In an effort to reduce the country's carbon footprint, standard 40 and 60 watt incandescent light bulbs are no longer being produced as of the new year.
New standards have been put in place for light bulbs, which make the traditional bulbs obsolete. Technologies in LED, halogens and compact fluorescent bulbs are more eco-friendly with the potential to use 85 percent less energy, according to Kevin Schiller with the Home Depot.
The newer bulbs could cost consumers more at the register, but have the potential to save Americans billions throughout the years, according to the department of energy.
According to Schiller:
- LED bulbs can last up to 25 years and will pay for themselves in two years.
- Compact fluorescent bulbs can last 8-9 years and will pay for themselves in 3-6 months.
- Incandescent bulbs may last 1-7 years.
Incandescent bulbs emit heat which sucks up a lot of energy, whereas the newer bulbs do not, according to Schiller.
"We can save some money every single month our electric bills come out, saving energy is a nice way to do it, plus it’s a lot more eco-concious," Schiller said. "It’s less pollution the way we produce the energy around this area."
Some parents like that they don't have to worry about their children getting burned by the energy-efficient bulbs.
"We have a lot of lamps and nightlights and things like that in their rooms, so it gets them a little too close to touching them," said Lindsay Broshears, mother of three. "We’ve been able to switch so that they stay away from the danger, it’s just not as scary."
Broshears said her family has already been phasing out traditional light bulbs for the energy-efficient ones.
Some of the newer bulbs contain mercury. Schiller said the amount of mercury in the bulbs is the same as the amount on the top of a ballpoint pen.
The 2010 Census shows Northwest Arkansas to be in the top 50 markets for energy-efficient light bulbs.