CE Pro October 2023 - 24

Lighting
FIXTURES | CONTROLS | MOTORIZED SHADES
Federal Ban on Incandescent Bulbs Puts
LEDs in Spotlight
A DoE ruling on the minimum allowable
lighting efficiency goes into effect,
rendering most traditional incandescent
bulbs unfit for sale or manufacture.
By Nick Boever
A RULE banning the sale of
common incandescent bulbs
went effect throughout the
country as of August 1, 2023.
While not a specific ban
on incandescent bulbs, the
new rule passed by the U.S.
Department of Energy (DoE),
sets a minimum efficiency for
light bulbs at 45 lumens per
watt. This effectively outlaws
most incandescent light bulbs,
as a traditional incandescent
emits only 15 lumens per watt.
By contrast, most LED
bulbs emit 75 lumens per
watt or more, depending on
the manufacturer.
The current rule culminates
a bipartisan effort to
phase out inefficient light
IN BRIEF
Environmental Lights Acquires
Commercial Theater Company
ENVIRONMENTAL LIGHTS, a manufacturer of LED lighting
solutions, has announced that it has acquired City
Theatrical, Inc. and City Theatrical, Ltd. (U.K.). According
to the company, the acquisition continues its growth trajectory
as it expands its footprint and product offerings in
the scenic market.
The commercial theater company, based in Carlstadt, N.J.,
has been servicing the scenic and theatrical markets for over
24 | CE Pro October 2023
37 years. Its Multiverse Wireless DMX technology is accepted
as the standard in live performance globally, serving both
Broadway and West End theatrical productions.
" Environmental Lights is focused on being the lighting
leader in each of our core verticals. The acquisition of City
Theatrical combines two strong businesses in the scenic
market under one roof, positioning us as the clear leader, "
says Brad Tedder, CEO of Environmental Lights.
The move solidifies Environmental Lights' position as a
leading entertainment lighting supplier and presents a dynamic
upside for customers of both companies, they state.
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bulbs that started in 2007
under the Bush administration
and was ultimately
implemented during the
Obama administration before
being rolled back under the
Trump administration in 2019.
The original rule put forward
was to have all commercially
available light bulbs have 25%
greater efficiency.
Under the new ruling,
the DoE estimates that U.S.
consumers will save close to
$3 billion on their utility bills.
The move is also expected to
cut carbon emissions by 222
million metric tons over the
next 30 years.
Others, meanwhile, have
argued that the rule will
The ruling could be good news for integrators as it effectively
solidifies LEDs as the standard in residences moving forward.
ultimately be beneficial
for consumers and the
economy, as well as the
environment, as the rule is
expected to save American
businesses roughly $12.5
billion in energy costs.
For integrators, the new
ruling is of particular note, as
it effectively solidifies LED
lighting fixtures the standard
in all homes moving forward.
According to a residential
lighting survey conducted
by the DoE in 2020, roughly
half of all homes in the U.S.
currently use LED fixtures for
their indoor lighting.
" The slow death of
incandescent bulbs will
likely affect the decorative
lighting market more than
the performance architectural
lighting market, as most
quality downlights and strips
are already LED, " says David
Warfel, chief evangelist of
light for the lighting design
firm Light Can Help You.
It should be noted that
the ban relates only to the
manufacture and sale of these
products and not the use
of said products. However,
a spokesman with the DoE,
who was not authorized
to speak publicly, has been
recorded as saying that the
retailers and distributors
should contact the agency
regarding " flexibilities with
their inventory. "
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CE Pro October 2023

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