New standards for energy-efficient lighting means consumers will be hard-pressed to find incandescent light bulbs in the new year, but critics say there are still questions about the efficiency and safety of the spiral-shaped replacements.
As of January 1, B.C. retailers can continue to carry the old incandescent 75W and 100W bulbs until their stock runs out, but cannot place new orders for such bulbs.
The B.C. standard is a year ahead of the federal government’s national light bulb efficiency standards, which will apply to most wattage levels sold across the country in 2012 (although several specialty lights are exempted from both the B.C. and federal standards).
According to the provincial government, B.C. leads the country in the adoption of energy-efficient lighting alternatives such as compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL).
Over seven million of the spiral-shaped CFLs have been sold annually in B.C. in recent years, and 78% of B.C. homes are using CFLs.
But retailers are reporting they are receiving bulk orders of incandescent bulbs from consumers wanting to stockpile the old bulbs while they can.
Critics of CFLs say the bulbs are, among other things, difficult to recycle, although the province says both incandescent and CFLs can be recycled at drop-off locations around B.C.
Due to the mercury CFLs contain, critics say the bulbs are potentially dangerous to handle when broken. Some consumers have reported sensitivity to the bulb’s unique flicker.
In the United States, California is the first state to ban the incandescent bulb as of January 1.
The rest of the U.S. will have to follow suit in 2012, when the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 takes effect.