Philips Seeks to Beat Incandescent ‘Ban’

by | Apr 19, 2011

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Philips Lighting is launching a range of incandescent light bulbs that it says comply with impending energy-efficiency regulations.

The EcoVantage range has the same look, shape and feel as common household bulbs, available in soft white, true-color natural light and crystal clear options, and starts at $2.97 for a two-pack, Philips said. EcoVantage uses halogen technology to offer energy savings of at least 28 percent, the company added.

The lights are available in 29-watt, 43-watt and 72-watt versions, replacing 40-watt, 60-watt and 100-watt traditional incandescents. The bulbs will be sold exclusively at Home Depot, starting on Earth Day.

Philips says that if every American were to replace a traditional 100 watt bulb with an EcoVantage bulb, it would prevent emissions equivalent to 590,588 cars, saving $388 million in energy costs and eliminate the need for 3000 MW of power.

The company said the bulbs meet or exceed efficiency standards established in the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, and are some of the most environmentally friendly incandescent bulbs on the market.

The acts’ regulations have often been described as a ban on incandescents, but the legislation does not outlaw the bulbs outright. Instead, it enacts efficiency standards that most incandescents are unable to meet.

California is phasing out incandescents a year early. But other states have pushed back against the regulations.

South Carolina legislators have introduced the Incandescent Light Bulb Freedom Act, which would permit manufacturers to make incandescent bulbs in the state, as long as the bulbs are stamped with the words “Made in South Carolina” and sold only in that state.

Last year Arizona lawmakers tried to pass a law similar to South Carolina’s, but it was vetoed by Republican governor Jan Brewer. Such bills have also been considered in Texas, Georgia and Minnesota.

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