Because of a new federal energy act, 100-watt incandescent light bulbs will disappear from store shelves in the United States starting next year.
The bulb will no longer be available because of a new energy act that mandates all light bulbs be 25 to 35 percent more efficient. The federal act means more consumers will be forced to buy more energy efficient bulbs like compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs.
In addition to CFL bulbs, newer LED lights are hitting the market, which are usually more expensive. Clark Howard, WJAC-TV`s consumer advisor, said switching incandescent bulbs with energy efficient bulbs can save some people $300 a year in electric costs.
Shane Matteson, of Energy Conservation, said his job is to make homes more efficient and said CFLs use 1/4 of the wattage and provide the same amount of light. Yacov Golan, of C Lighting in Atlanta, said the 100-watt incandescent bulbs are inefficient, but said some of his customers are turned off by the CFL and LED bulbs' glow.
"It`s hard for me to convince the customer to give up the richness and quality of the incandescent to LED light, " Golan said.
Matteson said he isn't shedding any tears for the 100-watt incandescent.
"The lifetime savings is huge. I mean, you're spending three bucks a bulb compared to a dollar or 80 cents a bulb. But, overall, it's a good thing for the environment and a good thing for your pocketbook, too, " Matteson said.
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