I've equipped 4 homes completely with CFL bulbs -- every single bulb but the oven, range hood, and refrigerator. Home #1 was in '99. I usually buy whatever is

I've equipped 4 homes completely with CFL bulbs -- every single bulb but the oven, range hood, and refrigerator. Home #1 was in '99. I usually buy whatever is a good deal at Wal Mart and whatever major hardware store is nearest, trying small batches until I find a color/temp in a bulb that I like. I've had maybe a dozen bulbs fail during that time, including dumb breakage. And we run these things hard, often 8-to-12 hours a day in some of the living spaces in winter. Whenever I see CFL threads, there's always some who claim they never last long. I don't know what these folks do to their bulbs, but for me they've lasted many, many years. Certainly long enough to pay for themselves in savings over incandescents -- and then some.