Rants of A Coyote

Starting in 2012, we will start seeing a decrease in stores carrying incandescent light bulbs, pushing the use of alternative lighting means.

More correctly, a lightbulb will have to meet certain energy-to-lumen requirements in order to be on the shelves at stores.

What does this mean? Most incandescent lightbulbs will be gone from stores. Of course there will be special cases as listed on Energy Star's Support Site. Most people will probably end up purchasing CFL's because of their low upfront cost.

Some people however will probably either stock up on incandescent light bulbs or purchase the more upfront expensive LED lighting. There are many arguments about CFL light bulbs, from high manufacturing costs, "high" mercury content, headaches and seizures. Current CFL's that have been properly made however, do not cause the headaches that were commonly associated with older florescent lighting.

Some people have complained that there is an even greater downside to this call to action.  one of the common arguments is that people will end up spending more to heat their place during the winter if they eventually will not be able to get incandescent bulbs.

However most people recognize and know that incandescent light bulbs are a very ineffective form of heat and light. Most light bulbs also do not make great heaters because they are usually installed near ceilings, alright too high for people to benefit from significantly.

IKEA, the Swedish based home furnishing store, pulled incandescent bulbs from their shelves back in August 2011.

"Eliminating incandescents is just one simple way for IKEA customers to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases," Mike Ward, U.S. IKEA president.-Source-