Incandescent light bulbs are now banned in the United States—here's what to buy instead
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It's officially the end of the era. As of August 1, you can no longer purchase incandescent light bulbs, nor are they being manufactured in the United States. This ban also applies to Halogen bulbs and it’s possible that by 2025, Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) will also be phased out under the Biden administration’s new standards. These light bulbs are being phased out in favor of LED light bulbs, which use less energy while lasting longer. The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) estimates that the switch will save American households an average of $100 per year on energy bills, totaling about $3 billion in energy costs for American consumers across the board.
We know change can be difficult, so we're here to tell you exactly what this ban means for you and to help you find the best light bulbs for use in your house. After all, making the switch sooner will help you save more money than if you drag your feet.
When will the incandescent light bulb ban go into effect?
Incandescent light bulbs stopped being manufactured and sold in the United States on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.
Are incandescent light bulbs banned in everything?
The DoE lists several exceptions to the incandescent light bulb ban. Additionally, you may continue to use the incandescent light bulbs that you already own. Exceptions listed by the DoE include:
- Appliance lamps
- Bug lamps
- Colored lamps
- G-shape lamps with a diameter of 5 inches or more
- General service fluorescent lamps
- High-intensity discharge lamps
Where to buy incandescent light bulb alternatives
LED light bulbs
Sylvania's ECO-LED light bulbs are energy-efficient, shatter-resistant, and long-lasting so you only have to swap them out about every seven years.
$11 at AmazonSmart light bulbs
Another type of light bulb to consider: smart bulbs. They offer color-changing, scheduling, geofencing, and they are compatible with smart hubs, so you can control them with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or with your phone. Philips Hue smart bulbs offer all these features and more, which is why they were crowned the best after rigorous testing.
$180 at AmazonCompact fluorescent light bulbs
CFLs are still being sold and manufactured for now, though they are less efficient than LED light bulbs, so buyers should take caution. SleekLighting offers inexpensive light bulbs that are more efficient than their incandescent counterparts, but you'll have to replace them about once a year.
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