If the price tag on a traditional light bulb was $50 dollars more than the new compact fluorescent light bulbs, chances are you'd buy the fluorescent bulb.
While you may not actually see that price difference in the checkout line, you could end up paying that much more over time.
The Illinois Citizen Utility Board is celebrating it's 25th anniversary this week, by giving away its 250,000th free energy-saving light bulb to the public.
CUB will be giving away 20,000 free light bulbs at the April 9th Chicago Bulls Game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the United Center. They'll also be giving away free bulbs outside the NBC 5 studio at 401 N. Michigan Avenue Thursday morning from 6-8am.
Other tips to cut down on your energy bill:
-- Install a programmable thermostat, which could shave 1-2 percent off your energy bill for every degree you lower the temperature for at least eight hours
-- Clean or replace furnace and heat pump filters monthly.
-- Set your water heater at 120 degrees and cover it with an insulating blanket you can buy at hardware stores.
For more information on how you can have an energy efficient home, check out the CUB website www.citizensutilityboard.org.
