Americans have used incandescent light bulbs since they became commercialized many moons ago. The small but mighty bulbs contain a wire filament that starts to glow when heated up. This produces the bright, incandescent lighting that we know and love today.

But not everyone has a love for the popular household product. In fact, the government is strictly banning their use. Starting August 1, you can no longer shop for incandescent light bulbs in the United States. Companies are also prohibited from manufacturing them, as well.

The Transition to Energy-Efficient Lighting

The news comes as a shock to many homeowners. However, according to research, many people have already made the switch to more energy-efficient products. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that a mere 15% of U.S. households used incandescent light bulbs in 2020, whereas nearly half used LED bulbs.

Trailing behind them are compact fluorescent light bulbs — or CFL, for short — at just 12%. But the Biden administration has its eyes on those, too, making plans to prohibit their use as well within the coming years.

The reason for the ban is simple: to conserve energy for the future. Incandescent light bulbs use up quite a lot of energy when compared to other light options. For example, the average incandescent bulb uses approximately 25 to 100 watts of electricity, whereas LED bulbs use only 2 to 18 watts.

And according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the ban should save consumers a whopping $3 billion in energy costs.

How To Make the Switch To More Energy-Efficient Lighting

If you’re part of the 15% of Americans who now have to find alternatives to incandescent lighting, consider using LED lights instead.

LED lights work by passing an electric current through a microchip, which then produces small sources of light commonly known as LEDs — or light-emitting diodes.

LED bulbs are a more sustainable option, as they use much less energy than incandescent bulbs. As a result, you can enjoy a brighter space at an affordable price. The U.S. Department of Energy states that swapping out incandescent bulbs in exchange for LEDs can save you an estimated $100 annually on your energy bill.