The battle of the bulb.

• Position: TRENDS AND TRANSITIONS - Brief article

Lighting consumes more than 15 percent of all the electricity we use at home. That's why the inefficient incandescent light bulb is under attack. About 90 percent of the total power it consumes is wasted as heat instead of light.

The federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires Americans to switch to more efficient light bulbs by 2012. Specifically, 100 watt bulbs will need to be 30 percent more efficient by Jan. 1, 2012, followed by 75 watt bulbs the following year, and 40 and 60 watt bulbs in 2014. The lower wattage bulbs will use approximately 30 percent less energy than the old ones and will shine for at least 1,000 hours. We'll be changing light bulbs less frequently, lowering energy costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well.

The law does not ban incandescent bulbs, nor does it require people to buy only spiral compact fluorescent bulbs. New incandescent halogen bulbs will be available when the law goes...