Energy Efficiency—
It’s the Law

Don’t be shattered by a broken CFL, but do be careful— follow our disposal tips (p. 55).

Thanks to new energy legislation

passed last December, by 2012

all light bulbs that emit 1,600

lumens may use no more than 72

watts, 25 percent less than today’s

100-watt incandescents. By 2014,

the same energy reduction will

extend to 40-, 60- and 75-watt

bulbs, and in 2020, all new bulbs

must be 70 percent more efficient.

Though GE is working on an

incandescent that will meet the

new requirements, the current crop

of filament bulbs will be phased out