Bright Green

The "energy crisis" is one of the most frequently used phrases bandied about on the news, and is also one of the 2008 Presidential election hot buttons. Left in the hands of politicians, goodness only knows how long it'll take to avert this crisis. Fortunately for us, we don't have to know how many politicians it takes to screw in a lightbulb. (Answer: none; we can do it ourselves.)

Did you know that by swapping out those old incandescent lightbulbs for fluorescent bulbs, you can use up to 75% less energy to light up your home? Each bulb you replace with a fluorescent bulb will last up to ten times as long, as well as save you up to $30 over its lifespan. (And with the price of gas climbing every day, we can all use the extra cash!) Not only do fluorescent bulbs reduce costs associated with lighting, but they also burn 75% cooler than standard lightbulbs, thus reducing home cooling costs.

As if the personal benefits aren't incentive enough to make the switch, check out the effect this could have on a national level:

If every American home replaced just one light bulb...we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars. (EnergyStar.gov)

For more information on how to choose the right fluorescent bulbs for your home, check out Energy Star's helpful guide.

Now that's the brightest shade of green you ever saw.