New Federal Law Phases Out Traditional Light Bulbs

About 40,000 new policies have gone into effect for 2014. Most of the new laws are at state and local levels.

But one federal law could change the way your light your house. The federal government is now banning the production of all incandescent lightbulbs.

Lighting manufacturer Osram Sylvania released a survey Wednesday stating only 4 in 10 Americans are aware that both the 60W and 40W bulbs are phasing out.

Other lighting options like the compact fluorescent bulb (CFL), halogen, and LED (light emitting diode) reduce energy use up to 80 percent compared to the incandescent. Because these bulbs have a higher up-front cost, 30 percent of American consumers say they will stock up on the traditional bulbs, even though the alternatives offer cost savings over time.

The move is aimed at promoting more energy-efficient alternatives.