Q:
UnleBob Writes: I’ve thought about switching to CFLs, but I don’t know what bulbs to get. When I get bulbs now, I just go to grab the first 60 watt bulb I can find. I know if I were to buy a 60 watt CFL, it would probably be twice as bright as the sun. How do I know what wattage to get with a CFL?

A: Thanks for the comment UncleBob. That’s great that you’re considering switching to CFLs. The conversion is pretty simple. A compact florescent bulb uses about one-quarter the energy an incandescent bulb uses to produce the same amount of light. For example, to replace a traditional 60-watt bulb, look for a CF bulb in the 15-watt range.

I hope you’ll consider making the switch. Really, there’s no reason not to. Yes, energy-saving light bulbs are more expensive than conventional bulbs, but you’ll save money in the long run. Within a matter of months your electricity bill savings will surpass the original cost of the bulb. Energy-saving bulbs last years longer, so you won’t have to buy, re-buy, and buy bulbs again. Above all, the quality of the light is exactly the same, if not better than a conventional light bulb.

Despite the pros many of us shy away from purchasing energy-saving bulbs because—well, quite simply—we fear they won’t fit in our lighting fixtures. Au contraire . . . energy-saving light bulbs come in all shapes and sizes to fit a range of fixtures, lamps, and lighting configurations—not to mention your personal mood preferences.

If you’re like me, then you prefer to decorate with antiques (ahem, junk from the thrift store) and unusual furnishings (ahem, my mother’s hand me downs). I thought it would be a challenge to find energy-saving bulbs to fit my mixed bag of rare fixtures, but I found plenty of options to fit a range of lamps and mood swings. Hope you find what you’re looking for UncleBob and please check back again with questions or comments on your new CFLs.

Posted on September 19th, 2007 by Olivia Zaleski