EPA is reporting that 2007 sales for Energy Star compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) nearly doubled from 2006, and these sales accounted for approximately 20 percent of the U.S. light bulb market.

The total 2007 Energy Star CFL sales was approximately 290 million bulbs, and EPA attributes the increase to education provided by retail partners including Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, Costco, Menards, Ace Hardware and Sams Club.

CFLs use about 75 percent less energy and last up to ten times longer than incandescent bulbs. EPA qualified CFLs have a minimum lifetime of 6,000 hours, and one bulb can save over $30 in energy costs. They also contain traces of mercury, meaning they must be properly disposed.

“More and more Americans are seeing the light—that protecting the environment, while saving money, is as easy as changing a bulb,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “Together, we are brightening our country’s future, one Energy Star CFL at a time.”

EPA has an Energy Star Change a Light campaign with over one million pledges to change light bulbs to Energy Star CFLs. For more ways to save energy around the house, visit Earth 911’s Energy page.