IKEA removes all incandescent light bulbs from stores

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–IKEA has pulled the plug. Incandescent lights are out.* As of January 4, 2011, IKEA US stores no longer stock or sell these traditional bulbs. Ahead of the upcoming legislation – The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 that will phase out all incandescent light bulbs by 2012-2014 (2) – IKEA has now made these lights a thing of the past. As a result, IKEA is now the first major retailer to stop the sale of incandescent lights.

Switch Off. Switch Over. IKEA made the announcement back in late Spring that starting August 2010, IKEA would begin to phase out selling incandescent light bulbs with a January 2011 stop date. Focusing on a comprehensive range of effective energy saving bulbs, IKEA currently offers: the popular compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) – many of which have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® label, as well as a full range of LED lamps that are 70% more efficient than incandescents. IKEA’s offering also includes Halogen lamps which consume 30% less energy than traditional incandescents and are a great ‘white light’ alternative. The halogen range also includes a halogen retrofit bulb which can be used in a standard light socket. IKEA also offers solar powered lamps including the SUNNAN desk lamp and the ‘SOLVINDEN’ range of outdoor lights.

“IKEA is committed to integrating sustainable practices into our range and business practices. As the largest home furnishings store, we are constantly looking at ways to help support our customers with every day environmentally responsible solutions that will improve their lives. Eliminating incandescents is just one simple way for IKEA customers to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases,” commented Mike Ward, US IKEA President.

What do consumers think about this phase out, upcoming government legislation and more? IKEA wanted to know. Here are the results of the IKEA lighting survey, conducted by telephone in December 2010 by Harris Interactive among 1,011 US adults. (3)

•Changing light bulbs in home to energy saving lights. Nearly two-thirds (59%) of Americans have changed majority of light bulbs in their homes to energy saving lights. Women (63%) are more likely to have changed their bulbs than men (55%).
•Awareness of US Legislation; The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 which will mandate more efficient light bulbs by 2012-2014. More than half (61%) of Americans are not aware of the legislation to phase out incandescent light bulbs. And 84% of people, ages 18-24, are not aware of the legislation.
•Concern for energy saving lights. More than two-thirds (67%) of Americans care about using energy saving lights. And more than half (56%) of Americans are ready to switch to energy saving lights.
•Saving money. Nearly 8 in 10 (79%) Americans believe that using energy saving lights will save them money.
•Disposal of old bulbs. 62% of Americans are not concerned about disposal of old bulbs.
•Environmental Practice. 81% of Americans say that using energy saving lights is a good environmental practice.
•Light color and intensity concern. Only 14% of Americans are “very concerned” about light color, in regards to the change from incandescent to energy saving lights in their homes. 51% of Americans are “not at all concerned” about light color. More than half (61%) of Americans are not concerned about light intensity, in regards to the change from incandescent to energy saving lights in their homes.

73% of Americans are not concerned about being able to dim the lights with energy saving lights. In regard to the change from incandescent to energy saving lights, more than half (56%) of Americans are not concerned about the bulb not being able to fit in their regular light fixtures.
“We are pleased to have IKEA as both a retail and lighting partner with ENERGY STAR, says Alex Baker (ENERGY STAR Lighting Program Manager, EPA).Their commitment to qualify their IKEA brand CFLs and promote energy-efficient lighting helps save their customers’ energy and money, while making an important difference in the fight against climate change.”

From 2001- 2007, IKEA was the first and only retailer offering its customers an environmentally safe recycling program for CFLs. In fiscal 2006 year, IKEA recycled 126,722 CFLs. The IKEA stop sale of all incandescent light bulbs is just one of many sustainable initiatives that IKEA has taken. The IKEA Sustainability Report clearly outlines many other programs and actions that IKEA has and will take to lessen the company’s impact on the environment and be a responsible global citizen.

Clearly, Thomas Edison’s incandescent light bulb discovery was a landmark 19th century invention. But times have changed. New discoveries prevail. And everyday sustainability practices are important to IKEA customers. People are questioning old habits and creating new lifestyles with a charge to be environmentally responsible – everyday in some simple way. Whether it be great home furnishing solutions or sustainable practices, IKEA is dedicated to helping its customers improve their everyday lives.

Did You Know?

IKEA offers lighting solutions that are more efficient and have less negative impact on the environment.

•CFLs last from 6-10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs (6000 – 10,000 vs. 1,000 hours) and use 80% less energy. Due to this lower energy use, they can save $30 or more in energy costs over each bulb’s lifetime. (EnergyStar.gov)
•If every American household replaced 1 incandescent bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL bulb, we would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for 1 year. (EnergyStar.gov)
•IKEA supports the recycling of all mercury containing CFL light bulbs through the take back recycle bins at all IKEA stores.
•According to 18seconds.org, if every American home replaced just one light bulb with a CFL, we would prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than two million cars. And families would save more than $600 million in annual energy costs. The average American family spends $1,900 on energy bills each year. (green.yahoo.com/18seconds)
•Lighting expenses account for almost 25% of electricity costs of customers’ homes. (EnergyStar.gov). Halogen bulbs use 30% less energy and last 2-4 times longer than conventional bulbs. (IKEA Group). IKEA LED lights use 70% less energy and burn at least 20 times longer than a standard incandescent bulb. (IKEA Group)

* While IKEA has phased out all Incandescent light bulbs, IKEA will continue to sell two styles of 25 watt chandelier bulbs. This falls under the guidelines of The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

(2) The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires that all general purpose light bulbs be 30% more energy efficient (similar to current halogen lamps) than current incandescent bulbs by 2012 to 2014. The bulbs that are exempt from the government ban are reflector bulbs, appliance lamps, 3 way and candelabra bulbs.

(3) This survey was conducted by phone by Harris Interactive in the US on behalf of IKEA US from December 1-5, 2010 among 1,011 adults ages 18 and older. Results were weighted to reflect the US adult population. For complete survey methodology, including weight variables, please contact IKEA Corporate PR.