Torchieres – floor lamps that reflect light off the ceiling – are taking the home lighting market by surprise. Their crisp white light, dimming capabilities, low glare and portability make them a great choice of illumination in high-use areas of the home.

But not all torchieres are created equally. Your best choice is a fixture that uses compact fluorescent lamps, or compact fluorescent torchieres:

• use less than a quarter of the energy of the more common high-wattage halogen fixtures, which can consume as much electricity as a typical refrigerator
• are safer to operate, since they don't generate the extreme temperatures and potential fire hazards of high-wattage halogen lamps
• last approximately five times longer than a halogen lamp, so replacement costs are minimized
• are good for the environment because they reduce your home's production of greenhouse gas emissions
• For maximum energy savings, make sure you use ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent lamps in your new torchiere.
• Compact fluorescent torchieres are also good for the environment because their lower energy consumption minimizes the production of greenhouse gases.

For more information on energy-efficient lighting and other ENERGY STAR qualified products, call Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency toll-free at 1 800 387-2000 or visit energystar.gc.ca. Or write to Energy Publications, Office of Energy Efficiency, c/o S.J.D.S., Gatineau, Quebec J9J 3N7.