A common household item is on the way out.
The government's new rules phasing out 75-watt incandescent light bulbs go into effect January 1st. Retailers can sell leftover bulbs as long as they weren't made or imported after the deadline. Production of 100-watt bulbs stopped this year.
It's all part of new energy efficiency and labeling standards, and is meant to lead customers to other options like compact fluorescent lights.
John Rex Smith, with Sutherland's Home Improvement, says it's a trade-off some find inconvenient.
"Lamp fixtures and living room, dining room lighting, it's a good application. Lights are on for fifteen minutes, they have plenty of time to warm up and get to their fullest brightness," Smith said. "The downside is in smaller applications such as in the pantry or in the bathroom when you're only in there five minutes or less."
He said LED's cost more up-front than CFL bulbs, but they don't require warm-up time and they have a longer life span.
