Fluorescent bulbs are economical

Most folks know fluorescent bulbs consume less energy than standard incandescent lightbulbs, but here's another reason to use them:

They last a lot longer, which makes them ideal for hard-to-reach fixtures like those in your garage, stairwells, attic or anywhere else you need to use a ladder or chair when you replace a bulb.

The new generation of compact fluorescents are designed for screw-in lamps and fixtures, they don't flicker like their predecessors and, according to major manufacturers like Sylvania, Philips and GE, they last five to seven years under normal use.

That's eight to 10 times longer than incandescents.

The energy you'll save: If you replace a 60-watt incandescent bulb with a 15-watt CFL, you'll get almost the same amount of light output, and you could save around $45 over the extended life of the CFL.

Of course, there are a couple of disadvantages to consider. CFLs cost considerably more than incandescent lights. A 15-watt CFL runs about $12 compared with about 75 cents for a comparable incandescent.

And some CFLs are a bit odd-looking. But, in hard-to-reach fixtures, that isn't likely to matter.

Even if the lights are in plain view, you'll likely grow to appreciate CFLs, knowing you won't need to replace them for years to come and that they will save you serious money in the long run.