NewMexiKen was looking for information on using CFLs with dimmers and found a whole bunch of stuff we all should know as we make the move to Dairy Queen lights.
FAQs: Compact Fluorescent: Lighting
You are phasing out those incandescent bulbs, aren’t you? If every one of the 110 million American households replaced just one 60-watt bulb, the energy saved would be enough to provide power for 1.5 million people.
Here in New Mexico, PNM is offering rebates on CFLs. I noticed bulbs were particularly inexpensive (after the rebate) at Costco. And the rebate is at the register, not some nonsense you have to mail in.
But read the FAQs. Use of CFLs is tricky in some instances (recessed lighting for example).
I’ve had reasonably good luck with CFLs in recessed fixtures. I have seen a life span about 1/3 of the advertised value, but at Costco instant rebate prices it definitely makes economic sense even with life reduction.
Wikipedia has a list of bulbs for reflectors and dimmable CFLs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp
One concern is mercury at end of life if not disposed of correctly. While CFLs should be disposed of correctly coal fired power plants are the largest man-made source of environmental mercury.
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf
You will probably be disappointed with dimmable CFLs. I wrote about my experiences here: http://www.greginthedesert.net/files/03F3E86E-C0CD-4995-B3AD-7959BA046C54-120.html mostly related to home automation.