[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

“The bulbs are more expensive, costing up to six times as much as an equivalent incandescent bulb. But they're said to be more economical in the long run because they supposedly use up to 80% less energy than old-style bulbs and don't burn out as quickly.”

Even if all the claims about CFL bulbs were true; they still wouldn't save much energy, in any place with a heating season.

Incandescent bulbs are (nearly) 100% efficient radiant heaters. Around here, when you need a lot of light, you also need some heat.

I would agree that they save energy in hot climates — especially when the A/C is running too.

[NewHampshireDuo]

I like light. Anything less than a 75 watt incandescent is a night light. I’ll probably end up converting to 100-150 watt flood lamps.

[nascarnation]

good post
I’ve mentioned the heat generated on other threads

the winter heating energy is never used in calculations

and in the AC season (at least here in Indiana) you don’t use indoor lighting nearly as much because it’s light outside later