Most hardware stores sell replacement globes, shades, wires and chains. In addition, you can buy a specialty light bulb to change the appearance of your fixture.

GE's Bright from the Start hybrid bulbs, for example, contain a miniature halogen bulb that illuminates immediately, providing warm light while the fluorescent coil warms up.

The bulbs are designed to be dimmable through the 12V supply that feeds the light fixture. But the relationship of dimmer position to light level is not linear and [Jonathan] figured he could do ...

Now the fixtures, along with boxes of their corresponding light bulbs, sat in the garage awaiting their moment to shine. We were just one electrician away from a new dawn.

The fat, four-foot fluorescent bulb is going the way of the 100-watt household incandescent -- into extinction because it is also an energy hog compared with its replacement. That's the good news ...

Replacing old bulbs with LEDs makes sense in so many ways, from appearance to longevity, safety and energy savings.