Author Topic: The US is banning fluorescent lamps  (Read 198 times)
Lcubed3
Member
***
Offline

Gender: Male
View Posts
View Gallery

MAXIMUM LUMENS!!!


The US is banning fluorescent lamps « on: January 13, 2026, 06:09:01 PM » Author: Lcubed3
Starting July 2028, the EPA will be expanding the lumens per watt requirement from 40lpw to 120lpw, and no longer exempting fluorescent lamps from the rules.

Unless Congress does something, of course.
Logged

Portland General Electric: 120/240VAC @ 60Hz
Bringer of Light

joseph_125
Member
*****
Offline

Gender: Male
View Posts
View Gallery


GoL
Re: The US is banning fluorescent lamps « Reply #1 on: January 13, 2026, 06:30:31 PM » Author: joseph_125
Unfortunately it looks most conventional light sources would fall under this and even some LED lamps won't fulfill that criteria. Unfortunately this will encourage manufacturers to phase out conventional lighting products and even with LEDs probably phase out the higher CRI ones in favour of lower CRI (70-90) LED...which don't look as nice as the higher CRI products.

In Canada I believe they are looking to ban fluorescent lamps by 2030, using mercury content as the reason to ban them.
Logged
Patrick
Webmaster
Member
*****
Offline

View Posts
View Gallery


LightingGallery
Re: The US is banning fluorescent lamps « Reply #2 on: January 13, 2026, 09:32:20 PM » Author: Patrick
I don't believe the DOE rule that goes into effect in 2028 applies to anything other than the screw-based general service lamps that are currently required to achieve an efficacy of 45 lpw today.  Linear fluorescent and HID have separate regulations, but screw-based CFLs would be considered GSLs and prohibited by this rule.
Logged

Patrick C., Administrator
Lighting-Gallery.net

HIDLad001
Member
*****
Offline

Gender: Male
View Posts
View Gallery

Alex


GoL UCwvPaxz1-rbLAjLpk55zl1A
Re: The US is banning fluorescent lamps « Reply #3 on: January 14, 2026, 01:00:07 PM » Author: HIDLad001
This seems to contradict our Dear Leader's love for old and inefficient technologies, as he specifically attempted to reverse bans on incandescent lamps and high-flow bathroom fixtures.
Logged

Officially returned to Lighting-Gallery!!

WorldwideHIDCollectorUSA
Member
*****
Offline

Gender: Male
View Posts
View Gallery

HID, LPS, and preheat fluorescents forever!!!!!!


Worldwide HIDCollectorUSA
Re: The US is banning fluorescent lamps « Reply #4 on: January 14, 2026, 01:31:33 PM » Author: WorldwideHIDCollectorUSA
In that case, would pin based CFL lamps have a separate category like the linear tubes and non-linear fluorescent lamps like circlines and u bends?

So far, I have been aware that a few US States such as California, Vermont, Hawaii, Oregon, Minnesota, and a few others have already enacted general lighting fluorescent bans. Interestingly, here in California, despite the fluorescent ban, I have still seen fluorescent ballasts and starters still being sold in hardware stores.
« Last Edit: January 14, 2026, 01:35:03 PM by WorldwideHIDCollectorUSA » Logged

Desire to collect various light bulbs (especially HID), control gear, and fixtures from around the world.

DISCLAIMER: THE EXPERIMENTS THAT I CONDUCT INVOLVING UNUSUAL LAMP/BALLAST COMBINATIONS SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED UNLESS YOU HAVE THE PROPER KNOWLEDGE. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURIES.

tigerelectronics
Member
***
Offline

View Posts
View Gallery
Long live fluorescent!


UCcObKY_XCMIZZOBNWn-PC4A
Re: The US is banning fluorescent lamps « Reply #5 on: January 14, 2026, 03:23:41 PM » Author: tigerelectronics
they have been banned here in europe since 2023. But you can still get your hands on them lol. I have a huge stash at home, so I think I will be good for the foreeable future.
Logged

Fluorescent tube hoarder :P

Lcubed3
Member
***
Offline

Gender: Male
View Posts
View Gallery

MAXIMUM LUMENS!!!


Re: The US is banning fluorescent lamps « Reply #6 on: January 14, 2026, 03:33:32 PM » Author: Lcubed3
In that case, would pin based CFL lamps have a separate category like the linear tubes and non-linear fluorescent lamps like circlines and u bends?

Yes, they are in a different category. Current definitions exempt pin-base, fluorescent, HID, and other unusual lamps from efficiency requirements.
I think what will happen is they will expand the LPW requirement and amend the definitions to include fluorescent lamps.

The ban only applies to lamps, not ballasts and other necessities. Which means that here in Oregon, in 2026, I can still go to Home Depot and buy a brand-new fluorescent fixture.

I also find it funny that they are focusing so heavily on banning light bulbs, while I can just go to another isle and buy an electric baseboard heater.
These cost much more to operate than pretty much any heat pump or natural gas furnace.
« Last Edit: January 14, 2026, 03:36:44 PM by Lcubed3 » Logged

Portland General Electric: 120/240VAC @ 60Hz
Bringer of Light

xmaslightguy
Member
*****
Offline

Gender: Male
View Posts
View Gallery

Somewhere There Is Light(ning)


GoL ATL
Re: The US is banning fluorescent lamps « Reply #7 on: January 14, 2026, 09:16:57 PM » Author: xmaslightguy
I honestly don't know why they'd even bother banning fluorescent at this point. Its a quickly dieing technology as it is. With whats got to now be the majority of businesses (and likely homes) already having converted to LED, its only a matter of time before manufacturers quit producing fluorescent - simply because lack of a market for it.



Quote from: Lcubed3
electric baseboard heater. These cost much more to operate than pretty much any heat pump or natural gas furnace.
Oh don't worry... they'll be coming for those natural gas furnaces & water heaters next.
Infact some cities and states have or are working on natural gas bans.
For example Denver passed a ban on gas powered heating in new construction commercial & large apartment development (so not homes..yet) and along with it for existing buildings a mandate that replacement heating systems must be fully or partially electric. Boulder has done the same, but also includes new homes larger than 3000 square feet.
These various bans/laws are ofcourse being challenged in court, so has yet to see what all be implemented.
Logged

ThunderStorms/Lightning/Tornados are meant to be hunted down & watched...not hidden from in the basement!

Maxim
Member
*****
Offline

Gender: Male
View Posts
View Gallery

Still seeing blue AEL Autobahns in 2025...


Re: The US is banning fluorescent lamps « Reply #8 on: January 14, 2026, 09:34:15 PM » Author: Maxim
This seems to contradict our Dear Leader's love for old and inefficient technologies, as he specifically attempted to reverse bans on incandescent lamps and high-flow bathroom fixtures.
Your reply makes you sound like a condescending, partisan idiot. Just saying... I don't exactly agree with his policies, but I also don't treat his every word with derision and certainly don't call him 'Dear Leader'...
Logged

Sometimes it just takes time and concerted effort to learn something new. Don't give up before you get there.

Print 
© 2005-2026 Lighting-Gallery.net | SMF 2.0.19 | SMF © 2021, Simple Machines | Terms and Policies