Recently we've been shopping for light fixtures, and have noticed a dramatic increase in non-standard bulbs. CFLs in particular seem to be drifting away from the common threaded base, in favor of 2-post snap in bulbs.
I know there are efforts underway to remove incandescent bulbs from shelves, and I don't necessarily disagree with this. But I'm worried about having to find or keep on hand hundreds of different types of bulbs for my light fixtures rather than a consistent size and base.
So… Is the standard base becoming a thing of the past? Is a new standard clear on the horizon, yet? Should I try to stick with screw-base fixtures, or is diversity likely to be okay in the long run?
Best Answer
As of 2017, regulatory changes in the United States have obsoleted most of the answers here (and elsewhere on the Internet).
Short answer: Edison screw-type bases aren't going away.
The US Department of Energy no longer considers lamp base when certifying Energy Star luminaires and lamps. Lamp base can even be changed without having to re-certify the product.
The California Energy Commission mostly nullified its prohibition on incandescent lamp usage. Title 24 still requires "high efficacy luminaires" on new construction, but the definition expanded from luminaires that can only use fluorescent/LED lamps to luminaires that could use fluorescent/LED lamps. Notice that most luminaires include a free CFL; this lamp is necessary for the luminaire to meet the definition of high efficacy. The fact that the CFL can be swapped out for an incandescent lamp is now irrelevant.
The slightly smaller dimensions and quicker twist-lock insertion/removal of pin bases isn't enough to overcome the ubiquity of Edison bases. That's why GU24 bases are rarely found outside of specialty lighting stores. It's not uncommon for a luminaire with a GU24 base to be priced $20 more than the E26 variant.