This document discusses the phasing out of the traditional incandescent light bulb due to energy inefficiency. It provides background on Thomas Edison's invention of the long-lasting incandescent bulb and the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act that set standards to phase out the traditional bulb. It then examines more energy efficient alternatives like CFL, halogen, and LED bulbs and discusses consumer resistance to change that has stalled enforcement of the legislation.

1. The Death of the Thomas Edison’s
Incandescent Light Bulb
Speech 101
Speech Communication Skills
Written by: Mike Powers

2. The Incandescent Bulb
• Could you save 12-15% off of your electric bill?
• Who knows Thomas Edison did not invent the light bulb?
• How are these questions related?
– Humphry Davy invented the first light bulb in 1802. (bulbs.com)
– In 1890 Edison invented an incandescent bulb that would last for 1200
hours. (bulbs.com)
– Edison’s invention created the market for incandescent light bulbs,
versions of which consumers and businesses still use today.
(bulbs.com)

3. The First Reliable Incandescent
Thomas Edison’s
Incandescent Light Bulb

4. Energy Independence and Security Act
• Everyone in this room uses light bulbs.
• The “Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007”
• The current incandescent light bulb is being phased out.
• Incandescent bulb is actually very inefficient
• Produces more heat than light.
• New types of light bulbs will help the US conserve more energy.
• However implementation of the legislation has stalled.

5. Energy Independence and Security Act
• When EISA passed I was responsible for building maintenance.
• I began researching alternative light bulbs
• I had to be prepared to keep our building effectively light.
• There were not too many alternatives

6. WHY WAS EISA PASSED INTO LAW?
• The incandescent light bulb is not energy efficient.
• It takes 100 watts to produce 1690 lumens.
• A halogen light will produce 1690 lumens while using only 70-72
watts. (Washington Post)
• b. And a compact fluorescent light needs only 20-25 watts to
produce the same level of illumination. (Washington Post)
• 2. This lack of efficiency costs consumers a significant amount of
money.
• a. Experts estimate changing to more efficient light sources will
save consumers $12.5 billion by 2020. (Bloomberg)
• b. To put this in perspective, the cost of operating incandescent
bulbs is estimated at approximately 12% – 15% of a house electrical
bill. (Washington Post)

7. WHY WAS EISA PASSED INTO LAW?
• But it’s not just consumers impacted
• US energy consumption energy production infrastructure.
• If everyone in the US switched to energy efficient bulbs
• It will lessen the draw on US energy production
• Helping the system meet growing need.

8. Incandescent Light Bulb
PHASE-
OUT DATES
(effective
Jan. 1)
2012 2013 —2014—
ENERGY
USED
(watts) 100W 75W 60W 40W
LIGHT
PRODUCED
(lumens) 1,690 1,170 850 475
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/business/phasing-out-incandescent-light-bulb/

9. Energy Efficient Alternatives
• New more efficient incandescent bulb.
– The Philips EcoVantage line is up to 30
percent more energy efficient.
– Strengths: similar lighting effects, people
don’t like change
– Weaknesses: not as efficient as other
options
• does not save as much energy or
money

10. Energy Efficient Alternatives
• Compact fluorescent light (CFL)
• Uses only 20-25W to produce same light as
100W Incandescent bulb
• Strength: second most energy efficient option
• Weaknesses:
– light doesn’t look the same
– Can take the light a few minutes to warm up,
– CFL bulbs contain Mercury

11. Energy Efficient Alternatives
• Halogen light bulb
• Strengths:
– Uses approximately 30% less electricity to
produce same light
– Looks like an incandescent bulb
• Weaknesses:
– Not the most efficient option
– Puts out a lot of unwanted heat

12. Energy Efficient Alternatives
• LED light bulb
• Strengths:
– The most energy efficient option
– Very Long Life
• Weaknesses:
– Currently limited choices for 100 watt
bulb replacement.
– Expensive

13. Why EISA Enforcement Lost Funding
• Some consumers simply don’t like change
• These consumers like their familiar incandescent light bulbs
• They don’t like the lighting produced by the new products
• Some have hoarded these bulbs in anticipation of the law
• The Tea Party worked against this legislation
• They want less government in their lives.
• Citizens deserve the freedom to make their own choices

14. WHAT CAN YOU DO?
• You have a choice about different lighting Choices
• Your choices will impact a transition
• With or without Congressional pressure, is likely to happen.
• It will simply happen more slowly without enforcement.
• The incandescent light bulb will disappear
• The only question remaining is when

15. WHAT’S NEXT
• Without funding for enforcement
– Consumers and corporations can still buy old
incandescent bulbs
• Will the savings motivate a change?
• Without legislation some will continue to use
older bulbs
• Possibly for the foreseeable future

16. Works Cited:
• “Congress Spares Incandescent Bulbs in Victory for U.S. Tea Party.” Jim Synder.
Bloomberg.com 2011. Web July 24, 2013 <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-
16/incandescent-light-bulb-spared-in-u-s-lawmakers-spending-bill.html>
• “Driving more efficiently.” Fueleconomy.gov. US Department of Energy 2011. Web, July 26,
2013. <http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drivehabits.shtml>
• “ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY ACT OF 2007 (EISA).” Energystar.gov. Energystar.gov
2011. Web July 25, 2013.
<http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/lighting/cfls/downloads/EISA_Backgrounder_FINAL
_4-11_EPA.pdf>
• “History of the light bulb.” bulbs.com. History of the light bulb, bulbs.com. Web July 25, 2013.
<http://www.bulbs.com/learning/history.aspx>
• “Lights out for the incandescent light bulb.” Washingtonpost.com. Washingtonpost.com 2010
Web July 25, 2013. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/business/phasing-out-
incandescent-light-bulb/>
• “Preparing for the bulb ban.” Adam Verymeren. Foxnews.com 2013. Web July 24, 2013.
<http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/02/20/preparing-for-bulb-ban/#ixzz2aAShkeNZ>
• “Rising Temperatures Expose Cities' Vulnerable Electrical Supplies.” Nick Sundt.
Climatessciencewatch.org 2012, Web July 26, 2013.
<http://www.climatesciencewatch.org/2012/05/24/rising-temperatures-expose-cities-
vulnerable-electrical-supplies/>