Ikea to start phasing out incandescent light bulbs

PHILADELPHIA — Home furnishings retailer Ikea plans to start pulling incandescent light bulbs from its U.S. stores starting in August.

Ikea says that it hopes to have all incandescent bulbs out of its U.S. stores by Jan. 1, in favor of other longer-lasting bulbs.

That's ahead of federal legislation that calls for a phaseout beginning in 2012.

Ikea, a Swedish retailer with U.S. headquarters in Conshohocken, Pa., says customers will have more efficient options including compact fluorescent bulbs, LED and halogen lamps.

The company says the voluntary phaseout is one of its environmental initiatives aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Ikea has more than 300 stores in 37 countries, including 37 in the U.S.