Light switches that light up when the main light is off can cause problems with CFLs. Illuminated light switches work by passing some of the current through the switch to light it up when the switch is off, and that tiny amount of current also passes through to the bulb. With an old-school incandescent bulb there's no problem, because there's not enough current for the bulb to fire. But some CFLs are sensitive to even small amounts of current, and can flicker when the switch is off. Besides being annoying, this can also potentially burn out the CFL bulbs faster. Solution: Either use regular (non-illuminated) wall switches, or use LED light bulbs. (More from Will Nicholes. Also worth noting is that a master electrician thinks that CFL flicker on a lighted switch is abnormal and that any CFL flicker means there's actually a wiring problem. )
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