The document discusses the federal government's ban on incandescent light bulbs effective January 1, 2014 and the more energy efficient alternatives consumers will have to choose from. It describes the key characteristics of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), light emitting diodes (LEDs), and halogens. While CFLs and LEDs save energy, they have higher upfront costs. LEDs have longer lifespans than CFLs but performance in cold weather is still a concern. The author believes the ban was premature and that the LED industry needs more time to improve before incandescents are fully replaced.