In the market for new light bulbs? You may be out of luck if you are looking for traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs. As of August 1, retailers are prohibited from selling these types of bulbs in order to comply with new energy efficiency standards set by the Department of Energy.

These standards are meant to encourage the use of more energy-efficient products, such as LED light bulbs, which can reduce carbon emissions and help customers save energy and money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the best LED light bulbs can last up to 50 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs (50,000 hours versus 1,000 hours) while using a fraction of the electricity

DOE estimates that Americans will collectively save $3 billion a year on their electric bills after incandescent bulbs are phased out. Lights such as LEDs give off very little heat, which means they waste less energy than incandescent bulbs, which release about 90 percent of their energy as heat

Here’s what you need to know about replacing traditional bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs, such as compact fluorescents or LEDs:

• Pay attention to the lumens of LED lights, not the watts (W), if you are happy with the type and current amount of light given off by traditional incandescent bulbs. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light. A 100-W incandescent bulb can be replaced by an LED bulb that has about 1600-1800 lumens. Visit DOE’s website for more information.
• Some—but not all—compact fluorescent and LED bulbs can be used with existing dimmer switches. Check the package to make sure they are dimmable. Consider using dimmable LED or compact fluorescent bulbs, if possible. 
• Check your local energy company’s website for light bulb efficiency rebate programs or “point of sale” discounts at your favorite retailer.
• Be sure to look for the ENERGY STAR certification on the light bulb package to ensure you’re buying a high-quality, energy-efficient bulb.
• Visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s website to learn how to properly recycle old incandescent bulbs.

To learn more about energy efficiency, including best practices to maximize the use of efficient lighting in your home, read EEI’s booklet: More Than 100 Ways to Improve Your Electric Bill.