Fairfield-Echo.com

Clark Howard's Tips

June 25, 2008

Clark has long been a big advocate of reducing his electric bill by using compact fluorescent lights in his home. It used to be that Clark installed CFLs in overhead fixtures and his wife put traditional bulbs in all the lamps. But now they're doing almost all CFLs through the house.

They've also done a lot of retrofitting with attic insulation, duct work improvements and weather-stripping around windows and doors. Their energy bill has fallen by about 40%, though complete payback is still several years away.

CFLs are a no-brainer in terms of savings. They cost about $1.10/bulb at the warehouse clubs -- which is still 4 times as much as a traditional bulb. Yet you may save up to $60 over the life of a CFL.

One of the biggest impediments to widespread CFL adoption has been the environmental angle. They're seen as a hazard by some because CFLs contain small amounts of mercury.

Now Home Depot has launched a FREE nationwide CFL recycling program. With safe disposal becoming a reality, Clark can feel good about recommending CFLs!

He is, however, a bit surprised that Wal-Mart or Sam's Club didn't beat Home Depot to the punch. But Home Depot has so many stores that most Americans live within 10 minutes of one, which makes recycling easy.

As Clark has said before, CFLs are just a transitional technology before LEDs (light-emitting diodes) become commonplace in the average American home. LEDs are already showing up in the homes of the ultra rich.

Consumer advice courtesy of