Enegry-save bulbs need to big energy to start and to get warm enough to operate cost-effective as far as I know.
The Eu have banned inefficent lightbulbs that cost several times as much and last 1/5 the time.
just to clear things a bit. the lightbulbs i saw (and bought) are the regular design, but halogen. they are instant start and seem to give reasonable light.
those curlywurly lightbulbs are different. they give off crap light and cost even more. about 9 to 10zl
To read less (yes I have heard that it gives the same light as regular old ones, I am not that suggestible) ;)
i find that reading is more difficult with the more expensive, slow to get bright type of bulbs.