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Started replacing my old incandescents with CFLs a while ago. I have experimented with different types/designs and found the following:
The earliest types - the ones with 3 long 'u' shaped cfl tubes in them - are the least satisfactory. They take a while to light up and the light is quite harsh. They are, however, cheap.
Subsequent to this I bought some Phillips CFLs that look like bigger versions of incandescent globes - an opaque outside which means you can't see the actual CFL tubes. They take the longest time of all to fully light up, but they produce a much 'softer' light. The most expensive type of all.
More recently I have been using CFLs with the tubes twisted in a spiral. They are a similar size to incandescents. They light up virtually instantly and throw out a strong light similar in quality to incandescents. The ones I am using now are GEs, but other companies make them too.
One last point. I have a couple of light sockets where incandescent globes have traditionally struggled. Whether it is the wiring or some other problem, I was replacing globes 3 or more times a year. With CFLs I have yet to lose one, so they have almost paid for themselves on that count alone.
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