BATTLE OF THE BULBS

Cost: The annual cost of operating a 60-watt incandescent light bulb is $47.30. The annual cost of operating a 15-watt CFL is $11.86.

Life expectancy: A 60-watt bulb has a life expectancy of 1,000 hours. A 15-watt CFL has a life expectancy of 8,000 to 10,000 hours.

Price per bulb: A Web-based price check shows CFLs costing $1.46 each, while incandescents cost 74 cents.

Total annual cost: The total annual cost, including bulbs, would be $13.29 for a CFL bulb, and $53.24 for an incandescent bulb.

Source: Energy specialist Phil Smith, Minn. Department of Energy Security