“While standard light bulbs cost about 50 cents, the spiral CFL sells for about $3. Advocates argue, however, the CFL lasts five years longer and uses about 75 percent less energy.”
Liar, liar, pants on fire. We put four of these bulbs in our house in the last year ... and three of them have already died! Five years my behind!
Have someone who knows how to check your voltage. It should be 125 volts tops. Really 125 volts is too high but a lot of utilities are stepping up the voltage as a back door rate hike. Anything over 120/240 is wasted energy. I checked mine and it was 128/256. I called my utility and raised Cain as I was tired of replacing my well pump, water heater elements etc. At the upper end of the voltage spectrum you don't have much room to absorb voltage spikes or surges. With a borderline voltage the new ones will likely blow faster than regular bulbs because they have electronic components used to start them.
I buy 1 Year GE incandescents and get that usually out of one. I have a couple of outdoor flood lights that are 5 years old. I refuse to buy the new bulbs though. I have issues with certain lighting. Actually I have a single 100 watt bulb in most rooms except living room and kitchen.