America's Most Popular Lightbulbs Are Going Off The Market

By Chuck "Caveman" Coker on flickrSoon you won't have much of a choice than to buy energy-efficient lightbulbs - the government ban on the production of 40- and 60-watt incandescent bulbs has gone into effect for the new year.

These lightbulbs account for more than half of the lightbulbs purchased in the U.S., according to Sustainable Business. The government has already phased out 75- and 100-watt incandescent bulbs.

Retailers will still be selling the rest of their inventory of incandescent bulbs, but new bulbs will not be produced.

George W. Bush signed legislation for the ban in 2007. It's part of an effort to promote energy efficiency.

LED and CFL bulbs (the latter being the lightbulbs that have a spiral shape) are energy-efficient alternatives to incandescent lightbulbs, but they're known for casting a harsher light than the warm glow of incandescents.

The energy-efficient bulbs, however, save consumers money on their electric bulbs and typically last longer than incandescents.