4 out of 272 million warrants an article?

FTA: A CFL uses electricity to heat an element in the lamp's base that excites the mercury vapor gas in the coils so that they emit light. When a CFL can no longer produce light, the electronics in its base will still try to function, sometimes leading to overheating, smoke and fire.

Maybe you should replace the bulb when it stops working? I'm just asking questions.

Bucky Katt: Maybe you should replace the bulb when it stops working?

You know how much these cost to replace?

soze: Nefarious: Bucky Katt: Maybe you should replace the bulb when it stops working?

You know how much these cost to replace?

$3, last time I looked. However, that was a few years ago as it has been for-freaking-ever since I went light bulb shopping due to the longevity of CFLs, so the mileage for the luddites who are bound to enter this thread may vary.

We're currently experimenting with one of the Phillips LED bulbs in the office. Works great, I just hate Soft White light temperature.

Truth. I have one set of lights in my house that are still incandescent. But that's only because they're on a dimmer and I haven't found CFLs that work well on a rheostat. Other than that, I haven't changed a light bulb in years.

pudding7: Truth. I have one set of lights in my house that are still incandescent. But that's only because they're on a dimmer and I haven't found CFLs that work well on a rheostat. Other than that, I haven't changed a light bulb in years

I'm no expert, but I do believe there are CFL's specifically made for dimmer switches.

I have dimmers in 2 rooms, but I haven't flipped them into CFL yet because they're nice light fixtures, and I really want to make sure I find a non-harsh CFL light.

I work for an environmental non-profit, I recycle like no other, I have a garden and a compost pile, I ride the bus or carpool to work, and I. can't. stand. CFLs.

I wanted to embrace them, I really did. Way back before the ban they were giving them out for free on my campus, and I grabbed 'em up and changed out everything in the house. But they give me awful effing headaches and I don't know why. I think there are at least 4 different types of CFLs in this house (I keep trying to find one I can stand), and the SO is pissed because I keep using the two lamps (and stove light) that happen to have old-school bulbs in them.

If that makes me a luddite, FINE. If that means less headaches-behind-the-eyes I'm fine with it.

/sigh
//my name is SLITG, and I don't like CFLs

I used to be really into the CFL stuff, but over the years reality has shown them to be far less than ideal.

I have had one physically catch fire, but thankfully went out when I cut the power, and at least two others start sparking/smoking enough to make me think that they were going to catch fire. All the others I have ever had have never lasted anywhere remotely close to their advertized lifespan. They often run very hot and discolor often. I am NOT gonna burn my house down to save $100 in electricity.

CFL's are a dead end technology. Too much stuff being crammed into too small a package. LED bulbs are gonna be the future. All the advantages of CFL with none of the downsides, other than perhaps cost. Just give them another decade or so. LED has effectively replaced incandescent in flashlights

In the early days of CF, I had one burn and nearly cause a house fire. The manufacturer removed every one I had and I sold my silence for some cash. Do NOT put them into fixtures that require them to be upside down when the manufacturer expected them to be installed with the light module on the upside.

AppleOptionEsc: Ah see, one instance of something bad happening. Time to reverse-ban cfl lightbulbs.

Or perhaps simply give the people the choice to chose what they want to use.

You can still light your home with kerosene or candles if you want to, but somehow an incandescent bulb is simply too much.

This is why real Americans use arc lighting in their houses.

radiobiz: StreetlightInTheGhetto:

If that makes me a luddite, FINE. If that means less headaches-behind-the-eyes I'm fine with it.

/sigh
//my name is SLITG, and I don't like CFLs

I feel your pain. I used to get nasty headaches in my office from the overhead fluorescents. Changed jobs and sorted that out.

We compromised at my house. Most of the table and floor lamps are on CFL's since we use them the most while the ceiling fixtures are still on incandescents. I'm just scheming of good ways to capture the mercury and have a little fun.

And I'm not a environmental freak either. Well here in Alabama I guess I am. We recycle AND have a compost pile. I don't have tires half buried at the end of the driveway though so I guess I'm missing out there.

I took the GRE in a place with those overhead florescents. Haven't seen them much since my temping days.

And one... kept flickering... and of course, there was no possible way I could block it from my line of view.

That was great.

/got used to it by the MC, kind of effed up the essay portion
//damn ETS

illusionofjoy: There are CFLs specifically made for dimmers. Depending on where you live, you may have to special-order them though.

I found a CFL replacement for a lamp with a three-way switch at my local hardware store

Yeah, I ordered all my CFLs online because I was replacing pretty much the entire house and got bulk discounts.

bravian: Not enough cash apparently.

Did I mention a manufacturer? That was the deal.

Hey, it's time for the weekly CFL thread. Has anyone mentioned yet that ALL incandescent bulbs are being banned by the Fartdingo administration in a disgusting display of Socialism that would make even Lenin sick to his stomach? And that they contain enough mercury to give everyone cancer in a 50-mile radius?

*gets popcorn and settles in*