Lighting accounts for approximately 10 percent of the total
energy use in the average American home and can easily cost
$100—$150 per year in electricity. While that's not a huge
amount, it's more than enough to justify thinking about
conservation, especially when the advantages of energy-efficient
alternatives are considered. A bit of planning and investigation
can put about half of that money back in your pocket, as well as
saving precious energy resources. Types of Lighting Nearly all
lighting in the home today is incandescent. In this type of
light, electric current heats up a metal filament in the light
bulb, making it glow white-hot and give off light. The problem
is that only 10 percent of that electricity is actually used to
produce light—the rest ends up as heat. During the winter
months, incandescent lighting is an expensive form of electric
heat; during the summer months, it makes your air conditioner
work harder. Despite their inefficiency, incandescent bulbs are
still a favorite among consumers b