Sunspark Oh that's true. In fact I was wondering why you can still buy the "rough service" bulbs, which is basically all I can find around; they tend to be only in dollar stores and not hardware stores.

Now that I look closer on the package, it seems like they are cheating the ban by calling all of them "rough service" even though they state "for household use" and have a photo of a nice living room haha. They still come in frosted as well.

All the same, I will still battle away to locate what branch of the government is responsible for the ban to let them know there have to be caveats.

      ryans

      Interesting. I hadn't considered if it's the flicker in the LED or just the technology in general that makes me feel like it's searing my eyes, but it's worth trying them to find out. Thanks kindly.

      • KM replied to this.

          studioceleste I think it could be both. I have tried a lot of "flicker-free" White LED bulbs (they all reveal a tiny flicker if you use more sophisticated measurement methods) and even a truly flicker-free, battery-driven White OLED lamp, but they cause burning eyes quickly.

          • AGI likes this.

            How are folks thinking about handling this? Stocking up on a lifetime supply of incandescents?

            studioceleste They're not actually cheating if the bulbs are 130v vs 120v though. The reason this exception exists is because there isn't yet an equivalent for the intended use and maybe they figure that the people getting them will be so small anyway because of the loss in lumens due to the voltage difference.

              2 months later

              ryans The difference between halogen and incandescent is just the gas that is used inside them--argon, halogen, nitrogen, krypton, xenon. The gas for halogen bulbs lets the filament burn a little hotter, that's why it looks slightly whiter, but the technology is the same for all, just a current through a filament. So that package you're looking at, it's not that they put in electronics (there aren't any), it's just that due to the hotter gas, it doesn't need as much energy to generate an equivalent amount of lumens. So that package says 400 lumens. 1 lumen is 1 candle.

              They did ban halogens in Europe, and also the US too unfortunately. This means, you need to stockpile, the stocks won't be replaced. If you don't stockpile you will still be able to buy them from Canada, Mexico, etc. but that's more hassle.

              Some bulbs will always exist, I am skeptical there will be LEDs inside ovens for example.

                2 months later

                studioceleste Most likely you already know LightAware. Right now they are inviting to respond to a government consultation on light bulb exemption in the UK. Quoting - This is about ensuring that people who cannot tolerate LED lighting have continued access to traditional light bulbs. The measure could be dropped entirely if there is not a big enough positive response from people with light sensitivity conditions.

                Hopefully you can open the link below.

                https://mailchi.mp/c4477f461130/test-email-11577494?e=4424cd032b

                I understand it's not your country but it's a starting point. The deadline is imminent, April 4.

                I hope a lot of us provide their feedback independently of where they live.

                  AGI Signed. I'm in the UK so interested to hear the outcome.

                  • AGI likes this.

                    For anyone wanting to fill in this survey there is still 10 minutes left. You just really need to answer question 24 with a yes.

                    I just managed to submit my answers with minutes to go. I even read the 28 page report so I could answer all the questions. Hopefully the exemption for non-led bulbs remains. I mentioned the lack of choice of phones and laptops because of led. I know it has nothing to do with the questions asked but I thought I would just mention it anyway.

                    • AGI likes this.
                    22 days later

                    Sunspark In US it seems rough service might be banned (I can't really understand the legalese):

                    Subsequently, in the May 2022 Definition Final Rule, DOE reaffirmed its conclusions in the January 2017 Definition Final Rules and discontinued the exemptions from the GSIL definition for rough service lamps; shatter-resistant lamps; three-way incandescent lamps;

                    There's an interesting FB group: Ban Blinding LEDs

                      2 years later

                      Has anyone found a good/consistent place to order 60watt incandescent bulbs online? Around 600 lumens. My stock pile is almost out. Please post a link if you have it. Also 100 watt. Does anyone order from another country?

                      dev