That’s it Mr. Edison, your incandescents are on the way out.

MSNBC, Going Green: Consumers Not Yet Warming to New LIght Bulbs

Under federal law, incandescent bulbs are being phased out beginning next year when American manufacturers no longer will be allowed to make 100-watt bulbs. By Jan. 1, 2014, the only incandescents left on the market will be three-way bulbs, plant lights and appliance lamps – plus the final, old-school stragglers from 2013 assembly lines which could become pricey novelty items.

We have several of those on the right in an assortment of locations in our home. They definitely last and our primary expense is replacing the incandescentts.

Regular, LED’s and CFL’s

The CFL’s start dim and brighten up. We’ve had the same one over our kitchen sink now as well as the walk space into the bathroom for at least three years.

In fact, we bought a nine-bulb box that still has one left since we have preferred incandescents in the lamps where most burnouts occur.

“In their final months of retail life, incandescents still dominate market share, accounting for about 82 percent of sales, followed by compact fluorescent lamps, at 17 percent, and light-emitting diodes at about 1 percent, according to some estimates.”

So … why the new law?

Congress bans incandescent bulbs: Massive energy bill phases out Edison's invention by 2014 – World Net Daily, 12/2007

In addition to raising auto fuel efficiency standards 40 percent, an energy bill passed by Congress yesterday bans the incandescent light bulb by 2014.

President Bush signed the 822-page measure into law today after it was sent up Pennsylvania Avenue in a Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle. The House passed the bill by a 314-100 vote after approval by the Senate last week.

Rep. John D. Dingell, D-Mich., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said the legislation will boost the energy efficiency of "almost every significant product and tool and appliance that we use, from light bulbs to light trucks."

The phase-out of incandescent light is to begin with the 100-watt bulb in 2012 and end in 2014 with the 40-watt.

All light bulbs must use 25 percent to 30 percent less 2014. By 2020, bulbs must be 70 percent more efficient than they are today.

Australia was the first country to announce an outright ban by 2010.

So there you have it … we’re going mucho more greener at least in the new way we’ve found to replace the old way that replaced candle and gas lights in our homes.

… cept of course when disaster strikes and we are left with candle and kerosene.