If you're buying CFLs or considering LEDs, look for rebates from retailers and utilities and  at www.energystar.gov and www.dsireusa.org/incentives. And save your receipts in case there's a problem. Also keep in mind: Think about the fixture CFLs last longer and perform better if they're on for 15 minutes or more. That longevity makes them good for hard-to-reach fixtures. But they take time to reach full brightness, from about 30 seconds for spirals to roughly 2 minutes for recessed bulbs and 3 minutes for outdoor bulbs, so don't use them in staircases or other areas where you need instant...


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Lighting is a significant expense for many of us, and it also affects how we work, play and feel. The good news is that new advances in technology are providing more comfort, flexibility and efficiency. (1) $1 Invested in Efficient Lighting Pays Back $6 in Energy Savings The standard incandescent bulb -- what we typically think of as a "basic light bulb" -- is a pretty inefficient piece of technology, wasting 90 to 98% of its electrical use as heat rather than useful light. Much better are fluorescents, including the now-ubiquitous compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), which are roughly 75% more...


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