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 hundreds of pounds of pollution over their lifespan while also lowering your energy bill (paying for themselves easily) and lasting longer than regular light bulbs.

Home Depot says, “You can achieve the same level of brightness with a 17-watt energy efficient fluorescent light bulb as you can with a standard 60-watt bulb. Yet the lower wattage bulb uses as much as 72 percent less energy than its incandescent counterpart and it lasts 10 times longer, too!”

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

The color temperature Ive 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 arent 2700 K.  It’s good for reading and computer use.

Even though 2700 Kelvin seems like it would be very hot, the actual temperature of the bulb is still more like 75° F.  An incandescent, 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:

Compact Flourescent Colors in Wikipedia

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

Home Depot’s list of Ecological Options for your Home

specifically:
Home Depot’s Environmentally-Friendly Cost-Saving Lighting

Please do your part for the environment and save money as well (and avoid being exposed to unnecessarily hot temperatures every day of your life).  It’s only a few dollars for a typical light bulb and they last a long time