Mass Energy Consumers Alliance

Mass Energy Consumers Alliance: "Most lighting in U.S. homes is produced by inefficient incandescent light bulbs or moderately efficient fluorescents. A switch from incandescents to compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs can result in up to a 75% decrease in energy use. A typical CFL will save over $50 in replacement bulb and electricity costs over its lifetime. The best targets for conversion to CFLs are 60-100W bulbs used several hours a day. In addition, CFLs eliminate the cost of buying and installing at least a dozen ordinary bulbs. CFL bulbs now come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes making it possible to replace almost any incandescent bulb. Some newer CFLs are also capable of producing a warmer light which is closer to the light produced by incandescents than that produced by some earlier CFLs. Each CFL can prevent the emission of between 1,000-2,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, and between 8-16 lbs. of sulfur dioxide (the cause of acid rain). CFLs run cooler than incandescents and halogens, minimizing fire hazards and reducing the cost of cooling in summer. CFLs also last up to seven years, which saves you the expense and hassle of frequent light bulb replacements"