FURNISHINGS : Light Bulbs That Save Energy, Money

In the new world of high-tech light bulbs, we say goodby to the familiar urn-shaped light bulb and say hello to small, bent rods of light that decrease electric bills.

“Energy-efficient lighting is the hot new word in the lighting business,” said Colin Becker of Light Bulbs Unlimited, which has stores in Orange and Costa Mesa. “Consumers are very aware of increasing energy costs and are looking for ways to decrease their energy bills.

“People are more aware of the long-term, environmental effects of energy consumption as well,” Becker said. “With the new bulbs available, most consumers can replace a standard bulb with an energy-efficient model and see substantial savings as well as an improvement in the lighting.”

With the aid of an adapter (that costs about $6), the energy-efficient bulb can be inserted into a standard light socket.

Although these light bulbs cost four to five times more than the price of a standard bulb, consumers recoup their initial investment in about three months because “the energy-efficient models have a life span of 10,000 hours as opposed to the 1,000 hours of their less efficient counterparts,” Becker said. “What’s more, Southern California Edison is offering a $5 rebate through Dec. 31 for the purchase of each energy-efficient light bulb, so there’s that incentive as well.”

Most people start with one or two energy-efficient light bulbs and gradually begin replacing all the bulbs within their homes, according to Becker. They see their electric bill decrease about $48 per year per socket.

Bulbs aren’t the only lighting that’s available in energy-efficient models. Fluorescent lights, ceiling and wall lights, security lights for use outside the home--practically any lights that are now in use--have an energy-efficient counterpart that require less “juice” to fuel it.

Energy-efficient bulbs aren’t the only new lights attracting attention these days. Black lights, strobes and a variety of neon “sculptures” are attracting teen-age attention.

“It’s funny to watch parents come in with their teen-age kids and see the black lights,” Becker said. “It’s like reliving their past.”

One small area of the Orange store (which has more than 8,500 different types of light bulbs and fixtures) is devoted to black lights, strobe lights, lava lamps and mirror balls.

“We sell the old black light posters in there and many parents recognize the posters they had as teen-agers,” Becker said. “Most people interested in these kinds of lights are teen-agers, nightclub owners and people who have never quite left the ‘60s.”

For the holidays, try Christmas lights with a new whimsical twist: strings of sardines, dinosaurs, lizards and flamingos can be added to the tree, and Dalmatians (complete with accompanying fire hydrants), bacon and eggs, or cacti can dress up the stairwell.

There are energy-efficient tree lights, too. Tiny white tree lights can now operate on batteries instead of being plugged into the often-overloaded electrical sockets.

“Most people probably don’t think much about light bulbs or fixtures until they need to be replaced,” Becker said. “But once they see the selections available and learn how much they can save on their energy bills, light bulbs suddenly become a lot more interesting.”