How much does it cost to run an energy saving bulb?

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  • Poppy9
    Poppy9 Posts: 18,833
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    I don't use ES bulbs on my dimmer lights as I had read somewhere you shouldn't. I do use them on lamps which I plug into electronic timers when we are on holiday and they work fine. I only have the problem with the one in the hallway. I will replace it tomorrow with another ES bulb and see if that is okay. It may just be a faulty bulb.
    :) ~Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.~:)
  • Rusty!
    Rusty! Posts: 2,076
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    Poppy9 wrote: »
    I don't use ES bulbs on my dimmer lights as I had read somewhere you shouldn't. I do use them on lamps which I plug into electronic timers when we are on holiday and they work fine. I only have the problem with the one in the hallway. I will replace it tomorrow with another ES bulb and see if that is okay. It may just be a faulty bulb.
    You can get 'special' dimmable CFL bulbs now, I've got one and it works great.
  • OK here is one to throw in.

    Hi Brite White LEDs powered from Solar Panels. Seems the technology is already there, but the greenwash industry is set up to flog off mercury filled ES bulbs.
    http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/2008/04/17/41947/led-technology-white-leds.htm
  • OK here is one to throw in.

    Hi Brite White LEDs powered from Solar Panels. Seems the technology is already there, but the greenwash industry is set up to flog off mercury filled ES bulbs.
    http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/2008/04/17/41947/led-technology-white-leds.htm

    Not quite right. Govt subsidies on CFLs are due to end later this year now manufacturing costs have been reduced and discussions are already underway to switch the funds to LED light sources.

    Its funny but as consumers we never learn. All products have a natural commercial life. They start as high cost, high end professional products and end as low cost consumer items with many other steps in between.

    The problems start when companies and individuals try to rush technology too quickly from one sector to another. The result.... complaints and cynacism engulf perfectly good products that just needed a little more time to develop.

    I would like to think that those currently slagging off CFLs are not the same people trying to run before they can walk with LEDs.
  • oldwiring
    oldwiring Posts: 2,452
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    Rusty! wrote: »
    You can get 'special' dimmable CFL bulbs now, I've got one and it works great.
    Are they generally available from the usual outlets? A while ago doing a google led me to think they were specialist and quite expensive in comparison with the usual ES bulbs.

    As to the ESs in general I think there is a way to go in minaturisation: many lounge fitments take small bulbs such as golfballs. ESs would look entirely inappropriate.
  • oldwiring wrote: »
    Are they generally available from the usual outlets? A while ago doing a google led me to think they were specialist and quite expensive in comparison with the usual ES bulbs.

    As to the ESs in general I think there is a way to go in minaturisation: many lounge fitments take small bulbs such as golfballs. ESs would look entirely inappropriate.

    There are all-sorts available, but possibly not yet at a price that a domestic user could justify.

    Like I said.... slowly slowy catchee monkey ;)
  • Sirbendy
    Sirbendy Posts: 537
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    LEDS are good, bordering on very good indeed...but they're VERY directional, even my 60degree homebuild LED lamps aren't as good a "room illuminator" as a CFL. Bright, yes. Enough to see by? Oh yes. Painful to look at, indeed..but they're not quite there yet.

    Even jems cree torch, while it is STUPIDLY bright, would only really work as a spotlamp.

    I have a BC cap 24 LED lamp - I used to use it at mums on a timer to light the way to the guineapig cage at night. Here I can use it for room lighting, but by god it's dim. It'd make a good reading light.

    I also have a battery powered 8 led beside reading flexi-light..much newer than the 24 led bulb..and it's a damn sight brighter. Too bright almost. It lights the bedroom to a subdued level most effectively.

    I love LEDs - if you google "joule thief", you'll find the circuits I play with that allow me to run several white ones at high brightness from batteries too dead to do anything else, for several hours at least. They make ACE emergency low-level room/stairs/bathroom lighting.

    I personally use them because as much as I like the ambience provided by candles, with cats about I need something safe, as well as a bit brighter.

    The technology is fast developing though..I'm watching it with interest. I have a solar charged, LED based PIR lamp that's nice and effective...that said, I also have a small solar setup charging a car battery, that I use to run an AA/AAA battery charger, charge my phones etc, and eventually to run a small inverter to allow me to smile in a power outage.

    Got to love technology..;)
  • Rusty!
    Rusty! Posts: 2,076
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    oldwiring wrote: »
    Are they generally available from the usual outlets? A while ago doing a google led me to think they were specialist and quite expensive in comparison with the usual ES bulbs.

    As to the ESs in general I think there is a way to go in minaturisation: many lounge fitments take small bulbs such as golfballs. ESs would look entirely inappropriate.
    Sure are, I picked mine up from B&Q. Wasn't with the rest of the bulbs though, for some reason.
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