Has anyone used energy efficient light bulbs?

Do you save actual energy from using it?

They save me getting out the step ladders 8 times less often

They also didn't cost me a penny, the local PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. government were giving them away for free. A man turned up at my front door and handed me about half a dozen of them.

Ain't PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. great?!

I've been using compact fluorescents (CFLs) for years. Wouldn't use anything else. Better light for 20% of the juice.

Incandescent bulbs are really space heaters with a little light as a byproduct.

The CFLs available now have a nice colour light, start instantly, and they'll start up in very cold temperatures (below -20 C).

The only place I don't use a CFL is in my cold room (cold storage for potatoes, squash, and beer). The light is on for maybe 20 seconds at a time. CFLs don't like to be cycled on and off for very short periods; it reduces their lifespan.

CFLs, like other fluorescents, have a tiny dab of mercury in them. It's important to recycle them properly.

changed out about half of the lights in my moms house with the cfls and saved her about 20 dollars a month

how do you recycle these lights?
where does one take the bulb to recycling?

About 75%. The ones I've got give you 60 watts of light for 13 watts of power.

I collect mine in a big box along with other odds and ends (bits of electronics with lead, nicad batteries, unused paint, cleaners and solvents -- all the stuff I don't want to end up in the soil or water table).

Unless the glass is broken, the mercury is sealed inside, so there's no rush to deal with them.

Where you take them depends on your local jurisdiction. Some towns, counties, and small cities offer a "toxic roundup" once or twice a year. Larger cities may have permanent locations for collection of such items.

I think if you dig into the local phone book and call around, somebody will point you in the right direction.

I've heard many "big box" retailers will take them back if there is no other local option. But I can't swear to it.

Here is a site with precautions and warnings for the use of CFL's,

http://www.esainspection.net/pdf/Safety_Alerts/07-03-AL.pdf

I use them where possible. They do save energy (and money), but the main benefit for me is not needing to change them so often.