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An easy, yet effective way to lower your electric bill and to cut your household greenhouse gas emissions is to change the light bulbs. Conventional incandescent bulbs are far from efficient, using about 90 percent of their energy to create heat, not light. The more eco-friendly alternatives, compact fluorescent lights or CFLs and light emitting diodes, or LEDs, will save you money on your energy bill. They also last much longer than the traditional, energy-wasting lights.

CFL bulbs use a fraction of the energy of incandescent bulbs, while lasting ten times longer. They emit a soft, warm light and can be found as spiral bulbs, globe lamps or flood lights. CFLs do contain a small amount of mercury. Be sure to dispose of used bulbs properly by wrapping in plastic or participating in a local recycling program. LED bulbs tend to emit a cooler light. They are even more energy efficient than CFL bulbs, although they do cost more upfront.

Making the switch to more energy efficient lighting is one of the easiest ways to live a greener lifestyle. Simply replace all the lamps and light fixtures throughout your home with a CFL or LED bulb. A 75 watt incandescent bulb has a comparable light output to an 18 watt CFL bulb and a 9 watt LED bulb.