Compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are quickly replacing the old incandescent bulbs in most homes, offices and factories.

CFLs are the most popular because they are extremely efficient and also inexpensive. According to the U. S. Department of Energy, if every American home replaced just one regular light bulb with an ENERGY STAR CFL, we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars. CFLs have greatly improved over the past few years, and they now come in all shapes, sizes and wattages. However, the bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, so breakage and disposal are both problematic.

Many communities are turning to LED bulbs for interior use. Their light is in the same spectrum as daylight (and they are also available in many colors as well); they use only 2-10 watts of electricity; and they last up to 60,000 hours (that's about 41 years if you use them four hours a day). They generate almost no heat, turn on instantly, and focus light right where you need it. Yes, they're expensive ($30 to $60 each) but the savings in energy and replacement costs are significant.

Web Resources

The Energy Star web site has a page dedicated to commercial use of LED bulbs and fixtures.

The Environmental Defense Fund has an online bulb locator where you can specify the type of fixture you have, the shape, brightness and color you want, and the program will find the perfect energy efficient bulb for you.