No. Incandescent bulbs are being "modernized" and required to meet minimum federal efficiency standards – phased in over the next several years.

Simply continue to make use of them, and when they burn out or you’re ready for a new lighting solution, visit your local lighting retailer to discover new, efficient ways of lighting your home.

As with most consumer appliances, electronics, and even vehicle mileage ratings – the federal government is now enacting standards for lighting products to help American consumers save energy and save money with their utility expenses.

These efforts have been in the works since Congress and the President enacted this legislation in 2007 (The Energy Independence and Security Act). Though, manufacturers have been working towards developing more energy-efficient light bulbs (incandescent, fluorescent, and LED) for years now.

New generation, efficient incandescent bulbs will be almost twice as efficient as what you’ve been used to. That means, at least initially, manufacturers will be charging more to help recoup their development and production costs.

A reduction in bulb wattage or power will lower the lumen output, but not light quality and appearance.

The new packages show a nutrition fact style label to help consumers understand the energy use involved with a particular product. This new packaging showcases lumens and watts as a measurement.

A lumen is a measure of light-output, for example a common 60 watt incandescent bulb produces about 800 lumens. Watts are a measure of how much electricity/energy you are using to power the bulb.

Not likely. The majority of today's energy-efficient bulbs are manufactured overseas, although there are several new plants being constructed in the US by major manufacturers.

Efficient incandescent bulbs will be upwards of twice the efficiency; LED bulbs are 80% more efficient than current incandescent; and compact fluorescent bulbs are 70 to 80% more efficient than existing bulbs.

Positive impacts. The Federal lighting standards will, over time, greatly reduce the impact on our shared natural resources – as well as saving utility customers money on what it costs to light their homes.