The best...lightbulbs of the future
These selections will prepare you for the tougher federal energy standards coming in January.
Sylvania SuperSaver
January’s tougher federal energy standards won’t outlaw this new 72-watt incandescent halogen bulb, which is as bright as a traditional 100-watter and only “slightly whiter.” It’s dimmable, too.
$6 for two, sears.com
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Source: The New York Times
Philips AmbientLED 17W
The first LED bulb on the market that’s bright enough to replace a 75-watt incandescent. It’ll last 25 times longer, and the light quality is such that “if you don’t tell people, they don’t know it’s an LED.”
$40, homedepot.com
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Source: TreeHugger.com
GE Energy Smart 13W
The “soft-white light” of this 60-watt equivalent is the “best we’ve experienced” from a compact fluorescent. Like most CFLs, it cuts energy use dramatically but contains traces of mercury.
$8 for eight, amazon.com
Source: Wired
Switch75 Warm White
The light from this amazing LED bulb looks exactly like an incandescent’s. It may be “the world’s greatest lightbulb,” and it will soon be available for preorder.
$30–$40, switchlightbulbs.com
Source: Slate.com
GE Soft White 50-100-150
Haters of government and efficiency won’t have to give up the traditional “three-way.” As a “specialty bulb,” this incandescent is exempt from January’s ban.
$4, staples.com
Source: The New York Times
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