By Hadas Kuznits

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A new law now in effect prohibits light bulb manufacturers from producing traditional incandescent 75-watt light bulbs.

(One-hundred watt bulbs were outlawed last year, and the ban will extend to 60-watt, then 40-watt bulbs, later.)

What does this mean for consumers?

Lance Haver, director of consumer affairs for the City of Philadelphia, says new regulations passed by Congress requiring energy-efficient bulbs could cause people to hoard those old, 75-watt incandescent bulbs.

“There will certainly be people who will go out and buy them and save them up,” Haver tells KYW Newsradio.  “However, for most people, that will be a mistake.  Unfortunately, many people have not looked at all the alternatives, whether it’s an LED light bulb or a halogen light bulb or a flourescent light bulb.  There are many viable options, and they just have to shop and try different light bulbs and find the quality of light that they like.”

Haver says incandescent bulbs burn out faster and cost more over the long haul.

“Old light bulbs waste heat,” he says.  “Anyone who’s tried to touch a light bulb that’s been on for a while knows how hot it gets.”

And he says manufacturers are working to create a variety of energy-efficient lights that produce different light qualities.