THE SKINNY ON LIGHTBULBS

We all want a bulb that provides what we need--light--while saving what we don't want to spend--energy.

Natural Home Magazine has an article with "The Lighting Lowdown" to help you in your quest.

The skinny?

*Incandescents are way, way out.  They may be cheap, buy they generate heat, don't last long, and are major energy offenders.

*CFLs are way, way in. They cost more, but they burn longer, don't waste heat, and can be recycled when no longer lighting the way. A Litetronics Micro-Brite cold-cathode CFL----used mostly for outdoor lighting--will last 25,000 hours. (Yes, they do contain small amounts of mercury, so be careful if one happens to break and take yours to a recycler who knows how to dispose of it properly.) Home Depot, Ikea, and True Value all recycle CFLs for free.

*LEDs are the wave of the future.  Currently, they cost a pretty penny, but last way, way longer than any other bulb.  Some LEDs can log 60,000 hours of brightness.

And don't forget your dimmer switches!