As of Tuesday, California entered the last phase of a program designed to improve the energy-efficiency standard of light bulbs.
The process started with standards outlined in the federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
California implemented the program one year ahead of the rest of the nation, starting with traditional 100-watt bulbs. Those manufactured on or after Jan. 1, 2011, had to use 28 percent less energy than a traditional 100-watt incandescent light bulb. New bulbs – including halogen, compact fluorescent or light-emitting diode bulbs – could not use more than 72 watts.
The cost savings in 2011 was estimated at $35.6 million.
On Jan. 1, 2012, the standard went into effect on traditional 75-watt bulbs (new bulbs could have a maximum 53 watts).
Effective Tuesday, the standard went into effect statewide for traditional 60-watt bulbs (43 watts is the new standard) and 40-watt bulbs (29 watts is the new standard).
Learn more at www.energy.ca.gov/lightbulbs.
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