Incandescents are the light bulbs we have always known, and with all due respect to the old stand-by, they are very  wasteful. Incandescents bulbs use most of the electricity they draw to emit heat. They also don't last very long, requiring constant replacement, as well as generating trash. For a long time, one could argue that energy efficient bulbs cost too much, and continued buying incandescents to save money. But that is quickly changing. Energy efficient light bulbs are less costly than ever, they provide superior light quality, and pay for themselves in energy savings and reduced need for replacement.

Options:

You will be glad to know that moving to efficient bulbs has never been easier. LED lights (Light Emitting Diodes), are increasingly affordable and flexible. These efficient and technologically superior lights will likely be the choice of the future. In the meantime, CFL's (compact florescent lights), are meeting the immediate need for energy efficiency. CFL's are designed to fit into the same light sockets as incandescent bulbs, and they have come a long way from the CFL's of the past. Many emit the warm light we prefer in our homes. In fact, some experts compare the soft warm light opf CFL's to morning sunlight.  Again, they can be used anywhere to replace a traditional incandescent. They last a long time, and they are a very  easy way to save money on your untility bill. In addition to indoor spiral bulbs, CFL's are available in the tradtional bulb shape, as well as reflectors.

CFL Bulbs:

The base of a CFL bulb is a ballast that generates an electric charge which flows through the gas-filled tube. Those gases emit UV, which activiates a phosphor coating inside the tube, resulting in visible light. This chemical process creates a lot of light but very little heat. When buying CFL's, make sure to always look for the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) symbol to ensure the ballasts of the bulbs have been properly fireproofed.

LED Bulbs:

As mentioned above, LED stands for "light emitting diode". LED lights don't have a filament to burn out and don't create much heat, which accounts for their long life spans. They also use a fraction of the elctricity used by incandescents. LED's may definitley be the future of energy efficient lighting. Already they are the most efficient on the market. While still expensive, pricing has been dropping over the past decade. The demand for high efficiency lighting has also spurred development of newer, cheaper materials in their manufacturing process.