Let There Be Light

ENLARGE PHOTO+

Once derided for their harsh glow and odd shape, CFLS now come in a range of designs and lighting styles.

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[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine.]

INCANDESCENT BULB VS. COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHTBULBS (CFL)

Power use

INCANDESCENT BULB

60 watts

Amount of electricity used to light a common incandescent bulb

COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHTBULBS (CFL)

15 watts

Amount of power needed to light a CFL of equal brightness

Average price

25¢-$1

INCANDESCENT BULB

per 60-watt bulb

COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHTBULBS (CFL)

$2

per equivalent 15-watt bulb

Life span

INCANDESCENT BULB

1,000

hours, approximately

COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHTBULBS (CFL)

10,000

hours, approximately

Cost for five years of light (at 10¢ per kW)

INCANDESCENT BULB

$262.80

COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHTBULBS (CFL)

$65.70

CFLs were invented in response to the 1973 Middle East oil crisis

The bulbs can save up to 2,000 times their weight in greenhouse gases

Wal-Mart alone is aiming to sell at least 100 million CFLs a year