of energy usage, in the long run, make up for it. LED bulbs are dimmable and are especially bright for the lowest watt, functioning perfectly with a light dimmer. The color temperature options allow for warm or cool white that can make a considerable difference to any room. As LED-based products transmit less heat than other bulbs or fixtures, these are a better option for the consumer when considering products with cooling systems or fans. The sharp increase in demand has made this possible, and the quantum leaps in technological advances have made them significantly more cost-effective in installation. In addition, the amount of carbon dioxide and other toxic chemicals released into the atmosphere has significantly decreased, making LEDs far more environmentally friendly. Therefore, if shopping for lighting products, it is safe to say that LEDs are the best choice.

4. Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)

A technology that has been available for consumer consumption, but has only been gaining market traction in recent years, is the use of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Such lamps contain a small amount of gas enclosed in a glass tube, onto which is glued a layer of powdery phosphor. When energized, the gaseous particles emit ultraviolet radiation, causing the phosphor to emit light. The emitted light is of a later wavelength than the ultraviolet radiation. This technology is used primarily due to its improved electrical efficiency compared to incandescent light bulbs. Where incandescent bulbs have luminous efficiencies of 10 to 17 lumens per watt, CFLs have been produced at 60 to 70 lumens per watt. Therefore, they require only one-fourth to one-fifth of the energy compared to incandescent bulbs to reach the same level of illumination. CFLs also have the longest average lifespan compared to incandescents, and LEDs live up to an average of 7,000 to 15,000 hours. However, CFLs are not a perfect alternative to incandescent light bulbs. Some users cannot adjust to the slow warm-up time of some CFLs, which can be delayed in comparison to incandescent types by up to a few minutes. Some trouble reports over cold weather effects on the 'instant-on' feature of some CFLs have been reported, possibly interfacing with the preferred use of incandescents in high population densities nearest to the poles. Initial purchase price, regardless of actual payback and true cost to use, is also a factor to consider. It has been noted that a 17.5 W General Electric Heli-A by GE at $19.88 can easily be equated to a year or more of lighting needs even at 3 hours of use per day to absorb the expense difference in equivalent 60 W incandescent bulbs. Regular CFLs contain small amounts of toxic mercury and require proper handling to recycle. Social receptivity has long been suggested to be a factor in consumer purchases of these products.

5. Halogen Bulbs

Halogen bulbs are a unique type of incandescent bulb that uses halogen gas to improve the efficiency and lifespan of this widely used technology. Halogen light bulbs produce a bright, white light and reduce many of the disadvantages of traditional incandescent light bulbs, commonly referred to as "standard light bulbs." The most notable of these is their instantly bright lighting, a feature that standard incandescent bulbs take some time to warm up to. Halogen light bulbs rate poorer than some modern options when it comes to energy efficiency. However, they are a much better option than standard incandescent light bulbs in this area. A standard incandescent light bulb will only last for 1,200 hours, whereas halogen bulbs can reach 2,000 hours. Despite this, halogen bulbs are still not the best option for those prioritizing energy savings and long-lasting bulbs. Depending on how much energy your halogen bulb uses, it costs 2 to 5 times more to run per year compared to a standard LED.

Halogen light bulbs rate poorer than some modern options when it comes to energy efficiency. However, they are a much better option than standard incandescent light bulbs in this area. A standard incandescent light bulb will only last for 1,200 hours, whereas halogen bulbs can reach 2,000 hours. Despite this, halogen bulbs are still not the best option for those prioritizing energy savings and long-lasting bulbs. Depending on how much energy your halogen bulb uses, it costs 2 to 5 times more to run per year compared to a standard LED. The halogen electric filaments burn at a particularly high temperature that makes the glass around them reach temperatures of up to 250°C. This is a lot more than any other lighting using incandescent technology. Halogen light bulbs produce 90% of their energy as heat and only 10% as light. The high temperature makes them inappropriate for direct contact with some materials and objects; for example, on certain fabrics, they can heat up enough to smolder and catch fire. Therefore, when changing a halogen light bulb, you should never touch the glass with your bare hands. The oil in your skin can cause an irregular rate of heat dissipation and therefore more risk of glass shattering. Some halogen light bulbs come with a special UV block that, during manufacturing, coats the glass and stops the ultraviolet rays from getting through. This makes them great for installation in shops or museums, where products or artwork can suffer irreparable UV-ray damage over time. Halogen light bulbs are ideal for outdoor lighting and for use as spotlights.

6. Conclusion and Future Developments

In this comprehensive guide, we have offered readers a broad selection of potential alternatives to incandescent light bulbs, as well as the opportunity to learn the variety of ways that these different choices can be used in the home. However, we would be remiss if we didn’t take the time to sum up everything we’ve discussed so far. The following eclectic mix of information showcases the main points from each section of the paper:

Low-energy lighting technologies are better for the environment and your wallet. While compact fluorescent lamps are predicted to become a less popular choice over the coming years, there is speculation that light-emitting diodes can provide a clear way to cut electricity costs. There are incentives to encourage switching to energy-efficient lighting products. We have noticed that people are adopting several different answers to "what can I use instead of incandescent light bulbs?" and, although consumer education is essential, the trend is towards efficient lighting as the technologies improve. We also feel that there is a distinct likelihood of smarter fixtures in the lighting technology of the future, as some LED light bulbs are now being sold with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility. This could potentially lead to home connectivity, as described in our introduction. As the price of LEDs falls, their popularity is expected to be continually on the rise. That being said, some companies are producing incandescent-like LED bulbs to cater to the tiny number of consumers who have so far retained their preference for traditional incandescent light bulbs. We believe that the government should enforce minimum energy efficiency standards on light bulbs and explore ways to reward those customers who choose to use energy-efficient light bulbs through targeting prices such as tariffs. In part, the light bulb market will change through better consumer awareness and also due to important trust elements, including a surge of practical information and eco-awareness from manufacturers. In the future, once smart technologies become more advanced and less expensive to buy, the ease of controlling lights from a distance could mean that they become steadily more attractive for potential buyers. However, sufficient consumer education is important to allow for the widespread adoption of these technologies. Therefore, the discussion concerning current consumer needs versus perceived necessities regarding what the lighting system should consist of is an interesting one. In conclusion, we encourage consumers to keep current with the reports and assessment websites to see what are the most favorable, most cost-effective choices for their individual needs.

Still in stock reflector lamps

View all