Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) lasted five to six times longer?8,000 to 12,000 hours?than comparable incandescent bulbs and consumed 75% less energy. By July 2008, prices had fallen as low as $2 or so per bulb, compared with $0.25 for standard bulbs. But manufacturers had yet to crack the code on how to get consumers to choose these innovative energy-efficient light bulbs over standard bulbs.