How to Buy a New Energy-Efficient Light Bulb

You may have heard by now: the classic incandescent light bulb is on its way out. Because incandescent light bulbs are some of the least efficient on the market—wasting up to 90% of electricity as heat instead of light—they are being phased out of production and what’s on the shelves and in warehouses now is all that’s left. To be clear, only “standard” bulbs need to meet the new requirements. Plenty of bulbs are exempt from the new standards—including appliance lamps, rough service bulbs, 3-way bulbs, colored lamps, stage lighting, plant lights, candelabra lights under 60 watts, and outdoor post lights less than 100 watts.