Incandescent light bulbs have officially been phased out of the United States due to a new government restriction on their production and sale. The government initially addressed the problem of inefficient lighting for over 10 years before the ban.

The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act defined maximum power limitations for general-purpose lightbulbs, paving the way for this momentous advancement. Former President Donald Trump's "energy independence" policy, which sought to stop the "war on coal" and undo the Clean Power Plan that extended the 2007 regulation, postponed these limits.

The US Department of Energy announced the phase-out of inefficient lightbulbs in April 2022. Incandescent lightbulbs sale and manufacturing will be discontinued starting August 1, 2023.

Here's What You Need To Know

The new regulations prohibit 15-lumen incandescent lights and require 45-lumen bulbs. Most LED lights have 75 lumens per watt or more, saving energy.

According to a 2020 Energy Information Administration survey, US consumer behavior has changed as less than half of American homes utilize LED bulbs for indoor illumination.

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The Energy Department estimates that the incandescent bulb ban will save American customers $3 billion in energy and reduce carbon emissions by 222 million metric tons over 30 years, helping to combat global warming.

Leading this energy-saving revolution are LED lamps. Semiconductor technology immediately converts electricity into light, making them incredibly efficient. LEDs use 90% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Incandescent lamps heat about 95% of their energy. That explains why incandescent bulbs heat up.

Next to Be Banned: CFL Bulbs

Despite bipartisan backing, the incandescent bulb ban has proved controversial. Republican lawmakers and certain conservative media outlets have voiced disapproval. Former President Donald Trump even reversed an earlier extension of the light bulb requirement during his term.

According to future projections, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are the next item to be regulated. The US Department of Energy proposes phasing out CFL bulbs and doubling light bulb efficiency standards, targeted to take effect by the end of 2024.

As the United States embraces energy-efficient lighting, eliminating incandescent lightbulbs is a big step toward sustainability. 

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