Compact Fluorescent Lights

We've recently installed CFLs in our house. While the energy savings of these units are one compelling reason for installing them, their longevity initially attracted me. I'd replaced a number of bulbs in the track light in my computer room, and was frustrateed by the frequency of replacement. While looking at options at the local hardware store, I found reflector-type CFLs that were similar in shape to the bulbs that were already in the track light. I replaced these about a year ago, and found them to be more than satisfactory. As other incandescent bulbs in long burning fixtures expired, they have been replaced with appropriate CFLs. In addition to the computer room (3), our hall (4), crawl space (4), basement suite (4), and kitchen (4) all are now using these bulbs. The next step is to address our porch lights, as they, too are lit for long periods of time, however, they have a motion sensor activated dimmer, and CFLs are not well adapted for that use.

Lastly, our local power utility offers to rebate 50% of the purchase cost of thes bulbs, so the combination of the rebate, and the energy savings should more than pay for the costs of acquisition.

Canadian Capitalist shares a similar view, and describes an Ottawa initiative to increase consumner awareness -- Project Porchlight