Just a few years ago when these light bulbs were becoming mainstream, it was really a toss up between spending the money for one of these or just getting a couple of dozen incandescent bulbs instead. But as sales of these new fangled bulbs increased, prices began to drop. And as of the day you read this article, it has now become more cost effective to stop using a regular bulb and switch over to energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Whoever switches to compact fluorescents will save, perhaps, hundreds of dollars per year in electrical costs, depending on usage. Those are solid savings, to be sure. But you cannot see it in your pocket, and you never will unless you calculate the savings bill by bill. To see the dollar signs I mention above, you would need to add up the money over the course of the year!
In reality, it was always more cost effective to switch over, since CFLs last about 10 to 12 times longer than a regular incandescent bulb. The problem has always been between pocket money and saving money.
The biggest advantage to these bulbs is this. You can get these in package deals for less than 3 bucks a bulb, and they will last for years without needing to be replaced. So, you won't have to change them as often, and that's the biggest advantage. Why...? Well, believe it or not, there are several hundred confirmed injuries every year resulting from someone changing a light bulb (particularly the bulbs that need to be reached by either a step stool or a ladder). I mean, let's face it folks, if you change a standard light bulb 2 or 3 times a year on a ladder or stool, imagine changing that same bulb once every 4 or 5 years. You can see where I am going with this.
You see, I use CFLs, and they involve less hassle. I rarely change them, and since they save me both time and money, these bulbs are the right choice for this guy!
Source: BecauseAction.com
