Compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs use 75 percent less energy than conventional bulbs and generate 70 percent less heat. Still, many people haven’t switched over to CFLs because they find the bulbs slow to reach full light power or because the bluish light from the bulbs can seem harsh. Now, there are models that eliminate those drawbacks. Panasonic’s $12 Light Capsule models, for example, come up to half brightness in a split second and have a softer, more natural light, making them appropriate for bathrooms and bedrooms; panasonic.com.

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