As 2013 comes, Americans say goodbye to 75-watt incandescent light bulbs. Under federal law, 75-watt bulbs can no longer be produced or imported as of January 1st, though retailers can still clear remaining stock. And traditional 60 and 40 watt bulbs will be phased out in 2014.

The future is dim for incandescent bulbs. And currently, two options for consumers are Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and LEDs. LED bulbs are expensive, but prices are dropping.

When replacing a bulb, the experts at Consumer Reports say to choose a new one that's the same size or smaller to be sure it fits the fixture. Dimmers require dimmable bulbs and lights used outdoors must be designed for exterior use. Be sure to check the bulb package for specific details.