WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — If you’re still confused about which light bulb to buy as a replacement for the familiar incandescent bulb that’s being phased out, you’re not alone.
“A lot of people are still surprised as to what is going on. There’s still some confusion,” reports Pedro Villagran, manager of Light Bulbs Unlimited in West Palm Beach. “People are complaining the government is telling them what bulbs to buy.”
As of Sept. 30, it became illegal to import or manufacture the traditional 100-watt incandescent bulb. But stores can still sell what they have on the shelves, and some, including Light Bulbs Unlimited, still have them in stock. Using incandescents is not illegal.
On Jan. 1 the same federal energy legislation passed in 2007 now covers a manufacturing and import ban on 75-watt incandescent bulbs. The law requires most bulbs to be 30 percent more efficient.
On Jan. 1, 2014, the most widely sold wattage bulb — the 60-watt — will be on the way out, along with the 40-watt bulb.
“The 60-watt, that may be a real shocker there,” Villagran said.
Villagran said the change goes beyond the standard reading-lamp bulb to other types of bulbs, such as those for recessed lighting and different types of reflector bulbs.
Read more: Lightbulb marketplace makes the switch to energy-efficient bulbs – The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/smart/ci_22404354/lightbulb-marketplace-makes-switch-energy-efficient-bulbs#ixzz2Idbrsor9
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