You're known as the modern homeowner in your neighborhood.

Granite countertops? Check.

Stainless steel appliances? Absolutely.

Energy-efficient light bulbs? Wait, you're still using incandescent bulbs?

Vintage style might be trendy, but vintage lighting that's costing you extra on your energy bill isn't chic -- it's outdated.

This Light Bulb, Not That

Did you know that according to Consumers Energy, lighting the average home -- with about 30 fixtures -- can use more energy than your laundry, refrigerator, and dishwasher combined?

That's right. Lighting matters -- a lot.

Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs can significantly reduce your home's energy usage and save you money.

But what are the most energy-efficient light bulbs available?

Two popular types of energy-efficient bulbs are CFL (compact fluorescent lights) and LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs. CFL bulbs use at least 25 percent less energy, while LED bulbs slash energy use by at least 75 percent compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.

What is the Most Energy-Efficient Light Bulb?

Among the two, LEDs are the clear winner.

Not only do they save more energy, but they also last significantly longer -- up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs and about two to three times longer than CFL bulbs.

“Energy-efficient lighting has reduced costs for many Michigan households and businesses in recent years,” said Brian Wheeler, spokesman for Consumers Energy. “Since 2009, customers have made use of Consumers Energy sponsored rebates and purchased over 11 million energy-efficient bulbs to reduce energy use and costs.”

Are Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs Worth It?

In short -- absolutely.

Energy Star-rated LED and CFL bulbs can help you save $30 to $75 in energy costs over their lifetime. And, thanks to advances in technology, energy-efficient bulbs fit seamlessly into your existing fixtures, making the switch easy and beneficial.

Despite these clear benefits, nearly 70 percent of bulb sockets in America still hold inefficient incandescent bulbs. That means many homeowners are missing out on both cost savings and environmental benefits.

But not you -- you're ready to make the smart, modern upgrade.

Creating a More Energy-Efficient Home

Now that you have a better understanding of the difference energy-efficient light bulbs can make on your bills, you might be looking for other ways to save energy.

If that's the case, check out the Learning Center on our website. While we have a ton of information about foam insulation and how it is the greener choice, we also have tons of articles and videos about making homes more energy-efficient.

Key Points:

• Lighting consumers more energy than your laundry, refrigerator, and dishwasher combined.
• LED bulbs are the most energy-efficient option available today.
• LEDs use up to 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
• Energy Star-certified bulbs save homeowners $30 to $75 in energy costs over their lifetime.
• Switching to CFL or LED bulbs is easy and compatible with your current lighting fixtures.

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