The federal ban (which mandates a minimum of ) excludes several types of bulbs that rely on heat or specialized designs:
: Infrared bulbs used for brooding animals or keeping food warm.
: Local shops may still have "New Old Stock" (NOS) on shelves until their inventory is completely exhausted. Exemptions (What You Can Still Buy) can you buy incandescent light bulbs
: Retailers like 1000Bulbs.com and Bulbs.com carry a wide range of task-specific incandescent options.
While you cannot buy standard incandescent bulbs for general home lighting due to energy efficiency bans, you can still legally purchase for specific tasks. Where to Buy Them The federal ban (which mandates a minimum of
: Plant "grow" lights, black lights, bug lights, and heavy-duty "rough service" bulbs.
Standard "General Service Lamps" (GSLs) were phased out because they are highly inefficient, wasting roughly rather than light. By 2028, efficiency standards in the U.S. are scheduled to increase further to 125 lumens per watt , focusing the market almost entirely on high-efficiency LEDs. While you cannot buy standard incandescent bulbs for
If you let me know (e.g., a specific vintage lamp, an oven, or a reptile habitat), I can help you find the exact model or a compatible LED alternative.