Majority of Americans aware of light bulb phase out

With the federal phase out set to commence on Jan. 1, 2012, the fourth annual SYLVANIA Socket Survey found that for the first time since the study‘s inception in 2008, a majority of Americans (55 percent) said they are aware of 2007 congressional legislation that will phase-out most standard incandescent light bulbs.

“We‘re encouraged by the dramatic increase in awareness of the national phase out in the last year and are committed to supporting further lighting education,” said Rick Leaman, President and CEO, of OSRAM SYLVANIA.

While this year‘s results indicate the amount of people optimistic about new technologies is up — with 56 percent of respondents reporting that they are eager to use more energy efficient lighting solutions — one third of respondents said they are worried about the phase out. For a third year in a row, 13 percent of respondents said they plan to save up or “hoard” 100-watt incandescent bulbs.

OSRAM SYLVANIA has developed the only American-made 72-watt halogen incandescent bulb designed to replace the 100-watt standard incandescent bulb phasing out in January. The mercury-free SYLVANIA Halogen bulbs use 28 percent less energy, are fully dimmable and have a color-rendering index of 100.