Mark Jaccard, a Professor of Environmental studies and energy economist,
here in Canada, did a study on cf bulbs - and being keen on doing his bit- switched over all his lights.

At the time the cf bulbs were quite a bit more pricey so he worked out that he would just about break even in several years. But he managed to break one getting out of the car (so much for breaking even)- then the kids knocked over a couple of lights, and then he found they gradually disappeared and his wife admitted she hated the lights from the bulbs and they ended up being mostly filed away in drawers.

The only problem with energy efficient appliances is that they are effective if people dont end up using more energy. ie. get a new fridge but put the old one in the basement and get a wine cooler or a water cooler. Big Screen tvs, more track lighting etc..

But they are planning to implement this in AUstralia and Canada too.