   
What is a Compact Fluorescent Bulb?
CFL's (Compact Fluorescent Lamps, or bulbs), also known and advertised as "energy saving bulbs," are bulbs that are designed to fit in standard bulb sockets. They have a much longer life span than that of incandescent bulbs (6,000-15,000 hours, as opposed to incandescent bulbs' 750-1000 hours). Although they cost slightly more than incandescent bulbs (costing up to 4x that of a regular package of incandescent), they do save more than the old bulbs...not only because you'll be replacing them much less often, but because they are designed for greater energy efficiency.
According to EnergyStar, compact fluorescent bulbs consume 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and they last about 10x longer. Compared to incandescent lamps of the same luminous flux, CFL's have a longer rated life and use less energy. A CFL can save over US$30 in electricity costs over the lamp's lifetime compared to an incandescent lamp and save 2000 times their own weight in greenhouse gases. The initial purchase price of a CFL is higher than an incandescent lamp of the same output, although this cost may be quickly recouped in energy savings assuming average lamp use.
There are different sizes and shapes of these bulbs for various lighting situations. You're not stuck with the spiral shape, if you don't fancy it...so, pick up a traditional incandescent shaped, globe shaped, or flat-head shaped bulb.
You might be wondering how in the world compact fluorescent's work in comparison to the incandescent bulbs we grew up with.
Incandescent Bulbs produce light by using electricity to heat a filament (that really small wire that breaks when a bulb blows/burns out) which glows and produces light when it is hot. As much as 90% of the energy that incandescent bulbs use is lost through the heat created by the filament.
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs are a gas filled tube that uses a chemical reaction to produce light. The chemical reaction requires much less energy to produce light and thus creates very little heat.
So Compact Fluorescent Bulbs use less electricity and create less heat to produce the same light of an Incandescent Bulb.
Color Temperature Scale
 10,000K - A very high CCT used in horticulture and aquarium applications.
6,000-6,500K - A high CCT daylight source used to simulate average outdoor light conditions.
5,000K - Enhances blues, dulls reds, and imparts a bluish tint to whites and greens. Used mainly in museums, jewelry stores, and hospitals.
3,700K-4,000K - Neutral colored light. Enhances colors equally without emphasizing yellow or blue. Used mainly in showrooms, bookstores, and office areas.
3,000K-3,200K - Most commonly used in homes but also in libraries, office areas, and retail stores.
2,700K - Used in restaurants, hotel lobbies, boutiques, and homes.
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