Lights out for the bulb

NEW YORK

Light bulb makers have revamped some plants, shuttered others and invested enormous sums of money in preparation for a technological shift that they believe will revolutionize the industry.

Yet the fact that the incandescent bulb, which has remained largely unchanged for more than a century, is about to become obsolete is lost on the vast majority of the public.

The phase-out of the iconic light bulb begins in three years as part of the energy bill signed in 2007. They will be edged out by light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, made from semiconductors, and compact fluorescent bulbs, known by their twisty, tubular shape.

New regulations require, for instance, that a typical 100-watt bulb be replaced by one that provides the same amount of light with 72 watts. Light bulbs will have to be even more efficient by 2020.

The author of the energy bill’s lighting provision, Sen. Jeff Bingaman, New Mexico Democrat, said at the time that incandescents “will be virtually obsolete” by 2014.

Osram Sylvania, one of the world’s largest bulb producers, commissioned a survey to find out if the public agreed, only to find out 80 percent of Americans don’t know the light bulb, as we know it, is on the way out.

Major bulb manufacturers and retailers are meeting in Dallas to find ways to incorporate LEDs into more products, but have been in transition mode for years.

General Electric closed lighting plants in Brazil, Mexico and the U.S., and Osram Sylvania is modifying existing plants.

The European Union will start phasing incandescent bulbs out in September.

Specialty incandescent bulbs — such as those used in appliances — will be available on a limited basis.

The cost of switching over to LEDs and compact fluorescents could be a jolt to some consumers.

Royal Philips Electronics introduced a line of LEDs in Europe last year for about $90. General Electric’s base LED bulb sells for about $35 to $40.

Prices will come down as technology improves, said Charlie Jerabek, president and chief executive of Osram Sylvania.

And the new bulbs do eventually pay off, economically and in efficiency.

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