Incandescent lightbulb ban: What to know about the new policy

FILE - Manager Nick Reynoza holds a 100-watt incandescent light bulb at Royal Lighting in Los Angeles, Jan. 21, 2011. New federal rules governing the energy efficiency of lighting systems went into full effect Tuesday, effectively ending the sale and manufacture of bulbs that trace their origin to an 1880 Thomas Edison patent. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)AP

The foreboding ban on incandescent lightbulbs is now a reality.

The Department of Energy banned the sale of incandescent lightbulbs in stores starting Tuesday, August 1.

From then on, Americans will only be able to purchase light-emitting diode, or LED bulbs.

Department of Energy requirements state that manufacturers must make and sell the LED bulbs in place of the incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs use less electricity and last 25-50 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

However, the ban does not prohibit people from using incandescent bulbs they already own.

Once this switchover is complete, the Energy Department estimates that consumers will save $3 billion per year on utilities.

But the initial cost of an LED lightbulb will be higher in the short term.

On average, an LED light bulb costs between $5 and $7 each while incandescent light bulbs sold for about $2 each.

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