Compact fluorescent bulbs

what is your opinion on Compact fluorescent bulbs?

Well, I really don't know for sure the claims are true, but I've outfitted most of my house with them anyway under the assumption that they really do save 75%-80% on energyu costs. Most;y though, I've done this as the old bulbs burn out rather than being proactive about it.

personally I think their jolly. they lite up a room

They consume a lot less electricty and last longer. On the down side, the color spectrum of many of them isn't brilliant (but the newer ones are better), and you can't use them with dimmers.

I like them to, but the only thing I was wondering about was if they were still better than regular ones since they have mercury in them?

They do have mercury, but only very small quantities. If properly disposed of, it's fine. Even if not properly disposed of, the impact is actually less than powering traditional lightbulbs if your power is supplied by coal energy, since coal plants emit mercury too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mercury_emissions_by_light_source_%28en%29.svg

thanks.