Halogen lights have been sneaking onto the shelves of your local retailers for several years. Many look similar to "regular" light bulbs until you look at the price tag. After a new federal law takes effect in 1995, you'll be seeing a lot more halogens. The Federal Energy Policy Act of 1992 set minimum efficiency standards for light bulbs (technically called lamps). These standards will eliminate many less efficient lamps now on the market. Many familiar reflectors (parabolic aluminum reflectors, or PAR lamps) will disappear. Halogen products will fill the gaps. Tungsten halogen lamps offer several advantages: • They use 10% to 40% less energy than traditional incandescents. • The color is "whiter" and sharper. • They last longer, typically from 2,000
