Nov 10, 2008 9:35 pm US/Central
CFL Bulbs Shine A Light On Savings
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Compact flourescent light bulbs can save you money -- and they can be found at bargain prices.
CBS
The easiest way to save energy at home is to switch to compact fluorescent bulbs.
CFLs are more expensive than regular ones, but now you can get them at a big discount. You can save energy and stretch your dollar, CBS 2's Rob Johnson reports.
Visit your hardware store and you'll find compact fluorescents selling from 30 percent to 50 percent off.
"The regular spirals you can find for as low as a buck apiece," ComEd's Tim Melloch says.
He says CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than standard ones. He used a meter to prove incandescent bulbs use more energy than the spiral CFL.
Replacing just one frequently used bulb in your house with a CFL can add up in savings.
"It's probably about a $6 or $7 reduction in your electric bill per year," Melloch says.
Over the life of the bulb, the energy savings can amount to $40 or more.
And the bulbs come in many different shapes now.
But some people are still unconvinced, saying CFL light is too white and cold. Melloch says not anymore; the bulbs are much improved.
"They tend to look a lot more like their incandescent equivalents, but they use a lot less energy," he says.
CFLs last about 10 times longer than standard bulbs. So that's another way you will save.
For a list of the 500 stores where the bulbs are being discounted, click
here.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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