Compact fluorescent bulbs are commonplace these days, but making them work with dimmer switches can be a challenge. Even "dimmable" CFLs have had problems with flickering, reduced dimming range and a shortened life span. Fortunately, companies like Lutron now offer dimmers specifically designed for this type of high-efficacy lighting.
The new line of Lutron C·L dimmers (which run about $30 each) have been redesigned to better accommodate the way CFLs and LEDs emit light, which is very different from that of incandescents. In addition to dimmable CFLs and LEDs, these dimmers also work with standard halogen and incandescents, providing great flexibility. They cost about $10 more than their incandescent-only counterparts, but a worthwhile upgrade considering the lifespan of CFLs and LEDs.
Lutron also offers lamp dimmers (above image) for lights that aren't wired to a switch. They cost about $10 and could be a great solution for rentals.
The dimmers can be found at large chains like The Home Depot and online retailers such as Amazon.com. For a complete list of compatible CFL and LED bulbs, click here.
(Images: Lutron)
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I have had one of these for about 2-3 months although it works as promised I have had to replace 2 CFLs... the CF24EL/TWIST/DIM... strange right?
@isaachuffman, that is strange. Did you check to see if that particular bulb is on their list of compatible products? Also, I remember reading that the dimmer has a small wheel behind the face plate that you can adjust per the particular wattage of bulb that you're using. I'm not sure if that would be causing the short life span of the bulbs, but it might be worth looking into.