Jun. 28--Xcel Energy has announced a new energy-efficient lighting program that will help residential customers in Colorado save energy and money.

The company is helping electricity customers switch to energy- efficient lighting by offering incentives on compact fluorescent lights. By replacing one regular incandescent bulb with a CFL bulb, customers can lower their energy bills by up to $50 over the life of a bulb while protecting the environment.

Customers will receive one free CFL bulb --a $4.99 value -- when they buy seven CFL bulbs from Xcel Energy by telephone, the Web or mail. Interested customers can call Xcel during business hours at (877) 535-0350 or visit xcelenergy.com/homelighting.

CFL bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than typical incandescent bulbs and offer better performance. A CFL bulb usually lasts six to10 years, depending on how much it's used, and offers the greatest energy savings in lights used often and for a long time.

The most frequently used lights in homes typically include kitchen lights, living room table and floor lamps, bathroom vanity lights and outdoor porch or post lamps.

For more information on CFL bulbs, go to www.energystar.gov.