With advent of 2014, lights go out on incandescent bulb

TACOMA, Wash. — Thomas Edison’s first public demonstration of the incandescent light bulb happened 134 years ago Tuesday.

But last Wednesday, the lights dimmed for the incandescent because of federal energy efficiency standards approved in 2007.

As of Jan. 1, companies no longer can import or make 60- and 40-watt incandescent light bulbs — the most popular bulb for indoor lighting. Instead, LED (light-emitting diode) and CFL (compact fluorescent) will replace incandescents as the dominant home fixture.

The new light bulbs reduce energy use and save consumers money. Experts say 90 percent of the electricity used by traditional incandescent light bulbs is radiated in the form of heat, rather than light.