It’s never too late to help nature by combating climate change. There are many things families can do around the house to reduce energy consumption. Doing so will result in fewer greenhouse gas emissions – one of the main contributors to global warming.

Here’s a bright idea. One way in which every single person can make a big difference by making a small change is by changing to energy efficient light bulbs. Take a big step towards energy conservation in your home by switching to these energy-efficient light bulbs. Whether you are motivated by money or concern about global warming, changing out your light bulbs and fixtures can make a huge difference on both fronts.

Why Changing Out Your Light Bulbs Is a Smart Move

The next time you’re driving down the road in a big city in the evening take a look across the landscape. Seeing all those lights really is quite an amazing view. But stop, and think for a second about all the energy that those light are taking. You may shake your head just thinking of all the wasted energy.

But let’s take a look in the mirror.

Upon arriving home, what is the first thing you do? Flip on the television and started channel surfing? Take an honest look at how you use energy around your home. Pay a bit more attention and see if there aren’t some things you can learn and some ways you can save.

So just how do energy efficient light bulbs make a difference?

The lighting in our homes is a massive energy waster. Because we receive the electricity mostly from petroleum or coal fueled power plants, this energy waste also contributes to the climate problems we are having since the power plants emit greenhouse gases. Did you know that most light bulbs and light fixtures are roughly only 60 percent efficient? Quite simply, they turn the vast majority of the electricity they consume into heat, rather than light. While each ENERGY STAR qualified bulb will cost more initially (anywhere from $3 to $9 a piece) remember that there are two price tags: what you pay at the register and what you pay in energy costs to over the bulb’s lifetime.

Energy Star bulbs can make a real difference.

So, you are probably wondering what kind of a difference changing your light bulbs could possible make. Well, a lot. The amount of pollution equivalent to the emissions of two million cars can be removed from the atmosphere if every household replaces one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR–qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). One bulb. Will you do it? How about five? If each household in the country changes five light bulbs, we will eliminate one trillion pounds of greenhouse gases from being emitted to the atmosphere. The country in general will save over six billion dollars in energy use. Individually, each household will save $60 on average, which more than makes up for the cost of buying the energy efficient bulbs.

Is this somewhat surprising to you that such a small change could make such a big difference? Imagine the possibilities. Imagine if people all over the world mobilized to replace one billion standard incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs. What would that mean? It would mean that those people would save money each month on their electricity bill. It would make a difference to the environment, preventing greenhouse gases equivalent to the annual emissions of millions of cars.

Using the cool, new compact fluorescent light bulbs is the easiest way for you to quickly make a difference on this planet. Plus these bulbs save you money by lowering your electric bill.

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