The time has arrived to switch many of your lights to Compact Fluorescent bulbs.

These bulbs run up to 300 degrees F cooler and thus are much more efficient while outputting similar light.  There are hundreds of models for all different size bulbs.  They save thousands of pounds of pollution while also lowering your energy bill (paying for themselves easily) and lasting longer than regular light bulbs.

The key is finding out exactly what wattage and voltage your current light bulbs are and choosing the right temperature.

The temperature I’ve liked so far, for computer and home use, is 2700 K (Kelvin).  2700 K Compact Fluorescent bulbs are also known as “Warm white” or “Soft white” but the only way to be sure it is 2700 K is to look for that spec.  Some are labeled Warm white but aren’t 2700 K. 

Even though 2700 Kelvin seems like it would be very hot, the actual temperature of the bulb is still more like 75 F.  An old regular, polluting, inefficient, bulb though would be closer to 400 F.  Whatever Compact Fluorescent bulb you buy, you are going to get a cooler bulb and a more efficient one.

For more on the temperature aka color see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp#Colors

The Home Depot carries these bulbs and has built a website around this and other environmentally friendly technology that is starting to mature:

http://www6.homedepot.com/ecooptions/index.html

Please do your part and save money while doing it (and avoid a lot of unnecessary hot temperatures every day of your life).