Ikea US Promotes LED to Replace Incandescents

17 Jun 2010

Beginning August 1, 2010, Ikea will begin a transition away from incandescent lighting to CFL, LED, and Halogen bulbs. It plans to stop selling the older bulbs by the end of the year.

The Ikea retail chain will move in advance of federal and state legislation targeting inefficient incandescent lighting, and stop selling the legacy bulbs in US stores this year. Starting August 1, Ikea will emphasize CFL, LED, and Halogen alternatives. Incandescent bulbs will begin to disappear from shelves.

US legislation mandates a phase-out program starting in 2012. Ikea states that its early move "exemplifies IKEA's strong commitment to helping their customers live an everyday sustainable life."

US Ikea President Mike Ward said, "Eliminating incandescents is a simple way to lead the charge for Ikea customers to use energy saving light bulbs, thus reducing energy consumption and reducing the amount of greenhouses gases."

Ikea will be stepping up its offering of alternative bulbs. According to the retailer, LED retrofit bulbs now on its shelves use 70% less energy than incandescents and last 20 times longer.