Low Energy Lighting Outdoors

ndbruton

I'm shopping around for an outside light fitting, and have noticed that some are marketed specifically as low energy outdoor light fittings. My question is does an outdoor light need to be purpose made in order to use a low energy bulb or could I just stick a low energy bulb into a 'normal' outdoor light fitting? Can't understand why this wouldn't work, my thoughts at the moment are that this is just a marketing thing, but if somebody could clear this up for me I would be grateful!

Thanks

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I bought 2 great solar security lights from Netto. They were about £12 each. Have seen the same ones online for £30 each.

The lights are bright enough and have a sensor on them too. They can be set to come on when it gets dark, or set when someone goes near, they can even be switched off altogether.

Altarf

Some low energy bulbs do not work well at low temperatures such as outside in winter, either failing to 'start' or giving lower light output. Also some low energy bulbs have a much shorter life if installed 'base up' (i.e. the bulb is hung downwards) which is how a lot of outside lights are designed.

ndbruton

Thanks for the replies. Now another poser for people if known - are there any other options people know about for replacing K7 linear halogens? I've found the following so far:

http://www.lamps2udirect.com/pages/fullProd.php/24-watt-R7s-Compact-Fluorescent-Flood-Lamp-Bulb/66987

Thanks for more opinons/advice.

ailuro2

Low energy bulbs use the same power as other lamps in the first minute of use.

What we have are night sky-friendly lights, that only shine downwards so don't contribute to light pollution of the night sky, but they have a normal 100W halogen in them,have sensors on them so they only come on when someone walks past, and stay on for about 20 seconds (long enough for to open the door)

Cheaper to run than going out and leaving a light on all the time.

Altarf

MyGreenLighting wrote: »

In any case, you're right in saying that if you're light is only on for a few seconds, then using a low energy lamp wouldn't save you all that much in terms of electricity usage.

More importantly, if you repeatedly turn a CFL on and then off after a short period of time its lifespan is greatly diminished. Figures I have seen quoted are a 20% drop in lifespan if the 'on period' is one hour, a 70% drop for 15 minutes, and an 85% drop for 5 minutes.

hardpressed

Altarf wrote: »

Some low energy bulbs do not work well at low temperatures such as outside in winter, either failing to 'start' or giving lower light output. Also some low energy bulbs have a much shorter life if installed 'base up' (i.e. the bulb is hung downwards) which is how a lot of outside lights are designed.

Is that really right that some low energy bulbs have a shorter life if installed 'base up'? If so it would mean that they are only suitable for table lamps not lights hanging from the ceiling. I have them in all my hanging light fitting, am I wasting my time trying to be green?

Altarf

Altarf wrote: »

More importantly, if you repeatedly turn a CFL on and then off after a short period of time its lifespan is greatly diminished.

MyGreenLighting wrote: »

If I'm honest, I'm not sure about that. If it's true then I've not experiences it personally

If you were turning the light on and off within an hour, then there is no way that you could perceive the 20% reduction in lifespan from 8000 to 6400 hours.

Even if you turned the light on and off within 5 minutes 10 times a day and reduced its lifespan to 1200 hours, when it went phut after 4 years you probably wouldn't think that it should have lasted 26 years.

hardpressed wrote: »

Is that really right that some low energy bulbs have a shorter life if installed 'base up'?

Yes, but those that shouldn't be installed 'base up' should inform you in the instructions on the box that this is the case, although some only inform you by showing what they are to be used for, rather than what they are not. e.g. they will show that they can be used in table lamps, but not show pendant lamps. If it is a cheapo 'no-brand' one, and then it probably won't show anything.