Buy a new fixture. make sure it has a GOOD electronic ballast. Why so specific? Because cheap shoplights often have lousy magnetic ballasts that last 2 or 3 months and then blow out. Cheap electronic ballasts generate so much RF noise that they bleed in on your phone line or cause your computer to fail to link to a wireless network. Fluorescent bulbs are rated for number of hours of use. If you are getting significantly less hours from the bulbs, then either the bulbs you are buying are bad, the ballast is bad in the fixture, or you are getting electrical spikes on your incoming service. Most bulbs will be rated for 8000 hours or above, caveat that some specialty bulbs will be much less. If you are using bulbs rated at 15,000 hours and are getting roughly 500 hours from them, then it is time to fix the problem. I had a problem a couple of years ago with erratic electricity. The lights were flickering and appliances such as the microwave would spike up and down both audibly and visually. I went out and looked at my power service wires. We had a severe electrical storm a few days before. Lightning had hit the lines and arced from my service loop to a nearby tree limb. The ground lead had burned out a section about a foot long. I'm not saying you have a problem this serious, but if you are having significant light flickering or erratic operation of appliances like a microwave, then you should definitely call the power company. DarJones

Bulb life can be easily extended by running at a lower voltage in a vibration free environment. The problem is that the light output is also reduced.

There is a good variety of compact fluorescent bulbs available. Presumably, these stand up well to vibrations. I have good luck with them in ceiling fans. Some have lasted 6 years, even with regular use. Plus, you can save energy. Just watch the prices. Sometimes you can get good deals, sponsored by POCO's (National Grid in my area.) I bought some 12W CF bulbs for 50 cents each at True Value a few weeks ago. Here is a link that might be useful: Energy Star Lights

Hey gargigg, LED bulbs are certainly becoming more popular for residential uses but, better would be a matter of personal preference really. While LEDs are generally more efficient, produce less heat, and have longer life spans than traditional incandescent styles, the technology is typically sold at higher price points. Of course, the savings benefits on electric bills and the long life spans does indeed make LEDs worth the investment. RL hit the nail on the head with color temperature; if you wanted the LEDs to match the warm white light of your existing bulbs, the best choice would be 2700K. This color temperature is the most preferred for indoor and outdoor residential applications. -Evan (Liaison)