energy saving light bulbs

scotty8_2

hello all, not sure if this is the right place to post this topic but i couldnt find a better option!
anyway, to the point, is it worth buying energy saving light bulbs for an entire house? (roughly 22 bulbs)
how much is this likely to save per annum?
and finally what is the best wattage bulb to buy?

thank you for any help you can give me!

scotty

moonrakerz

Yes, they are well worth buying !
A standard 100W tungsten filament lamp, costing 20p or so, has a life of about 1000 hrs
A low energy lamp, costing £2 for a good one, giving the same light output uses only 20W and will last for about 8000 hrs.

Over 8000 hrs a low energy lamp will use 8000 X 20 Watts = 160kWh @ 8p = £12.8 plus £2 for the lamp = £14.80.
A conventional bulb will use 8000 X 100 = 800kWh @ 8p =£64 plus £1.60 for 8 lamps = £65.60.

The government prattles on about saving energy - they should ban the sale of tungsten filament lamps - this would save huge amounts of electricity. They could probably shut down several power stations as a result. Why don't they ? because electricity sales would fall, as would the profits of the electricity companies.
Ooops - I'm being cynical again !

A couple of minor disadvantages -They are not available in the same range of shapes and sizes as tungsten filament lamps and they do take a few minutes to come up to full brilliance.

If you look on the box it will tell you what low energy lamps equate to what conventional lamp.

Weymouth_Man

scotty8 wrote:

hello all, not sure if this is the right place to post this topic but i couldnt find a better option!
anyway, to the point, is it worth buying energy saving light bulbs for an entire house? (roughly 22 bulbs)
how much is this likely to save per annum?
and finally what is the best wattage bulb to buy?

thank you for any help you can give me!

scotty

Have you had a look at Robert Dyas

http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10051&storeId=10001&productId=65385&langId=-1

shammyjack

scotty8 wrote:

hello all, not sure if this is the right place to post this topic but i couldnt find a better option!
anyway, to the point, is it worth buying energy saving light bulbs for an entire house? (roughly 22 bulbs)
how much is this likely to save per annum?
and finally what is the best wattage bulb to buy?

thank you for any help you can give me!

scotty

Nettos do 18watt Phillips = to 100watt standard bulbs at 49p each so it would cost you less than £11 to do your whole house !

shammy

elliebean_2

Moonrakerz' post is pretty convincing evidence. I must admit I was quite cynical when I started using energy saving light bulbs, but I've noticed a significant difference in our electricity bills as a result and wouldn't go back to using standard ones now. If you like a fairly bright light, ie to be able to read by, go for the 20w ones (equivalent to 100w).

Cardew

I have been extremely unlucky with the life of some Long lasting bulbs. I initially bought some expensive Osram bulbs and they didn't last that long. These were the 'conventional' bulb shape as opposed to the '3 tube type'

I eventually complained to Osram. They require you to return the bulb to them(for research they claim) and they send you a replacement.

I did one but it was such a trouble to do so(as it is no doubt intended to be) that I didn't bother again.

Some cheaper one have lasted better but still nothing like the claimed life; and we don't suffer from fluctuating voltages here.

scotty8_2

thanks for the responses!! found them a big help!

sharewatcher

Also check your light socket to see if it has a metal fitting for the bayonet.
These bulbs are much heavier than conventional bulbs and many times I have came home to find one broken on the floor because of an ALL PLASTIC socket, These crack at the bayonet fitting then there is nothing to hold the bulb and "smash" £4.99 gone (this was many years ago when they were more expensive)
Many do not last 8000 hours, some only a few months, but overall they do work out cheaper than conventional bulbs and will save money even with the occasional dud

suki1964

Dunelm Mill are selling the Osram 20watts at 75p

lowbrim

I agree that these bulbs are good but I would not recommend them for lights that are only on for a few minutes at a time and they are not recommended for dimmer lights. They are ideal for outside security lights and the lights in the house that you leave on for more than 30mins at a time.

As for buying try Wilko they normally have them at 99p but I will be stocking up at Denelm Mill at 75p cant beat that

rammy007

i got some phillips ones from morrisons at the weekend 99p and BOGOF they are definately not for lights with dimmers,cos i put some in and they flicker a lot and make the consumer unit buzz it doesnt mention on the that they arent for lights with dimmers though