Do you need a new floor lamp to brighten up your living room, or to replace one that recently broke? If so, you’re probably starting to think about what you want to purchase for the space. If you’ve had halogen floor lamps in the past that you’ve been happy with, you might be leaning towards getting another one of those. However, if you’ve been following the news and updated regulations, you might have heard that halogen bulbs are getting phased out.

So, can you still buy halogen floor lamps? If you’re ready to buy now, then yes, you should still be able to find some options on the market. However, you might want to start looking soon and make a quick decision because these models aren’t going to be available for much longer. Ahead, we’ll share some more information about why halogen floor lamps won’t be available in the near future and what you should start thinking about for your future lighting needs.

Thomas Edison’s invention of the lightbulb in 1879 was a major breakthrough. The first lightbulb — which was an incandescent bulb — truly revolutionized life for people all around the world. However, in the more than 140 years that have passed since the invention of the incandescent lightbulb, technology has continued to improve. Halogen bulbs represented an improvement over the original incandescent technology. They use halogen gas for an extended lifespan and improved efficiency.

However, while more efficient than incandescent bulbs, halogens are far from the most advanced and efficient options on the market today. For example, while a halogen bulb consumes an average of 90 watts, an LED bulb only consumes around 8 watts. Because of how inefficient halogens are compared to the different types of LED lightbulbs, the Department of Energy released federal requirements that have barred them from being produced. These requirements mandate that all new manufactured lightbulbs are required to let off more light energy than they consume, with a minimum of 45 lumens per watt, effectively making bulbs that do not meet these standards illegal to manufacture.

These legal requirements went into effect on August 1, 2023. So, since that date, no new halogen bulbs or floor lights have been made. Manufacturers and retailers were not required to destroy any bulbs and lamps that were already made, so it will not be illegal to purchase the few options still available. However, once these supplies are sold, you shouldn’t expect any new ones to become available.

If you’ve decided that a halogen floor lamp is the best choice for your space, you’ll want to start looking for one soon. Whatever supply retailers currently have is what will be available. This means that you should be prepared for the day when you won’t be able to purchase halogen lamps and you’ll need to choose an LED floor lamp instead. The good news is that there will still be plenty of attractive options available. The even better news is that opting for one of these models comes with a range of benefits.

As noted earlier, LED bulbs are sticking around while halogen ones are being phased out due to their energy efficiency. With a significantly lower energy consumption, your utility bills will be lower. LED lights are also one of the green upgrades you can do to keep your home sustainable. They are recyclable and are made without the use of harmful chemicals.

You’ll be helping more than the environment and your pocketbook. Once you make the switch to LED floor lamps, you may notice that the lighting in your room is improved. This is because LEDs can be set up to better disperse light (there is no need for a reflector, so more light reaches the intended target). Plus, many are dimmable, allowing you to customize the level of brightness based on your specific needs. A few additional benefits of LED lights, which will likely make the transition easier to accept, include the fact that they stay much cooler than halogens and offer a significantly longer lifespan.