With his son Ben at his side, Louis Schwartz is holding one of the compact fluorescent light bulbs that has proven to be a prudent investment for his family and the climate.

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Their Bright Idea Saves Money and Reduces Emissions

One by one, as the 70 incandescent light bulbs burnt out in their Squirrel Hill home, Louis Schwartz and his son, Ben, began installing compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs. Although it took more than a year to transition to the energy-efficient technology in their four-story home, it didn’t take long to realize the economic benefits. The Schwartz family electric bills fell, on average, about $70 a month. That’s because CFLs use two-thirds less energy than incandescent bulbs. Though they cost about five times more than their incandescent counterparts, CFL bulbs last 10 times longer. “I like the fact we don’t have to change light bulbs as often,” Louis said. “I also like the fact we’re doing our part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”