The landmark energy bill President George W. Bush signed into law recently will require lighting to use up to 30 percent less energy, which will basically phase out the traditional light bulb because it won’t be able to meet the new efficiency standards, Reuters reported.
Nearly 90 percent of the energy today’s incandescent light bulbs produce is heat, with only 10 percent giving off light. Energy-efficient fluorescent and halogen bulbs, which cost more (about $8 for a package of 6), are standing by to replace the traditional bulb.  However, the new bulbs last up to 10 times longer and will save consumers money on their electric bills, Reuters said.  The bulbs also aren’t as hot to the touch, as most of the energy they consume is turned into light.
The switchover will begin in 2012, and is expected to lower household utility bills by more than $18 billion per year, according to Reuters.
The efficient bulbs will also save enough electricity to have powered all the homes in Texas last year, and they will prevent 100 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions at power plants, to the Alliance to Save Energy, Reuters said.
The new energy law’s higher efficiency requirements will effect the 100-watt bulb first, followed by the 75-watt bulb a year later and then 40- and 60-watt bulbs will be phased out in 2014.
Australia, Ireland and other countries are already getting rid of the incandescent bulb.
About two dozen categories of light bulbs are exempt from the U.S. law’s efficiency requirements, including oven and refrigerator bulbs, candelabra lamps, plant lights, replacement traffic signal bulbs and the yellow bulb that doesn’t attract insects, Reuters said.