1. Did you know incandescent light bulbs are being phased out?

On December 19, 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ("the Act") was signed into law. This Act set aggressive energy efficiency standards to help increase efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles. This law took effect on January 1, 2008. In general, the legislation sets efficiency standards for general service lamps that will phase out the most common incandescent light bulbs by 2012-2014.

This new legislation provides for a 3-year phase out schedule and is intended to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions. The law will require light bulbs to use 25-30% less power than the bulbs use today. In fact, it actually will save households money because of lower utility bills. The light bulb we still rely on wastes up to 90% of the electricity it consumes as heat, burning up hundreds of dollars every year in American households and increasing air population that harms human health and the environment.

2. Will all incandescent light bulbs go away? No (listed below are the light bulbs not affected in the current phase out)

1. Appliance lamp (e.g. refrigerator light)
2. Black light lamp
3. Bug lamp
4. Colored lamp
5. Infrared lamp
6. Left-hand thread lamp
7. Marine lamp
8. Marine signal service lamp
9. Mine service lamp
10. Plant light lamp
11. Reflector lamp
12. Rough service lamp
13. Shatter-resistant lamp (including a shatter-proof lamp and a shatter-protected lamp)
14. Sign service lamp
15. Silver bowl lamp
16. Showcase lamp
17. 3-way incandescent lamp
18. Traffic signal lamp
19. Vibration service lamp
20. Globe shaped "G" lamp (as defined in ANSI C78.20-2003 and C79.1-2002 with a diameter of 5 inches or more
21. T shape lamp (as defined in ANSI C78.20-2003 and C79.1-2002) and that uses not more than 40 watts or has a length of more than 10 inches
22. A B, BA, CA, F, G16-1/2, G-25, G30, S, or M-14 lamp (as defined in ANSI C79.1-2002 and ANSI C78.20-2003) of 40 watts or less
23. Candelabra incandescent and other lights not having a medium Edison screw base

3. When will the 2007 Federal Energy Act take place in the United States?

January 1, 2012 100W
January 1, 2013 75W
January 1, 2014 40W and 60W

By 2020, bulbs must be 70% more efficient. With the phase out, the U.S. would cut light bulb electricity use by 60% by 2020. The light bulb standard alone will cut Americans' electric bills up to $18 billion annually, according to Philips Electronics North America estimates.

California has already begun the phase out of the 100W incandescent at the beginning of 2011.

4. What are Lumens?

The measurement of light called Iuminous flux (candle power.) The higher the lumens the more light output. With the start of the phase out process happening throughout the country in 2012, incandescent light bulbs must meet more stringent lumens/watt requirements. The bulbs must produce the same amount of lumens (brightness) for less wattage (energy). The changes begin with the 100 watt everyday incandescent light bulb, which must now use no more than 72 watts to produce a comparable brightness.

For Example:
- If you used to buy 100 watt bulbs, look for a bulb with 1600 lumens.
- If you used to buy 75 watt bulbs, look for a bulb with 1100 lumens.

5. How do I know I am purchasing a new energy efficient bulb?

New packaging requirements in the U.S. will change the way we refer to light bulbs. Instead of buying a "72 watt light bulb," we will now purchase a "1500 lumens light bulb" or "2500 lumens light bulb." For the first time, the label on the front of the package will emphasize the bulb's brightness as measured in lumens, rather than a measurement of watts. The new front-of-package labels also will include the estimated yearly energy cost for the particular type of bulb.

The back of each package will have a "Lighting Facts" label modeled after the "Nutrition Facts" label that is currently on food packages. The Lighting Facts label will provide information about:
- Brightness
- Energy cost
- Life expectancy
- Light appearance ("warm" or "cool")
- Wattage
- Mercury content

The bulb's brightness, measured in lumens, and a disclosure for bulbs containing mercury, also will be printed on each bulb.