With so many different types of saving energy bulbs on the market today, just trying to decide which light bulb solutions will satisfy your particular efficient energy lighting needs is mind-boggling.

There are just so many to choose from. But the good news is there are only a few Energy Star rated bulbs that are truly classified as saving energy light bulbs.

There's no doubt about it, with energy prices soaring and economical and environmental concerns mounting, the constant influx of new and exciting saving energy devices and products will not stop any time soon.

However, when it comes to home lighting, fluorescent compact bulbs are essentially the only energy-saving light bulbs at this time best suited for home use. Armed with this knowledge narrows the selection process down considerably and will enable most people to make the switch to more efficient energy lighting in their homes without delay.

This is true even for the halogen-tungsten lights once considered the light bulb solution of the future. Halogen bulbs reap better increased energy light savings than the typical incandescent bulbs, but fluorescent compact light bulbs cost less and save the most in terms of home energy.

So, why is the fluorescent compact bulb the efficient energy lighting solution best suited for home use?

The simple answer is that the process fluorescent compact bulbs use to emit light uses about 75 percent less electricity than the typical incandescent bulb used in most homes.

To generate light from a typical incandescent bulb, electricity heats a thin tungsten filament contained inside the bulb until it glows producing light. This form of lighting technology is very inefficient because only 10 percent of the electricity used actually produces light. The other 90 percent is lost to heat energy.

To generate light from a fluorescent compact bulb, electricity excites argon and a mercury gas vapor within the bulb which in turn triggers the bulb to fluoresce. This lighting technology uses 75 to 80 percent less electricity than the incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light and generates much less heat.

Another reason fluorescent lighting is ideal for home use is its longevity. Fluorescent compact bulbs last 8 to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs. Plus, these saving energy bulbs fit in existing light sockets so there's no need to hire an electrician unless perhaps ballasts must be installed.

Like most light bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulbs come in many shapes, sizes, styles and colors. Elegant fluorescent candle energy-saving bulbs typically used in chandeliers, candelabras and window lights are also available.

Switching out your old incandescent bulbs for saving energy bulbs is one of the easiest and smartest ways to save home energy. Now that you no longer doubt fluorescent compact bulbs are the light bulb solution best suited for home use, make the switch and start saving your money and the environment today.