Energy Consumption

• Energy Star rated light fixtures use one-fourth the power that standard light fixtures use. This means that over the course of time, purchasing and installing Energy Star rated fixtures and bulbs will reduce the amount of power that you use in your home, significantly reducing your electric bill. For example, Energy Star states that if you replace your five most-used light bulbs in your home with Energy Star rated compact fluorescent bulbs, you will save approximately $70 per year in energy costs. Replacing all of your home's bulbs can significantly increase the savings.
  
  

Product Longevity

• Energy Star CFL lights have a longer service life than typical incandescent bulbs. While CFL bulbs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, it must be noted that one CFL bulb has the same service life as eight to 15 comparable incandescent bulbs. CFL bulbs should not be thrown away in the trash, however, as they do contain mercury. Most home stores accept CFL bulbs for recycling.
  
  

Light Output

• Energy Star light bulbs and fixtures use considerably less wattage than their incandescent counterparts. This means that you can use brighter Energy Star certified CFL bulbs in fixtures designed for specific wattage requirements. For instance, If you have a lamp that uses a 60-watt max incandescent bulb, you can increase the light output of the lamp by using a CFL bulb that has a comparable 100-watt rating because the CFL only uses 20 to 30 watts of power to generate that amount of light.
  
  

Heat Reduction

• One of the byproducts of light production is the production of heat. Since Energy Star CFL light bulbs use significantly less power than standard incandescent bulbs, they produce much less heat. Not only can this reduce the ambient temperature in a fully lit room, but it can also help to prevent fires caused by light bulbs. An example is that a typical incandescent bulb burns at between 212 and 572 degrees Fahrenheit. Materials such as wool and cotton ignite at just under 500 degrees Fahrenheit. By comparison, most Energy Star CFL bulbs use less wattage, and thus burn at much cooler temperatures.