LED light bulbs are efficient, long-lasting, and bright, but it can be hard to determine which popular retailer will give you ...

The standards banned bulbs that produced fewer than 45 lumens, a measure of light, per watt, a unit of power. Compact fluorescent bulbs were invented in 1976.

The standards banned bulbs that produced fewer than 45 lumens, a measure of light, per watt, a unit of power. Compact fluorescent bulbs were invented in 1976.

That's because traditional incandescent bulbs provide just 15 lumens per watt, according to light bulb manufacturer Philips. By contrast, most LED bulbs will get you 75 lumens per watt, or more.

The Dept. of Energy's ban on the sale and manufacture of most incandescent light bulbs took effect on Wednesday more than a decade and a half after such a ban was first proposed.

"Your old big Victorians. 200-year-old houses. They're changing the whole setup inside. In the long run with the longevity of the bulb, it's very cost efficient," said Smith.