Thanks to recent regulation that resulted from a 7-year campaign, Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, traditional incandescent light bulbs will eventually fade away like the dinosaur. The United States’ government mandated certain efficiency standards for bulbs going forward. As it happens, certain incandescent bulbs that we currently use do not meet these standards and thus must either be adapted or be phased out. This mandate phased out both 75-watt and 100-watt varieties and now leads to the disappearance of 60-watt and 40-watt bulbs, although, this fact, may come as a surprise to many Americans who once relied on these exact sizes.
Of course, no discontinuation of manufacturing is being mandated. Simply, higher efficiency standards that are trying to keep pace with rapidly advancing technology have finally been enacted. Therefore, light bulbs designed to fit the same sockets and appliances will now be constructed out of compact fluorescents and LEDs. Certain retailers have been stockpiling incandescent bulbs to meet their customer’s demands, but eventually these hoards will be depleted. However, most consumers have adjusted to the inevitable change. They are informed of the new technology and are no longer confused about the elimination of the incandescent light bulb, most switching to compact fluorescents and LEDs.
The new legislation excludes incandescent candelabra bulbs, reflector floods, appliance bulbs and other specialty bulbs.
Although the cost of these new bulbs are considerably higher at this point, they last longer and supply light at a fraction of the energy cost lowering utility bills and carbon footprints. How many people does it take to change a light bulb lists the different varieties of light bulbs to assist you in choosing the correct light bulb for your lighting fixture.