Reducing Energy Costs: Change a Light Bulb, Save Money, & Save the World???

The incandescent light bulb, one of the most venerable inventions of its era now deemed too inefficient for our own, will be phased off the U.S. market beginning in 2012 under the new energy law approved by Congress this past December. Edison’s light bulb will be replaced by compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb.

So what does all that mean to us? Well, from an economic standpoint, CFL bulbs are said to reduce household energy costs significantly-use this calculator from Energystar to see what you can save by switching to CFL bulbs. And it also significantly reduces greenhouse gases by reducing the amount of energy used-which in turn reduces the amount of energy pollution.

Sounds great right?? Well, there is one downside to these CFL lights, they contain mercury which is toxic, so these bulbs must be specially handled when broken as well as disposed of. Go here to learn about proper clean-up and disposal as the they can pose a threat to your health if broken or if they seep into our ground water.

You can also take the energystar Change a Light, Change the World Pledge here.

You will have to eventually use these, so I figure we may as well start now, save money and most importantly help the environment.

Have you already switched to CFL bulbs? Did you notice significant savings? Please tell me about it.