Halogen Light Bulb Ban: A Shift to Energy Efficient LED Bulbs

Halogen Bulb Ban and Why LED Lights are the Future

Posted on 21, July, 2020

Last Modified on 19, February, 2021

Saying Goodbye to Halogen and Incandescent Light Bulbs

After a years-long legal process ending on November 13, 2019, The California Energy Commission voted to ban the sale of light bulbs they deemed inefficient starting on January 1, 2020. As if sparking a new energy-conscious era, a total of 14 other states and districts filed suit against the US federal government over energy efficiency standards and are expected to pass similar bans in the near future. Starting in 2020, all general service lamps (GSLs) must have an energy efficiency rating of 45 lumens per watt (LPW) in order to be legally sold or utilized at public events - which is the rate in which a bulb is able to convert power (watts) into light (lumens).

To remove technical jargon, this boils down to the fact that your light bulb is required to pTo put it more simply, this means that your light bulb is required to produce a minimum amount of light per watt or it will not be allowed to be sold or used in the state of California, with 14 other states following close behind.

The solution comes in a new focus on LED bulbs due to their incredible energy efficiency which converts a staggering 80%-90% of energy into light whereas traditional halogen bulbs emit 10%-20% as light and the remaining energy as heat. This highlights a key problem with halogen bulbs: not only do they waste a majority of the energy used for their intended purpose, but they generate an incredible amount of heat, which can lead to serious fire risks when left on for prolonged periods around flammable materials, such as promotional displays used at trade shows.

See below for a clear comparison between LED and halogen bulbs:

Features	LED	Halogen
Heat Emission	10%-20% of total energy	80%-90% of total energy
Power Consumption	Average of 8 Watts	Average of 90 Watts
Lifespan	50,000 - 60,000 hours	800 - 1,200 hours
Average Cost	$6-$8/bulb	$3-$5/bulb
UV Emissions	None	Minimal

Let's get Specific; Which Bulbs Were Banned and Why?

Incandescent-halogen bulbs are antiquated light sources that sometimes require additional support such as low-voltage transformers or even shields to be considered safe and functional. While these bulbs do cost less off-the-shelf, making them an appealing option to the consumer who wants to save a quick buck, they do cost more in the long-run from energy consumption alone. These types of bulbs emit an enormous amount of heat and can be uncomfortable to stand near or under for prolonged periods of time, especially while working in a trade show booth. Because this light is generated from a high-pressure gas having an electric current run through it, halogen bulbs have a tendency to crack or shatter when hot and can not be touched while on or recently turned off. On top of all of this, incandescent-halogen bulbs suffer from an incredibly short lifespan when used daily, with most top-shelf options lasting about 6 -months on average. Have Been Restricted by the State of California?

All reflectors: R14, R16, R20, BR30, and BR40
All PARs: PAR20, PAR30, and PAR38
All MR16: bi-pin and GU10
All high lumen A-shaped lamps
All A19 halogen
A19 3-way incandescent lamps
Rough service, shatter resistant, and vibration service lamps (such as A19 silicone coated)
Décor lamps (B-shape, C-shape, F-shape, G16.5, G25, G30) between 310 and 3300 lumens
Candelabra and intermediate base lamps between 310 and 3600 lumens

Why Should We Switch to LED Light Bulbs?

To follow the guidance of The California Energy Commission, we predict these standards alone will save 4,000 - 13,6000 gigawatts of energy, which translates to a total savings of $736 million and $2.4 billion as LED light bulbs are adopted throughout the state, nevermind the United States. According to the Energy Department, and as evidenced by our table above, the LED light bulbs on our retail store shelves today are using about 80% less energy than traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs.

What are the advantages of LED Light Bulbs?

Light-emitting diodes are incredibly small and utilize a mix of red, green, and blue colors to create a pure white light. These energy-efficient bulbs are compact, cover larger areas, and produce a higher quality of light than their counterparts.

LED lights are designed to focus in a single direction, removing the need for reflectors and diffusers which often trap and reduce the quality of the light emitted. As a result, these bulbs enjoy many more uses than traditional halogen lights, including recessed downlights or track lighting.

LED lighting fixtures bring the light, but not the heat. These bulbs output upwards of 80%-90% of their energy as light with very minimal heat.

What Does the Halogen Bulb Ban Mean for Trade Shows & How Can We Help?

We here at Displays2go would be remiss if we didn't keep our customers up-to-date with the latest rules and regulations that they may encounter over their ever-busy trade show seasons. While this ban is currently affecting events in California, there are 14 other states that are close behind in passing similar bans. We need our customers to be aware that if they attend an event in any of these states while planning to use halogen or incandescent bulbs, they will be turned away by event-managers or asked to go purchase LED bulbs before continuing to set up the booth. In response to these bans, Displays2go is making an effort to discontinue any product that utilizes halogen bulbs whilst highlighting the benefits of LED lighting systems. Browse our trade show lighting supplies to view a large assortment of LED bulbs and discounted halogen fixtures before they are removed from our catalog. As a company, Displays2go is committed to a more energy-efficient future for our customers and our communities, an ideology that makes this change in focus to LED lighting an easy decision to make.