A CFL is a compact fluorescent light. We more commonly refer to CFL’s as energy efficient or long life lights. A CFL provides the same amount of light for about one-quarter of the power compared with incandescent lighting.

Low- voltage halogen lights are often mistaken as energy efficient. In fact, because they are recessed, they can use more energy for room lighting than incandescent bulbs, and they use from four to 20 times the amount of energy as CFL’s.