re: How Long Do Flourescent Bulbs Typically Last?

My uncle, a master electrician, said that the CFL bulbs are notorious for having poor reliability. No one gets anywhere near the advertised usage time. He started writing the dates on them just to prove it.

Supposedly you can get a refund, but no one ever does it.

The higher cost upfront is supposed to be offset by the energy savings AND extended life of the bulb. Having to frequently replace them defeats the purpose.