California’s AB 2208, signed in September 2022, bans the sale and distribution of certain fluorescent bulbs.
What the Ban Covers:
The law affects two primary types of fluorescent lamps:
Screw or bayonet base compact fluorescent lamps - banned as of January 1, 2024.
Pin-base compact fluorescent lamps - banned starting January 1, 2025.
It will be illegal to sell or distribute those types of lamps in California after the above dates. As a result, any organization still using fluorescent lighting should start planning for alternative lighting systems.
Why the Ban?
This bill aims to protect public health and the environment by reducing exposure to the mercury found in these lamps. (Mercury from discarded lamps can seep into soil and water, contaminating ecosystems and entering the food chain, potentially causing neurological damage in humans.)
Fluorescent lighting can have additional side effects that impact health and productivity, including:
Headaches and Eye Strain: Prolonged exposure to fluorescent lights is linked to headaches and eye strain due to their high intensity and flickering. This is especially prevalent in office, warehouse and classroom environments, where people spend most of the day under artificial lighting.
Aggravated Sleep Disorders: Fluorescent lights emit high levels of blue light, which suppresses melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. This can disrupt circadian rhythms, making it difficult for people to fall and stay asleep, ultimately impacting their focus and productivity. Those with existing sleep disorders may find fluorescent lights exacerbate their symptoms, leading to low energy and impaired decision-making.
Light Sensitivity (Photophobia): The flickering and brightness of fluorescent lights can trigger photophobia, a sensitivity to light that can cause migraines, nausea, blurred vision, and dizziness. According to the National Headache Foundation, people with photophobia often experience these symptoms under bright, flickering light.
By banning these lamps, California aims to protect residents and the environment.
What's the Up-side?
The good news is that upgrading your lighting will deliver long-term savings, reduced maintenance costs, an improved indoor environment and environmental benefits. Specific advantages of upgrading lighting systems include:
Energy Efficiency: LEDs use energy more efficiently than other light sources, producing more light per watt and reducing waste. Switching from incandescent to LED lighting can boost efficiency by up to 90%, leading to significant energy savings.
Long Life Span: LEDs last much longer than traditional bulbs—up to 30 times longer than incandescent bulbs—reducing the need for replacements and lowering maintenance costs.
Lower Environmental Impact: LEDs reduce environmental impact by consuming less energy and aligning with sustainability goals.
Minimal UV and Heat Emissions: LEDs emit minimal UV and infrared light, protecting sensitive items like artwork. They also stay cool, unlike incandescent bulbs, which lose 90% of their energy as heat.
Enhanced Safety: LEDs are safer than fluorescent and mercury vapor lights, which contain harmful chemicals. LEDs don’t contain mercury, simplifying disposal and minimizing environmental risks.
Flexible Design: LEDs are compact and versatile, fitting both small devices and large installations, like stadium lighting. Their adaptability allows for creative, tailored lighting solutions.
Directional Lighting: LEDs emit light in one direction, eliminating the need for reflectors and making them ideal for targeted lighting applications, such as spotlighting art or signage.
Instant On and Off: LEDs turn on instantly and handle frequent switching without reducing lifespan, making them perfect for setups that need immediate lighting or color changes, like LED walls.
Dimming Capability: LEDs maintain efficiency at all brightness levels and can be dimmed from 5% to 100%, helping to save energy and extend bulb life while providing ambiance.
Low Voltage Operation: LEDs operate on low voltage, which is safer in flood-prone areas and allows for outdoor use where traditional lighting may not meet safety standards.
Effective in Various Temperatures: LEDs perform well in both hot and cold environments, making them suitable for outdoor areas, parking lots, and refrigerated spaces.
High Color Rendering Index (CRI):With a high CRI, LEDs accurately display colors, unlike some traditional lights, which can make surroundings appear washed out.
What Should You do Now?
Partner with an Experienced Lighting Provider: Working with an experienced lighting provider like ABS is essential for navigating the lighting phaseout efficiently. This partnership reduces staff involvement, minimizes liability, and cuts energy consumption while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Conduct Professional Lighting Audits: Performing a comprehensive lighting audit is an essential first step in preparing for the phaseout of outdated lighting. The ABS lighting audit will identify energy-saving opportunities within your facility and provide the insights needed to develop a lighting plan that aligns with your operational and budget goals.
Evaluate Retrofit Projects by Location and ROI: Once the lighting audits are complete, ABS's project management team can help determine the most strategic locations for retrofitting based on geography and potential financial return. Our Return on Investment (ROI) analysis can highlight immediate energy savings, project payback timelines, cost of delays, and environmental impact, guiding your retrofit priorities and decisions.
Leverage Utility Rebates and Incentives: Now is an excellent time to utilize substantial rebates and incentives offered by utilities and government programs for switching from fluorescent lighting to energy-efficient LEDs. As part of the ROI analysis, US LED can estimate all applicable rebates, manage documentation, and ensure maximum funding for your lighting project.
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