Who has CFL's in their home?

[NOGoddess]

I got some smaller (physically smaller) CFC's, I think at Lowes, for the few smaller lamps we have - you might look for some like that for the fixtures you're having problems with.

[Phy]

I have them in about 80% of the sockets and am replacing the incandescents as they burn out. However some of the older ones have a very slow light-up time which is quite annoying.

[ho'ard]

No-one memtioned the mercury content??????
I bought a bunch for $1 each and have yet to use them . . . saw them for $ each the other night at a Jewel grocery store (the one at Riscoe/Western for interested Chicagoans).

[JoeBob]

Probably 80% of my lights are CFL.

Cold, and constant off/on cycles do seem to cut the life considerably.

[JEBB]

I've got several of CFLs, the ones with spiral shape that replace regular incondescent bulbs. On the first ones I installed I wrote the date of installation.

So far they aren't lasting any longer than regular bulbs. And of course the CFLs cost ten times more than regular bulbs. So I'm not likely to buy any more. I feel I've been sold a bill of goods.

[OWC Jamie]

I use the CFLs rated for outdoor use for in cold locations. It helps to read the specs on the box.
Incandescant lights filament can buzz.
Cheap incandescants would only last 6 months here. Better ones would last longer. So I compare the better ones with the incandescants.

I'm finding some of mine that are now six years old are getting a bit slow to turn on.
Newer ones are improved, compared to even just 5 years ago.

Recycling them can be a pain for some, but we recycle so much here now, that it's becoming a regular part of life.

[jimbrady]

I tried using them in place of 60w bulbs in overhead fixtures (enclosed in hemispherical glass). They've burned out extremely quickly in that setting.

Otherwise I've been happy w/them, though I think I leave them on a lot more than I would an incandescent because a) I know it's sucking less juice, and b) I don't like the dim time when they're warming up.

[JoeH]

You have to use CFL's rated for use in enclosures, or they will burn out faster. Not all are, but the 6 pack of 14 W bulbs I bought from Home Depot were. Used them in place of 60 W bulbs in a number of enclosed ceiling fixtures and they are still going good. They have lasted longer than incandescent bulbs so far, will have to see if they last the 7 years they were warrantied for. These CFL's were also rated for outdoor use, but only in enclosed fixtures.

[TLB]

I'm about 50-50 here. I have a lot of dimmers-bedrooms, hall, dining room-that still have incandescants. I took out the dimmer in the family room so I could replace all the recessed lighting with CF, but I may go back because we like the variable lighting. I have CF outside but leave them on 24x7.

[jesse]

100% here, we noticed about a $10.00 to $20.00 drop in our monthly utility bill.

jesse