Energy Saving Lightbulbs

RHemmings

We've been buying energy saving lightbulbs to save the environment. They're supposed to last for years and save energy. But, we find that they just keep on blowing.

Have other people had similar experiences? Is it because I'm buying the wrong type of bulbs? Could it be because the electrics in this house are dodgy? (certainly plausible )

paulfarmer

Yes they are useless

zenseeker

Energy saving bulbs are a con, they last nowhere near as long as they are supposed too!

I have a traditional bulb in a well used room, and it has out lasted at least 4 energy saving bulbs in the adjacent, and equally as well used room!

Plus here's a little thing to mull over...energy saving bulbs are more destructive to the environment than standard bulbs because of all the extra manufacturing process involved in making the bulky plastic collars they come with, plus those plastic collars aren't going to bio-degrade any time soon, they'll be in the ground for centuries, long after an old style bulb would have degraded completely.

Oh, and all that mercury (small amounts per bulb, but all adds up) that gets released into the soil, and eventually the water table, is going to cause a time bomb health problem in the decades to come.

By trying to save the world (which arguably doesn't need saving, it is better left to take care of it's self), we are doing a pretty good job of screwing it up :rolleyes:

badmumof1

I can honestly say I have never had any problems with them blowing.
I used to buy candle bulbs, 4 to go in the centre light in the living room, 3 to go in centre light in hall and 3 to go in centre light upstairs landing and a couple of single ones for lamps.
I was fed up with every couple of months having to buy new ones because they either blew or went yellow rather quickly. Admittidly I bought the cheap ones from the pound shop.
Since changing to ES lights about 2 years ago I have never had to replace. I have them in very room of the house except the bathroom kitchen and sons room as they are all dreadful GU10 expensive bulbs. We did buy the LED GU10 for my sons room but they are so weak they are not worth spending for the rest of the rooms we have GU10 fittings for.

halfpint90

we have energy saving bulbs in all our lights apart from the strip light in the kitchen (that will change when we re do the kitchen)
and i think in the last 3 and half years we've only changed 1 bulb!!

chalkysoil

Half my lightbulbs are energy saving and we've never replaced one since they started giving them away free/cheap (3 years ago?)

I'm wondering if they'll work in the outside PIR lights. Anyone tried?

TaBunny

Energy saving lightbulbs are pants, you'd get more light from a glow worm, bring back 100 watt bulbs is what I say, it gets my goat we have energy saving forced down our throats when Vegas and the London Eye to name but 2, are lit up like a runway 24/7

TaBunny

zenseeker wrote: »

By trying to save the world (which arguably doesn't need saving, it is better left to take care of it's self), we are doing a pretty good job of screwing it up :rolleyes:

:beer::T:beer::T:j:j:T:beer::T:beer:

HERE HERE at last someone who makes sense

Ben84

We're still using several energy savers from the early 90s, but most of our bulbs are about 5-6 years old on average. I've had one or two fail, but so far they all seem to be regularly outlasting their expected life span.

halfpint90

TaBunny wrote: »

Energy saving lightbulbs are pants, you'd get more light from a glow worm, bring back 100 watt bulbs is what I say, it gets my goat we have energy saving forced down our throats when Vegas and the London Eye to name but 2, are lit up like a runway 24/7

I have to say i disagree with this, i think it really depends on the type you use, my hobby is doing cross stitch, in which you need a good light and the light i use has an evergy bulb in it and it gives off a great amount of light.
you do have to wait a few mins for it to get to full brightness, but i would say they are far from dim !!!