It is just five months until the first phase of the federal act requiring the use of more energy efficient light bulbs goes into effect. But before you run to stock up on old bulbs, remember we're not on the brink of an incandescent apocalypse.
Congress passed legislation in 2007 to gradually phase out high wattage incandescent bulbs by 2014. However, contrary to popular belief, the law doesn't ban incandescent bulbs. In fact, there are some halogen incandescent and light-emitting diodes (LED) bulbs that will be.
Hansie Haier, a Charlottesville shopper said, "I think there are so many things we waste our money on, and this is one of the things we can actually invest our money in and see a return."
The Paramount Theater has adopted new lighting, replacing the lights on its marquee with energy saving bulbs. They've cut power consumption by 70 percent, and the bulbs will last much longer.
If you're still worried about the initial higher cost of switching over to new bulbs, there are rebates available from groups like the Local Energy Alliance Program to help you reduce your home's energy use.
