Non-Frugal Light Bulbs May Soon Be Illegal

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

For anyone concerned with lighting their home, fluorescent light-bulbs are the way to go. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL) use about 25 percent of the energy that traditional, incandescent light bulbs use. They also generate much less heat than a conventional light bulb, as much as 70 percent less heat.

The CFL bulbs are known for their spiral shape.

If you live in California, you may be forced to give up your traditional light bulbs and made to use the CFL bulbs exclusively. Currently on the agenda for a California law maker is a law, that if passed, would ban the use of any other type of incandescent bulbs. This law would take effect in just five years from now, in 2012.

California Assemblyman Lloyd Levine is the lawmaker who is trying to push this law through.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), only about 5 percent for the light-bulbs purchased in 2006 were CFL bulbs. They aren't taking a stand on Levine's law, but they do recommend the use of CFL bulbs to save energy.

Known as the "How Many Legislators Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb Act," this potential law is seen by some as a groundbreaking step to cut back on energy usage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Other view the potential law as an act against their rights to choose how to light their homes.

In my home, we do have CFLs in some places, such as the basements, but we haven't converted over to all CFL light bulbs. I really enjoy to soft light of a traditional bulb in the evenings when we are having family time. And some of our fixtures, such as our over the counter lighting simply won't take CFL bulbs.

What do you think? Is this law a good idea? While you may not currently live in California, the passing of this law could make other states enact similar laws about energy efficiency.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, online content manager, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania in the middle of the woods but close enough to Target and Home Depot.

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