Now, it is easier than ever to have beautiful light in your home and save energy by choosing energy-efficient lightbulbs and fixtures. In the past, to get a nice, warm light for your home, the best choice was incandescent lightbulbs. Compact fluorescents were available but produced a harsh, cold light and contained dangerous mercury. Now the more efficient LED light bulbs are here to replace compact fluorescents (CFLs) and incandescent light bulbs.
Choose LED Bulbs
LED bulb technology has brought us light bulbs for most fixtures, with cool and warm light, and even dimmable and non-dimmable options. LEDs are safer since they contain no mercury, and are last a long time. They are a little more expensive than incandescents, but LEDs are actually less expensive over time since the bulbs last longer than CFLs or incandescents.
Energy Star offers a useful guide to selecting the best LED bulb for your needs
here. If you are a Maryland resident, you can visit BGE Smart Energy for light bulb and fixture discounts
here. Look for the Energy Star label when buying light fixtures and save up to $10 per fixture.
Save More with an Energy Checkup
If you schedule a
Free Quick Home Energy Checkup with BGE Smart Energy, a Check-up professional will perform a one-hour walk-through of your home to show you how you can reduce the amount of energy you use and how to save money. The Check-up professional will provide and install the following energy-saving measures in your home at no additional cost:
- Light emitting diode (LED) bulbs
- Four faucet aerators
- Two efficient-flow fixed or handheld showerheads
- Water heater pipe insulation (installed on hot and cold pipes for six feet from water heater)
- Smart Strips
- ShowerStart™ showerhead adapter
You can also schedule a $100 Home Performance with Energy Star check. See the difference between the two programs
here. 
