While the lighting industry is hard at work developing energy-efficient and cost-effective replacements for the soon-to-be-extinct incandescent bulb, consumers are apparently unaware of the upcoming incandescent phase-out as outlined in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
The second annual “SYLVANIA Socket Survey,” released recently by North American lighting company OSRAM SYLVANIA, reports that 74 percent of Americans have already made the switch to more-efficient lighting products, primarily compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), in the past year to take advantage of the energy savings, not to get ahead of the incandescent phase-out. In fact, the survey found that 74 percent of Americans didn’t know about the ban on incandescent light bulbs.
When it comes to selecting energy-efficient lamps, CFLs reign supreme, falling second only to traditional incandescent bulbs. Also, 79 percent of consumers indicate that they’re most likely to purchase CFLs in the future. Thirty-two percent cite efficiency as a CFL’s primary benefit, but 31 percent are still concerned about the higher up-front cost and 27 percent are concerned about mercury content. Also, halogen lamps are popular with 40 percent of consumers. Only 12 percent reported they are using light emitting diode (LED) lamps. While not yet ready to make the leap to LED lamps, consumers will eventually make the transition to newer technologies as they become more cost effective, the survey indicates.
According to the survey, when informed about the unavailability of 100-watt incandescent bulbs after Jan.1, 2012, only 13 percent of consumers said they would buy extra 100-watt bulbs in advance of the ban and only 16 percent said they would switch to lower-wattage incandescent bulbs. Sixty-six percent indicated they would make the switch to a different technology lamp, with 57 percent saying they will choose CFLs.
“Consumers have made it clear that the difference between cost and value is more important now than ever, and the industry will need to respond swiftly even as we continue to innovate,” said OSRAM SYVLANIA president and CEO Rick Leaman, summing up the survey. “2010 will be a year of education, not only for consumers but also for commercial customers as they begin to understand options offered by new-to-market energy-efficient lighting solutions.”
