| Lightbulbs are synonymous with bright ideas – in cartoons, at any rate. But compact fluorescent bulbs can also be a small, yet brilliant, step toward energy efficiency. The Department of Energy says they use two-thirds less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 10 times longer. Why buy? Compact fluorescent bulbs (also known as CFLs) are available in different sizes and shapes – including mini-spiral, spiral and A-line – that fit almost any fixture. On average, each bulb can save more than $30 in electricity costs over its lifetime and prevent more than 450 pounds of greenhouse-gas emissions. CFLs and fixtures that use them that have earned the EPA's Energy Star rating produce about 70 percent less heat, so they're safer to use and can help cut energy costs associated with home cooling. (Consider that a halogen bulb in a torchiere lamp is 700 to 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit.) How to choose the right bulb or fixture? Look for one that offers the same lumen rating as the light you're replacing. Manufacturers often label these products in terms of watt replacement, which can also guide your decision-making. Energy-efficient lighting will provide the same or more light while using fewer watts. Dimmers enable you to set the mood with a range of light output, but check the bulb or fixture's packaging first, to be sure it will perform well on a dimmer. On average, a CFL costs $3 more than a comparable incandescent bulb, but that's not how the government measures the difference. For the biggest energy savings, replace incandescents or halogens with CFLs in the rooms you spend the most time in, such as your family and living rooms, kitchen and porch. Place the bulbs in open fixtures that allow air flow. CFLs contain very small amounts of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 5 milligrams, roughly equival
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