Afew question about CFL bulbs and banning incandecent light bulbs?

1. You can use CFLs in recessed receptacles. I have several in the basement. There are also CFL flood-style bulbs that can be used in track-lighting and recessed sockets. It's true that most CFLs can't be on a dimmer circuit. LED bulbs are dimmable. They cost more but use even less energy than CFLs and last longer. On one circuit that I converted to CFL, I just replaced the dimmer switch with a conventional on/off light switch.

2. CFLs aren't well-suited for cold/warm locations like a fridge or dryer. When they are cold, they emit little light until they warm up, which they wouldn't have a chance to do in a fridge application. In a dryer, the heat would likely damage the balast. I believe specialty appliance bulbs for appliances will still be available in incandescent or halogen types, or you could explore the use of LED bulbs. CFLs should work fine in a chandelier, as long as it isn't on a dimmer. You may also explore LEDs for a chandelier--they are available in smaller, more decorative bulb styles.

Buy a special designed dimmer for CF L's. There are several base designs for CFL to fit in many different locations.

As for fridge, stove and so on, incandescent bulbs are here to stay. At least for now.

LED has a long way to come before I will such big $ for so little light. Even though it will last forever.

SL

1. Use dimmable CFLs (or even better, skip over CFLs and go directly to LEDs - in that case, also the dimmable versions). Same for recessed receptacles - just chose the ones that do fit.

2. No, No, No, Yes. For LEDs, it's Yes, sometimes, sometimes, Yes.