Compact fluorescent lamp bulbs save energy and money but the spiral design can be limiting. That's a concern as Canada edges closer to ban on incandescent lights in 2012. So how do new CFL's measure up?

Randy Aubrecht really wanted to install CFL's throughout his home when it was being built, but he needed dimmable bulbs for certain fixtures.

"We wanted to put them in the kitchen, but they didn't have them so we couldn't do that, dining room, living room, "Aubrecht said.

Flash forward to today's CFLs. Dimmable ones are now available. So are CFLs you can use in three-way lamps. And there are new designs for chandeliers and candelabras. Consumer Reports tested 43 CFLs to find which work best for different fixtures.

"You should look for an energy-star-qualified CFL because ones we tested that were not energy-star-qualified didn't do so well," Consumer Reports' Jim Nanni said.

Take this Ikea porch bulb that does not carry the energy star. Five of the ten bulbs consumer reports tested burned out before 3000 hours - which most CFLs easily meet.

CFLs aren't ideal for every fixture. They're not good for staircases or other locations where you need instant light because they don't reach full brightness right away.

In one side by side test the incandescent light reached full brightness immediately, the CFL was ridiculously slow getting there. It took a full three minutes to brighten! And when it comes to dimmable CFLs, Consumer Reports doesn't have great news for homeowners like Randy. The dimmable CFLs tested just go out, versus actually dimming like a regular bulb.

Consumer Reports does recommend the GE Energy Smart is a very good spiral CFL and the GE Energy Smart flood light is a very good choice for an indoor reflector.

CFLs contain a small amount of mercury so they need to be recycled - not thrown in the trash. Some stores will take used CFLs back for recycling including Home Depot, London Drugs, some Canadian Tires, Rona and local building stores around most of BC .There are still a few gaps but it's improving.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen.