Saving energy is important to the environment. Even the government is starting to get on board, recently passing a bill that will phase out incandescent light bulbs by the year 2014. And the buzz is that your energy bills will drop by approximately 70 percent from simply switching light bulb types.

Gives a whole new meaning to "changing a light bulb," doesn't it?

It seems to me that if I can save that much on my energy bill, then perhaps I should be looking for another type of bulb before the year 2014 comes around.

We have all seen LEDs become more and more prevalent in our daily lives. They are as common as traffic signals in major cities (after the whole energy rate fiasco a few years ago) and power indicators on most items. They are also as frivolous as LED hats to support your favorite team.

Manufacturers and retailers are starting to see the future in LED items as well, as they realize that a lot of people are looking to save energy. People want to support being "greener," sure, but they also want to keep a few more dollars and cents in their bank accounts.

Here are a few items I have come across that demonstrate how LED products will continue to make inroads in new categories of retail.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and L G Sourcing, Inc. have announced a recall of approximately 90,000 Portfolio Incandescent Torcherie Lamps, due to the fact that a short circuit in the lamps' wiring poses a fire hazard. Although no injuries have been reported, L G Sourcing has received two reports of lamp fires.

The recalled lamps were manufactured in China and sold exclusively by Lowe's retail stores nationwide from March 2005 through October 2007 and sold for $17. Please check out the CPSC press release to see if you have a recalled lamp.

Stop using the recalled lamp immediately and take it back to any Lowe's retail outlet to get a full refund. For more information, you may contact L G Sourcing toll-free at (866) 916-7233 or visit www.lowes.com.