I don't know about you, but I'd like to have a choice.

Energy saving bulbs aggravate skin conditions

Who wants their home to have the ambiance of a gas station? But there may be hope for people like me who hate those ghastly bulbs:

"No sooner had Australia and the EU said they would switch us to low-wattage compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) than General Electric, whose founder Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb 125 years ago, announced it has invented an energy-saving version of the ordinary incandescent lightbulb. The new bulb will be four times more efficient, putting it on a par with CFLs, which contain mercury as well as giving out a depressing kind of blueish light. The new GE bulbs will give out nicer light."

I went crazy buying them but................I'm not nuts about them.

I didn't like them at all. I had them outside, and at night they never gave off a good, bright, light.

They're okay. We modified our combination torchiere/gooseneck lamps to fit three compact fluorescents each, and they give off much more light than the overhead incandescent lights (although that may be the fault of the ancient overhead fixtures).

I do like the warmth of an incandescent bulb, though. And mercury is bad news.

Which one has mercury??? I like the look and feel of the incandescent bulbs but I think that with the "green" movement and energy crisis.......we're all going to be converting soon. Maybe they'll improve.

We have a few of them in hanging lamps with amber glass shades. Keeps the glow warm.

I've been replacing all our bulbs with them as they burn out. What drives me crazy is the non-recyclable packaging!

Also, folks, if you live near an IKEA they will take CFLs for recycling. CFLs should not be thrown into the regular trash due to the mercury.

I'll wait until the new, improved incandescents come out. Till then, I'm not buying those hideous fluorescents. My bulbs seem to last forever anyway. I use low wattage except for reading and in the kitchen and bathroom. Sets a nicer mood.

It's interesting that most people don't know the CFLs contain mercury. Imagine all of them in a landfill, polluting the water supply.

The fluorescents last longer and use less energy, but they have mercury in them (less mercury, treehugger.com will tell you, than a fever thermometer).

I have them, but hate them. I have poor eyesight, and my rooms never seem bright enough.

-Noelle

I hate fluorescents because I can detect the phase changes and they make me motion sick. I'm hoping to see LED alternatives widely available on the market soon. LEDs emit a great bright light. For desk use, I'm still a halogen fan.

Mr. Diva went bananas buying them about two years ago and I. hate. them. with a passion. One of these days I'm going to skulk around the house when he's not home and change them all back. I want my soft light back.

OH my gawd , the exact mirror of my life with Mister N , he went bonkers replacing everything whilst I simmered and plotted against these new lights.

Perhaps we can join forces in our diabolical scheme against these dastardly things.

Okay, you get the rope, the crowbar, and the sack. I'll get the masks and the new bulbs. Meet me in the alley at midnight. Tell no one.

My dad loves them too. He's always telling me to switch to them but I keep buying the regular incandescent bulbs that produce a nice white light.

We switched to the fluorescent 2 years ago & to be honest, we didn't see much savings on the electic bill - which was the Mr.'s reason for the switch.

I don't like them. They don't give enough light. Also, I think you shouldn't use them on older antique lamps, or rewired lamps.

Older antique lamps? Rewired lamps? BINGO! I'm saved! Because that's all we have! DH has been bugging me to start using those hideous curly flourescent bulbs he bought against my will about a year ago. Now I've got an excuse. I haven't even been willing to try them, not because I knew they were bad (this thread has been a revelation), but because something in my gut said "uglisimo."

They are quite common in Europe. We had them almost everywhere in our appartment and indeed they do save energy and some money. However 1) the light is really dim and depressing. We switched back to normal ones in our living room and it is sooooooooo much better now. Still fine in smaller rooms, restroom, corridor,... Quality of light may also depend on the brand. 2) they are supposed to outlive traditional light bulbs but it hasn't been our experience. However, if you read the label, extended life is "guaranteed" only if you use them on average 3 hours a day. 3) Last but not least, the selling price is much higher

I don't have them, but a neighbor across the courtyard does and seems to keep them turned on at all times, so the light shines directly into my office. Consequently, I have to keep the blinds drawn, especially at night.

For the same office, a couple of years ago, I bought two alleged full-spectrum lamps that are supposed to help seasonal affective disorder (depression due to less light in the winter). The light from the lamps was bery bright, white and clear and good for close work, but in general so unpleasant that I got rid of the lamps ASAP and replaced them with lamps that have yellow linen shades and incandescent bulbs. Now the room is cheerful, and so am I, as long as the blinds are closed.

I feel like I make pretty solidly pro-environment/conservation choices, but I cannot--will not--abide those bulbs. There has to be a better solution than the awful quality of light they produce. I wish I had the qualifications to work on that--I'd devote my golden years to it!

Instead, I "forgive" myself on the lightbulb issue and continue trying to be the best little green citizen I can be in other areas.

Yep. Thinking of taking some of mine OUT! There are some I keep and that's o.k. But..........those high hats are too bright!! Where's the dimmer???

OMG Alto I get it now ! I was a bit alarmed with the bag and crowbar but I see the genius of this cunning plan now!

Ah yes ,we put tie em up and put them in that special little room with the bare proper light bulb , glaring at them until they see the light , oh yes indeedy.

Everyone here has them. Asheville is the greenest of the green. Stores and eco-groups hand them out free at events. The high school students have a project to replace all the incandescents for those who can't afford the energy-saving bulbs. The light they emit is different, but what can you do? I understand filament bulbs will be a thing of the past within four years. Frankly, I prefer candles. Beeswax ones.

I found one of these in an overhead light fixture when I moved into my current place. I removed it and put in my low-watt bulbs (I hate overhead lights). I dug it out again when the light in my closet burned out... and yes, it is very dim and depressing, indeed. It also distorts the colors of the clothes in my closet. If I did not know better, I'd probably end up pairing brown pants (which look charcoal) with a grey sweater, were I to rely on that bulb.

Out it goes.

I think retail stores might protest using these, if that's the case. Can you imagine all the returns? The fluorescent lights they have now are bad enough. I can't wait for the new, improved incandescents. Given a choice, you know people will choose those and jettison the CFLs.

I detest both the fluorescent bulbs and the full-spectrum bulbs - the quality of light they give off is unappealing and unpleasant.

I though full spectrum mimicked sunlight. I was thinking of getting some.

Yes we use them and are encouraged to. They look dreadful in chandeliers, I can tell you.