Beginning January 1, 2012, in accordance with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the common light bulb will be required to be 25 percent more efficient. Traditional, inefficient 100 watt incandescent light bulbs will not meet the standards and will no longer be available at most stores.*

According to the Department of Energy, the new energy efficiency standards will affect conventional, pear-shaped medium size screw-in, light bulbs, and some reflector bulbs like the ones typically used in household lighting fixtures.

To learn more about energy efficient lighting and the phase-out of incandescent bulbs, visit the Department of Energy's website.

What is the benefit?

Alternatives to these bulbs might be slightly more expensive, but can provide savings in the long term. The typical incandescent bulb that you are using now costs approximately 50 cents; a more efficient compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) will cost the consumer around $2. However, that CFL will burn up to 10 times longer and use ¼ the electricity as the standard bulb.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading 15 inefficient incandescent bulbs in your home could save you around $50 per yet. The Site explains, "Nationwide, lighting accounts for about 10% of home electricity use. With new EISA standards, U.S. households could save nearly $6 billion dollars in 2015 alone.

Are there exclusions?

The new standards do not affect all bulbs. Various specialty bulbs are exempt, including appliance bulbs, heavy-duty bulbs, colored lights, three-way bulbs, and others. Exemptions: There are 22 types of traditional incandescent lamps that are exempt. The Department of Energy will monitor sales of these exempted lamp types after the legislation is implemented.

• Appliance lamp
• Black light lamp
• Bug lamp
• Colored lamp
• Infrared lamp
• Left-hand thread lamp
• Marine lamp
• Marine's signal service lamp
• Mine service lamp
• Plant light lamp
• Reflector lamp
• Rough service lamp
• Shatter-resistant lamp (including shatter-proof & shatter-protected)
• Sign service lamp
• Silver bowl lamp
• Showcase lamp
• 3-way incandescent lamp
• Traffic signal lamp
• Vibration service lamp
• G shape lamp (as defined in ANSI C78.20-2003 and C79.1-2002) with a diameter of 5" or more
• T shape lamp (as defined in ANSI C78.20-2003 and C79.1-2002) and that uses no more than 40W or has a length of more than 10"
• B, BA, CA, F, G16-1/2, G-25, G-30, S, or M-14 lamp (as defined in ANSI C78.20-2003 and C79.1-2002) of 40W or less

To learn more about energy efficient lighting and the phase-out of incandescent bulbs, visit the Department of Energy's website.

* The EISA 2007 act specifically limits the import or manufacture of inefficient bulbs. Stores will be able to sell remaining inventory.