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The current 100-watt incandescent bulb is the equivalent of about 1600 lumens.

According to new U.S. energy efficiency requirements, beginning January 1, 2012, all across the nation, companies will no longer be able to sell or manufacture 100 watt light bulbs. You will no longer be able to find or buy 100 watt bulbs. Instead, the highest you will find is 72 watts. In addition to this change, you will now find that light bulbs will no longer be categorized by wattage, but rather by lumens. A 72 watt bulb will now be referred to as a “1,500 lumens bulb" or a “2,600 lumens bulb.” Here's a quick reference guide to see all bulb conversions.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Just follow these steps:

• Turn off the electricity to the lights at the breaker box. Don’t just turn the lights off at the light switch.
• Carefully position a step ladder under the fixture.
• Remove the light cover.
• Remove the fluorescent tube(s) and carefully set aside.
• Remove the metal cover in the middle of the fixture.
• Unwire the hot wire, then the ground wire.
• Unscrew the ballast and remove it.
• Replace the ballast, then replace the metal cover.
• Put your fluorescent tubes in and replace the cover.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Most estimates are 70 percent, which means that over the life of the bulb you can save as much as $100.

There are many benefits to switching to CFLs.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Holiday decorations have come a long way since your parents used to string those old, clumsy light sets on the bushes. Technical innovations and other improvements in holiday decorations have paved the way for easier options if you plan to decorate this season.

Although some of the "old standby items" still make the cut for decorating, there are a number of non-conventional items you should consider to adorn your home. Among some of the "trendier" products you'll see on hardware store shelves:

Rope Lights

Also known as tube lights, these decorative lights have been around for a few years and just keep getting better. They can take the form of holiday characters like reindeer and Christmas trees, or you can use their unusual yet handy "shapability" to wrap around porch railings and entry columns. Get a little creative with how and where you string them and who knows what you can come up with!

"Snowflake" Lights

Somewhat new to the decorating scene are shimmering snowflakes that stand alone or come as part of a longer strand. Sold typically as 10-packs, the individual snowflakes are strung together and can be placed in windows, trees and bushes or tacked onto shutters or lattice work for a "snowfall" effect. Longer strands of icicle lights are also available with snowflakes dangling from the bottom row.

Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Trees

Somewhat commonplace anymore, these trees can be assembled in less than five minutes and, thanks to improvements in quality, look like the real thing. As far as lighting is concerned, the fiber optic trees are fantastic. Some even have revolving color wheels in the base that continually change the light patterns on the tips of the tree's "needles," creating a shimmer effect. Stand back and look hard -- you may be convinced your tree is the real thing!

Commercial-Grade Light Sets

Commercial light sets are stronger and can handle more wear and tear, the bulbs burn brighter and up to six strands can be strung together for greater decorating ability. Make this investment now, and your lights will last year after year without having to be replaced as often. Typical commercial-grade sets retail for roughly $10 a strand or less.

Light Clips

If you've been living without these for the past few years, I commend you on your work ethic, but it doesn't have to be that hard! To take the strain out of stringing the house with lights, light clips allow for hanging lights off gutters and around window frames without nails. There are even clips for hanging lights off of bricks for masonry homes. The clips are inexpensive and can be re-used, and what's more, when it's time to take the lights down off the house (hopefully not in April), the clear clips can be left on for next year. It'll make your job that much easier!

Be sure to take safety precautions before you begin your decorating as well as while you install your holiday lights.

Credit: Lou Manfredini's Tips From the Tool Box, Ace Hardware

Today, compact fluorescent bulbs come in a wide variety of colors. To imitate a light similar to incandescent bulbs, choose warm or soft white tones.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Use a rough service bulb. These heavy-duty bulbs will take rougher treatment and water droplets.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

While the use or purchase of incandescent bulbs will not be banned, the U.S. Energy and Independence Act of 2007 does ban the sale and manufacturing of common household incandescent bulbs that are not energy-efficient. In an effort to help conserve energy, incandescent bulbs must now produce the same amount of lumens (light output) for less wattage (energy). The new legislation mandates that these incandescent light bulbs be replaced by a bulb that uses 30% less energy, but produces the same amount of light output.

As of January 1, 2012, the maximum wattage allowed will be 72 watts, meaning the 100 watt bulb will become obsolete. Over the next three years, all other wattages will reduce, as well. Refer to the Quick Reference Guide below to view the decreases in wattages, as well as the dates in which these changes will go into effect. 

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are low-energy alternatives to incandescent light bulbs that can save money in energy and replacement costs. Typical CFLs last about ten times as long as incandescent – or “regular” – light bulbs and use about 25 percent of the energy. They produce light from glowing gases, as opposed to the filament used in regular bulbs. The filaments in regular incandescent bulbs eventually burn out. These light bulbs are very inexpensive and last about 1,000 hours.

