“New year, new rules.” That’s how it felt in January 2025 when California officially banned the sale of most linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs) under Assembly Bill 2208.
The 2025 ban on LFLs aims to phase out inefficient and environmentally harmful lighting in favor of energy-efficient alternatives. It’s a big change that business owners need to plan for now if their signage includes fluorescent lighting.
Here’s what’s been banned, why it was banned, and what the solution is for business owners with illuminated signage moving forward.
What Products Did Assembly Bill 2208 Ban?
Assembly Bill 2208 did two things:
- It introduced a new ban on the sale of LFLs.
- It expanded a 2024 ban on the sale of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Originally, only screw and bayonet base type lamps could no longer be sold in California. Under Assembly Bill 2208, pin-based CFLs are also included in the ban.
Why Ban These Products?
Banning the sale of LFLs and CFLs is a major development in the signage industry, since fluorescent lamps have long been a go-to item for signage developers and designers.
Historically, lighting professionals have used LFLs because they are energy efficient, affordable, and have a long life compared to incandescent lights.
Similarly, CFLs gained popularity because they combined the energy efficiency of fluorescent lighting with the light and brightness quality of incandescent bulbs.
However, both LFLs and CFLs have notable flaws:
- Both LFLs and CFLs consume more energy than LEDs, making them less efficient.
- LED lighting products typically last longer than other lighting types – up to 25 times longer.
- Both LFLs and CFLs pose environmental risks. When improperly disposed of, these products leak mercury into soil and water, adversely affecting ecosystems and public health.
In the long term, the ban on LFLs and CFLs is intended to support environmental sustainability and public health.
What Does The Ban Mean for Businesses?
As of now, businesses using fluorescent-lit signs cannot purchase replacement lamps, leading to:
- Increased Maintenance Costs—Because the production and sale of new bulbs are banned, it will cost more to replace burned-out bulbs in LFLs and CFLs going forward.
- Greater Non-Compliance Risks—Businesses using these outdated products will continue to pay higher energy costs than they would with LEDs. But more significantly, in the future, businesses that fail to transition to compliant lighting will also face penalties.
- Diminished Visibility—Businesses using old bulbs are likely to lose some of their brand’s visibility and professionalism as their signage burns out or begins flickering due to age.
Rather than wait to experience these issues, businesses would do well to begin switching to more sustainable lighting solutions now to save on energy costs and remain compliant.
What Are The Benefits of Upgrading Your Signage Lighting?
Upgrading your signage lighting to LED technology won’t only help the environment – it will help your business, too!
They Lower Your Operating Costs
- They Last Longer: LEDs last significantly longer than fluorescent bulbs, so your business will spend less money maintaining and replacing them.
- They Consume Less Energy: LED bulbs consume a lot less power than both their incandescent and fluorescent counterparts. The average business can reduce its electricity consumption by up to 50% when they switch to LEDs.
They Cause Less Damage To The Environment
- They Reduce Mercury Exposure. Unlike fluorescent lights, LEDs don’t contain mercury, making them the safest lighting solution for any business.
- They Consume Less Energy. Not only will this save money on your energy bill – it will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants in the atmosphere.
They Give Your Brand a Visibility Boost!
- They Outshine Old Lights: LEDs outperform fluorescent lights in both brightness and quality. Higher light quality means enhanced visibility of your signage – and, in turn, your branding.
We’re Ready To Upgrade Your Signage Lighting
If your business needs to upgrade fluorescent signage, Starfish Signs and Graphics is ready to help you make the switch to energy-efficient LED lighting. From monument signs to other illuminated displays, we specialize in building custom retrofits and delivering the upgrades you need.
You can expect the following when working with Starfish Signs and Graphics:
- Custom LED Retrofits — Starfish Signs and Graphics has an excellent process for replacing fluorescent lights in monument signs with LEDs. Our team will ensure each retrofit is tailored to fit your signage while maximizing efficiency and brightness.
- Professional Installation — Working with our experienced professionals ensures that your new LED system meets safety standards and integrates seamlessly with existing fixtures.
- Regulatory Compliance — Proper disposal of old fluorescent lamps is essential for environmental safety. Starfish Signs and Graphics can help you navigate local regulations and recycling options, such as those provided by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control.
Don’t wait for your fluorescent signs to go dark—contact us to discuss the next steps to upgrade your signs. Our experts will work with you to find the best solution for your unique signage project, ensure your business remains compliant, and ultimately help you benefit from cost savings and improved signage performance.