wilkes

might i add when i bought them they had a life of approx 8 years per the package, all of them lasted around 7 years but the two i have now that are still burning strong. so i think all in all I got my monies worth and at the time, they were like $10 a bulb if not more, I remember it was a pain buying them then.

they have no more mercury in them than a themometer. Perhaps the fact that some are made in China is the reason for their failure rates being so high? when i first started using them 11 years ago, I bought GE brand and I still have 2 of them! still burning strong, they are yellow around the edges from all the use, but I still have 2 left. Higher brand names tend to be more reliable.

I got mine from their website. We did not get a letter. I guess because we have paperless billing.

I got mine a while back. They are supposed to last longer than regular bulbs. That has not been the case. I have already had to replace several. I like the new bulbs, but they are expensive.

They work great, very bright as well. Much brighter than regular bulbs as far as I can tell.

ive gotten them a couple of time 15 at a time and i share them with my non duke energy friends.

got mine today

I've already received 2 boxes in the mail from Duke containing probably 15 or 20 bulbs... it's a good thing.

I got a letter today and i called and i get 15 light bulbs.I think that is great.As much that i have to pay i need to get something free.

They need to give out somthing free..Being that I pay out the butt for power!!

I got my free bulbs from Duke power two months ago...wish they would send me some more. I guess if you like the old bulbs that burn out in no time, and use more electricity...stockpile away.

This page presents only the most important steps to reduce exposure to mercury vapor from a broken bulb. View the detailed recommendations. Before cleanup Have people and pets leave the room.Air out the room for 5-10 minutes by opening a window or door to the outdoor environment. Shut off the central forced air heating/air-conditioning system, if you have one.Collect materials needed to clean up broken bulb: stiff paper or cardboard;sticky tape;damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes (for hard surfaces); anda glass jar with a metal lid or a sealable plastic bag. During cleanup Be thorough in collecting broken glass and visible powder.Place cleanup materials in a sealable container. After cleanup Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of properly. Avoid leaving any bulb fragments or cleanup materials indoors.If practical, continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the heating/air conditioning system shut off for several hours.Actions You Can Take to Prevent Broken Compact Fluorescent Light BulbsAlways switch off and allow a working CFL bulb to cool before handling.Always handle CFL bulbs carefully to avoid breakage. If possible, screw/unscrew the CFL by holding the plastic or ceramic base, not the glass tubing.Gently screw in the CFL until snug. Do not over-tighten.Never forcefully twist the glass tubing. Do not install CFLs in table lamps and floor lamps that can be easily knocked over, in unprotected light fixtures, or in lamps that are incompatible with the spiral or folded shape of many CFLs.Do not use CFL bulbs in locations where they can easily be broken, such as play spaces.Use CFL bulbs that have a glass or plastic cover over the spiral or folded glass tube, if available. These types of bulbs look more like incandescent bulbs and may be more durable if dropped.Consider using a drop cloth (e.g., plastic sheet or beach towel) when changing a fluorescent light bulb in case a breakage should occur. The drop cloth will help prevent mercury contamination of nearby surfaces and can be bundled with the bulb debris for disposal.

i love those bulbs and yes they do save money! writer, you had one that was a failure I can't tell you the times growing up and as an adult I would be packs of the regular bulbs and have 1 or more not working. So criticizing the new bulbs makes no sense. when the failure rate of the old bulbs were much higher!

we got ours friday

I ordered mine on line and got them in about a week. Free bulbs, what's the problem.

We got 'em, and one didn't work when we put it in. Great bulbs. NOT!!!!

I am stock piling REAL light bulbs that you can actually see to read by.

Besides, I don't have to call in a HASMAT team if I should break one.

Made in China, and has mercury in them.

House voting to repeal the ban on old light bulbs, but Senate won't pass it probably, and the do nothing Obama won't sign it anyway, so I'm hoarding.

yes, we got eighteen of them several months ago, & we really enjoy them; they've really helped bring down our light bill!

Got ours last week also....only took about a week and a half to get them.

I haven't received anything about free light bulbs. I go through bulbs all the time. I leave lights on in other rooms since I don't like to go into a dark room.