Dimmer-friendly CFLs (Compact Fluorescent light bulbs)

[Dogmudgeon]

Edited for typos

Years ago (circa 1980), I convinced most of my family members to control as many of their lights as possible with dimmers. I heard it on good authority that they always use less energy, not just because you can turn them down, but because the circuitry includes a half-wave rectifier, which automatically cut down the current and voltage.

Now that CFLs are out, we would like to switch over, but none of them are dimmable. I do understand that dimmable CFLs exist, but the don't sell them in the stores I've seen.

Can anyone suggest a retail chain or a good on-line store that sells dimmable CFLs?

Thanks!

--p!

[Warpy]

1. Incandescent dimmers won't work for CFLs

and that's the bottom line. You'll have to replace the dimmers.

Steve66 describes the difference: http://www.mikeholt.com/cgi-bin/codeforum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=002648;p=

These folks make 'em: http://www.twacomm.com/catalog/dept_id_1198.htm

They are far pricier than off the shelf dimmers because of the way they work, but nobody said going green was going to be cheap and easy all the time.

[bullimiami]

2. dimmable cfls

http://www.thegreenguide.com/blog/freshfinds/340

for starters

[rockyandmax]

3. All you have to do is google

Dimmable CPF and you will find them.

[OKIsItJustMe]

6. I've bought them at Lowes

However, here's a Google search which produces good results:
http://www.google.com/search?q=dimmable+compact+fluorescent

[Canuckistanian]

4. I can buy them off the shelf here in Canada

I really don't understand why the US is so behind in this.

[hunter]

5. They've got them at Home Depot here.

Could be a California thing.