I love these bulbs. I have slowly been changing everything over. My first bulb was over 7 years ago. I bought it to put in the basement (a light that goes on when the stair light is on), It’s still working. My husband thought it was a waste of money, a few months ago I pointed out that it was the same bulb. Needless to say he was amazed. A few years later I bought a 3 pack and 2 went in other basement rooms and 1 in the garage. The next bulbs I bought were for lamps. I thought I had everything covered until they started creating new bulbs. I’m now working on replacing all the ceiling fan bulbs (when they burn out of course.) I just discovered (today) that they now make bulbs for dimmer lights…this is exciting the last room in my basement will now be converted. They also make a 3 way bulb…this will take care of my last bulb for a lamp.

Now if I could only find a 1wt bulb to replace all the night light bulbs in I have in the décor lights all over my house. Sure the currant bulbs are only around 4-5 wt but they are always burning out since I never turn them off.

I haven’t noticed any “flickering” or flashing when they come on. When you first turn them on they are a little dim but in a few seconds after they “warm up” they are just as bright as other bulbs.

The saving is amazing. Just one ceiling fan use to use 160 wt (4 bulbs @ 40wt) now they use 28wt that is a savings of 132wt and when they are all changed over that will be savings of almost 400wts when they are all on…amazing! I use to unscrew a few bulbs to save energy in the ceiling fans but then it would be dark, now no need it’s even brighter with less energy.

With the rising cost of energy I’m all about saving money. I wish my town was a walker/biker friendly town with effective public transportation. But it’s not so both my husband and I will always have our car and truck…..I just love shelling out $3 bucks a gallon for gas!

I think a lot of the negative comments stem from lack of education. There are a variety of CFLs that do not have these negative traits people are complaining about. For one, try searching for "soft pink CFL" online. It is a perfect light to use and is flattering for any room. Two, try searching for dimmable CFL. Companies have been making them, people just don't want to put forth the effort into looking for them.

The mercury argument is a weak excuse. Mercury is also in any non-farm raised fish. We still eat that. And we've all been around fluorescent lights forever--malls, kitchens, offices, hospitals. They also contain the same mercury people are whining about. It all comes down to being careful and being educated. Learn how to dispose of these items. Be careful when handling light bulbs (any kind!). It's not like light bulbs spontaneously combust (okay, maybe on rare occasions, but really people!).

Another thing is, why are poeople so stubborn and selfish? This is your children's future planet we are talking about. I don't even plan on having kids ever and I'm still worried about the planet being destroyed.

People would rather not adapt to survive as the human race, and instead would like to continue with their own agenda in their own little world. Is this the twilight zone? How are we so spoiled and selfish that we don't even care about our own children and their quality of life.