quote:
'florescent-that-look-like-incandescents, ' cost about 10 times as much as ordinary incandescent bulbs, last 15 times longer, and use about 1/10 the energy to operate
end quote
(sorry, I don't know how to do the cool quote box). Anyway, I use today's florescent that go in incandescent sockets. And they do not live up to the 10 times longer or even 5 times longer. But they are definitely more expensive. I don't have to worry so much about the mandatory thing because I'm in the US, but I was pretty annoyed at the first flors that I bought--some lasted a year, some two, but on the higher "wattage" ones, they weren't much better than a regular bulb, yet they cost oodles more.
I still use them quite often and thankfully the price has come down and I hope that the technology improves. My favorite thing about them is that they are cooler--because I am often sitting by a lamp when I read. My face used to actually turn red from the heat from the bulb (my husband would look over and move the lamp--I never knew this until I was married!)
Of course, I'd say, give the people the choice--but build better technology and it's an easy choice!!!
Maria
Sage: Tales from a Magical Kingdom