We have gone by several deadlines for energy-saving light bulb regulations. 

Starting with the 40w, 60w, 75w, and 100w incandescent bulbs we grew up with, we have now completely transitioned to LED bulbs with confusing wattages and even color presentations.   We knew what a 60w bulb was, but who knows what a 13w bulb is? 

Lumens and color temperatures can guide you.  Compare these values with those of bulbs already in your home to give you an idea of how a new bulb might perform.   Lumens can vary based on the bulb design and electronics.  Technology is changing rapidly.  We believe that an LED bulb manufactured in 2023 is superior to one manufactured in 2020. 

Without going into much detail, here are general comments we make to customers every day.  Maybe there is an answer to a question you might have.

Incandescent 3-way lamp bulbs are gone.  Well, not quite.  The 30-70-100w and 50-100-150w soft white bulbs we've sold since 1960 are gone, but there there are several LED substitutes.  The remaining incandescent 3-way bulbs we have are 20-200-250w medium (regular base) and a 100/200/300w mogul (large) base.  The regulations permitted incandescent bulbs for special purposes, and these two bulbs must come under this exemption.

200w clear and soft white incandescent.  300w soft white. These are still available. 

15w and 25w soft white medium base incandescent bulbs.  These are still available.  These meet the lumens to watts requirements.

15w and 25w candelabra bulbs in torpedo, round, and flame shapes for chandeliers and decorative light fixtures are still available.  We have at least one 40w candelabra base torpedo bulb that appears to be legal.  The 60w are long gone. There are lots of LED options available, but the appearance might be different from what you are accustomed to.

All the curly compact fluorescent bulbs in all their variations are gone. 

The "curly-que" compact fluorescent bulbs with two pins on the bottom know as the  mini-twist GU24 base are gone.  We have LED bubs to replace this.

Many 4ft fluorescent bulbs seem to have disappeared from our competitors, but there are some still permitted.  We have them. 

4ft bulbs can be T12 (1-1/4"), T8 (1").  We still stock some permitted fluorescent tubes.  There are several LED substitutes for four foot fluorescent fixtures. 

8ft fluorescent bulbs.  We stock a few of the single pin and the high output clip pin.  These are mainly commercial bulbs and your utility may have programs to replace the fixtures, especially where larger numbers of fixtures are involved.

8, 12, and 16" fluorescent Circline bulbs.  We still stock these.  The fixtures themselves have aged out.  It may be better to replace the fixtures.

Small fluorescent tubes with plastic bases.  These fit early generations of energy saving light fixtures.  We still stock a number of them, but this category is diminishing quickly.

LED bulbs can be thrown into the trash as of 2023.  Mercury-containing bulbs such as fluorescents must go to recycling.   Incandescent bulbs can be disposed of in the trash.

The silver aluminum screw-in light bulb bases in the candelabra, medium, and mogul base sizes were standardized in the lighting industry over a hundred years ago.  They still dominate, but their use will diminish over time. Contemporary light fixtures can come with pre-installed LED lighting elements with no replacement provisions.

40w incandescent appliance bulbs for stoves and refrigerators are still available, but LED replacements are often used instead. 

Small indicator, vacuum cleaner, appliance, night light, and special purpose bulbs with limited applications are still available, but can also have LED replacements.

Short fluorescent bulbs with odd lengths like F20T12CW/33 , 28, 30, and 33 have been discontinued by General Electric.  These can be found on the internet.  The fixtures they were used in, medicine cabinets, stoves, Coca Cola machines, and the like, have often aged out and have broken ballasts (transformers) and bulb holders.   See an electrician to restore antique lighting installations.

LED lights can be various color temperatures.  The light can vary from dawn or dusk light to noon day sunlight.   You will not know until you try a bulb in your fixture.   We think we have five different color temperatures in our assortment, but the main colors are soft white and day light.  Please come to the store to see what we have available.

Bill Round 8.3.2023 from General Electric, True Value, and other sources.