[Tirian]

The cost savings computed over the life of the bulb are substantial - like $50 to $100 NET SAVINGS per CF bulb (that includes the purchase price of the bulb). Most CF bulbs easily outlive incandescents by a factor of 5 or so, so you should be comparing one CF to 5 incandescents (OK, OK, even throw in future value discounting on future incandescent bulb purchases if you want to get technical) and it's still a win-win to switch to them.

We have used them for years (our utility was giving them away for a while back when the cost $15 each) and have rarely seen one die prematurely. We even have them on the outdoors post light (a yellow bug-lite version). The sizes and shapes available now mean that you can put them almost everywhere (just not on dimmers). They've gotten so cheap that I'm now using them even in many short-use applications.

[mfnorman]

thanks for your recommendation. i may look into them.

[steve-b]

The sizes and shapes available now mean that you can put them almost everywhere (just not on dimmers).

There are versions that work on dimmers, but they're more expensive and hard to find (except online).