With so many options for energy-efficient CFL bulbs out there now, it can be confusing when going to purchase them for certain light fixtures in your home. Lucky for us, ENERGY STAR has created an interactive website where you can learn the exact type of bulb you can use for certain fixtures, the different color options available — soft white, bright white, and daylight — and you can even see what the colors will look like.
Go to ENERGY STAR's 'Choose a Light' guide and play around. Besides the regular bulbs for lamps, it lists outdoor and dimmable bulb options. The site also lists great tips on purchasing, installing and even recycling CFLs.
This article appears in Nov 11-17, 2010.