The DOE’s New Lighting Rule Is Now in Effect — Here’s What That Means for CFLs, Incandescents, and Older LEDs
First It Was Fluorescents — Now What?
The fluorescent phase-out caught a lot of people off guard — bulbs that were everywhere one day suddenly weren’t available the next. Now, another major shift is on the horizon.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has new lighting rules that are banning even more bulbs since the start of 2025 — and this time, it affects some of the most commonly used lighting in homes, businesses, and job sites.
If you use CFLs, incandescent bulbs, or older-model LEDs, here’s what you need to know.
What Exactly Is the DOE Changing?
In December 2022, the DOE proposed a rule that would dramatically raise the minimum efficiency standard for general service lamps (GSLs). GSLs include standard A19s, flood lights, PARs, reflectors, and other common screw-in bulbs.
Right now, the required efficiency is 45 lumens per watt (lm/W). Under the new proposal, that number would jump to over 120 lm/W — a 2.5x increase.
What this means in plain terms:
Any bulb that doesn’t meet the 120+ lm/W requirement will no longer be manufactured or sold since the rule taking effect.
That includes:
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
Incandescent and halogen bulbs
Some popular older LED models that don’t hit the new efficiency mark
Are There Any Exceptions?
Yes. Not every type of bulb is covered under this rule. The following are not affected:
Colored lamps (like holiday or signage bulbs)
Black light lamps
Appliance lamps (like fridge or oven bulbs)
Some decorative and specialty bulbs
Still, if you rely on standard household or commercial-use bulbs, this rule could limit your options quickly.
Why Is the DOE Doing This?
The goal behind the change is to reduce national energy use, cut carbon emissions, and lower electric bills ("Over 30 years, DOE projects these updated standards will save Americans more than $27 billion on their utility bills.") by requiring better-performing lighting across the board. In other words, the DOE wants to push the entire lighting market toward high-efficiency LEDs — and eliminate anything that doesn’t meet the new threshold.
At Daystar, we support making energy-efficient choices. But we also believe those changes should come with transparency and planning — especially when they affect contractors, maintenance crews, and small businesses that rely on specific lighting types for daily work.
How It Might Affect You
You don’t need to be an energy policy expert to feel the impact of this rule. If you:
Stock CFLs, halogens, or older LED models for jobs or inventory
Use a particular bulb style in your facility, church, shop, or warehouse
Rely on consistent lighting for code compliance, safety, or day-to-day tasks
…then this change could mean scrambling to find replacements when your go-to bulb disappears from shelves.
What You Can Do Right Now
1. Know what you’re using.
If you're still running CFLs, halogens, or low-efficiency LEDs, now’s the time to look at what you’ve got — and what might be affected.
2. Talk to a lighting professional at Daystar.
We can help you identify compliant replacements that match your current performance and budget — and make sure you don’t get stuck with poor-quality imports that barely meet the minimum.
3. Stock up on what matters.
If you’ve got a bulb you rely on and it’s getting phased out, you may want to grab a few cases before they’re gone.
4. Upgrade smart — not fast.
Don’t just buy whatever says “120 lm/W” on the label. We vet every brand we carry, and we’ll make sure you're getting real value and long-term reliability.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t just about regulation — it’s about being prepared. Whether you’re a contractor, facility manager, or just someone who wants to keep their space well lit, the lighting landscape is shifting again.
At Daystar Distributing, we’re here to help you make sense of it all. We’ve seen this before, and we know how to help you stay compliant without sacrificing performance or reliability.
Got questions? Need help choosing replacements?
Call us or stop by — we’re happy to walk you through what’s changing and make sure you get exactly what you need, no guesswork required.
For further reading:
The 2025 Fluorescent Ban by Daystar Distributing
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