CFLs cost about five times more than regular light bulbs, but they last ten to twenty times longer. This makes them more cost-efficient for replacement over the long run. CFLs are also much more energy efficient than regular bulbs, which makes them a much more logical choice for saving energy and money.

Regular light bulbs can be thrown out in regular household trash in most regions, but CFLs contain a small amount of toxic mercury and should be turned into a recycling center whenever possible. If you break a CFL in your home, the Environmental Protection Agency advises that you open doors and windows and leave the room immediately. This will allow the toxic mercury vapor to dissipate before you clean up the mess.

CFLs come in a variety of sizes so be sure to find the right one, and let the energy saving begin!

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

You’ll want to make sure that the cords are rated for outdoor use. Using a 14- or 16-gauge extension cord will ensure you have enough voltage. Be sure to plug all extension cords and outdoor electric decorations into outdoor receptacles with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). These outlets shut off power when they detect a short circuit, which can help you avoid potential shocking and minimize the chance of fire.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

The Energy Information Administration projects heating bill hikes ranging from 31 percent in the Northeast to 71 percent in the Midwest. Electricity prices could rise as well, as almost one-fifth of electricity is generated using natural gas.

While it's no secret that you'll be spending more to heat your home this winter, if you take measures to conserve energy, you can significantly minimize the impact. Here are my top 10 energy savings tips:

Service your heating system

This is my number one rule. By paying a service technician $75 to $100, depending on where you live, he or she will clean the unit and replace filters in the furnace and humidifier, thus insuring that the equipment is running at its most cost-efficient and optimum capacity. This should be done annually.

Install a programmable thermostat

A recent study revealed that only 24 percent of Americans have installed this handy device - for shame! Well-insulated homes can save up to 30 percent on heating costs with one. You can program these thermostats to automatically lower temperatures when at work or while sleeping, thereby saving energy hours at a time. Prices for programmable thermostats range from $40 to $100, and will quickly pay for themselves.

Add weather stripping around windows and doors

Use of door thresholds, window caulking and plastic window film can go far in saving your money this winter. If you live in a drafty home, you could save up to 20 percent with an investment of as little as $25. One product to consider is a product called Windjammer (Ace no. 1200989), a clear, weatherproof gel that dispenses from a can and seals drafts. What's more, it can be easily removed at the end of the season.

Install ceiling fans in your home

Running the fans slowly and in reverse will keep warm air circulating throughout the house, thereby reducing running time for the furnace. Ceiling fans add a nice decorative touch as well.

Check furniture arrangement in your rooms

Are you unknowingly blocking vents and radiators with a big sofa or armchair? If so, you're restricting the airflow in your home, resulting in higher output from your furnace or boiler. Rearranging the furniture can save your units from having to work overtime.

Install a tankless water heater

I always remind people that this amazing technology has been around for 70 years, yet U.S. homeowners have been slow to adopt it. These days, units are less expensive, and by creating hot water on demand as opposed to continuously heating stored water, homeowners can save hundreds of dollars over time.

Be smart about setting the temperature

Homeowners can save up to 3 percent on energy bills simply by turning down the thermostat just one degree. You won't even notice the change in temperature, but your heating bill will.

Install thermo-pane windows in your home

These multi-pane windows can have R-values of as high as 9.1. The higher the R-value, the more resistant the glass is to losing heat. Conversely, your typical single pane glass has an R-value of 1. The difference is an increase in energy efficiency of up to 70 percent.

Properly insulate your ceilings and attic

Heat rises, and if there isn't enough insulation in the space above, your money literally is going out the roof. Most ceilings and attic spaces should have at least an R-30 rating, although some areas of the country recommend an R-40-50 rating.

Let the sun be your guide

It's free energy! During the day, open up drapes and blinds and let the sun heat your home. At night, draw the curtains to keep the heat inside.

Credit:  Lou Manfredini's Tips From the Tool Box, Ace Hardware

The primary difference is in size; compact fluorescent bulbs are made in special shapes (which require special technologies) to fit in standard household light sockets, like table lamps and ceiling fixtures. In addition, most compact fluorescent lamps have an "integral" ballast that is built into the light bulb, whereas most fluorescent tubes require a separate ballast independent of the bulb. Both types offer energy-efficient light.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Yes, CFL bulbs can replace incandescent bulbs in standard light sockets. However, some ENERGY STAR CFL bulbs cannot, so it’s important to check the packaging before purchasing.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

LEDs and halogen lighting are the two other options that meet the requirements of the 2012 Lighting Legislation. There are halogen options for nearly every fixture in the home. And GE Energy Smart® LEDs are a great option for accent lighting.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

During the holidays, your outdoor decorations and lighting can use a lot of electricity and add quite a bit to your electric bill. To keep energy costs down, replace those incandescent light strands with LED lights. LED bulbs are 80 percent more energy efficient and can even last 20 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.