CFLs use up to 75% less energy then a standard incandescent light bulb and last about 10 times longer. Over the past few years my wife and I have switched out must of the incandescents for CFLs and are quite happy with the result. Apparently quite a few people aren’t happy with the light they put out and with the short warm up time they need to reach full brightness. I don’t mind the light at all, but will admit it’s not quite as nice as light from an incandescent. As far as the warm up time that doesn’t bother me at all. Check out this story over at NPR’s Marketplace about CFLs and why some people don’t like them and some advances that are making CFLs better. HERE