I’ve found they last no longer than the incandescents. I had one catch on fire one night ... it filled the house with caustic fumes. I had everyone go out in the back yard for about half an hour. It really burned the lungs. Darned thing just burst into flames while we were at the supper table.
Congratulations, sir, you now have the unique opportunity to become the lead plaintiff in a landmark class action effort. Please contact the Law Offices of Johnnie "two Americas" Edwards to sign the papers. /semi-sarcasm
Most likely mercury vapors, bad news.
CFL bulbs have a circuit board in them. This is a power supply for the bulb. They can catch fire. I had one that the bulb itself just burned a little hole in it and all the gas and toxic poisons leaked all over my counter.
That’s totally worth a lawsuit!
I had a LightsOfAmerica (actually Chinese crap) circular lamp catch on fire also. It was the ballast in the base which is always the point of ignition. I started a complaint with the FTC, who took the information but wanted me to send the charred remains at my expense which I did not do. Two other of these ring light fixtures quit working early (because of the ballast), but fortunately did not catch fire. These should never have been imported.
Regarding the regular compact fluorescents, in the shape of a bulb, I have had very little complaint. Three of the early ones I installed in late 1999 are still working, used every day, but a little dimmer. The only ones which failed early were indoor units I installed outdoors.
It would be interesting to see if the units failing early tend to be off brands or ones you'd purchase at a dollar store. The manufacturers of the decent units will stand behind their claims for longevity.
Never again will I buy those!
Ditto. It made a lot of terrible hissing and sparking noise too. It was the light bulb assembly itself, not the fixture in case anyone is wondering.
I have NEVER had an incandescent light bulb catch fire.