Now that you've replaced your home's energy-hogging light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones, meet the next wave of environmentally-friendly home lighting -- LED.

Though nearly 10 times as expensive as compact fluorescent bulbs, LED lights hold several advantages as a green alternative:

• LED bulbs consume up to 1/30th of the energy of a CFL
• LED bulbs contain no mercury or other toxins
• LED bulbs last up to 60,000 hours
• LED bulbs are suitable for dimmer and sensor-activated switches

LEDs aren't without disadvantages, however.  The aforementioned bulb cost is one of them -- units can exceed $40 each.  The limited "light angle" is another.  LED bulbs do not spread light over as wide an area as CFLs or incandescent bulbs.

However, long-term, LED light bulbs save more money than any other commercial available light bulb choice and are better for the environment.

LED light bulbs are available at Home Depot and other hardware stores.