Starting next week, an official ban on incandescent lightbulbs will be enforced across the nation, limiting Americans to purchase only LED lights from retailers.

As of Tuesday, while owning incandescent light bulbs will remain legal, selling them in stores and manufacturing them will be prohibited.

The federal government has been issuing warnings since January to ensure a smooth transition and emphasize the benefits of LED lights, which consume 75% less energy and last 25 times longer, potentially saving families about $100 per year.

Despite the Department of Energy’s claim that discontinuing inefficient incandescent lights could save Americans nearly $3 billion yearly and significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions over 30 years, some critics argue that this ban constitutes government overreach. They believe that consumers should have the freedom to decide which light bulbs to use in their homes.

A recent House subcommittee hearing titled “Canceling Consumer Choice: Examining the Biden administration’s regulatory assault on American’s home appliances” addressed these concerns. The discussion also touched on gas stoves, with the House passing a bill to prohibit banning them, although the Consumer Product Safety Commission is not currently considering such a ban.

Manufacturers found violating the incandescent lightbulb ban could face penalties of up to $542 per illicit bulb.

Source: The Hill