CFL Lightbulbs

shaunrc

Hi

I have been using some of these lightbulbs in my flat. I am not too upset by the issue around lack of light from them as in the places where I read I have put in more powerfull bulbs than what is usually recommended.

However these CFL bulbs were supposed to have a much longer life that our old ones. I have had quite a few fail early and I was wondering if this had happened to others...

isofa

Had tons of early generation ones fail or not reach brightness after a few years. We only use them in rooms we aren't going to spend a lot of time in, they are useless to read by and work by in my opinion.

penrhyn

I've got a CFL lamp in the lounge, which for the first 5 minutes or so after switching on, swamps the lounge with IR output which prevents the TV remote from controlling the TV.
Top tip, if replacing incandescent lamps don't believe the equivalence tables on CFL packages always get at least the next size up.

Money_Grabber13579

penrhyn wrote: »

I've got a CFL lamp in the lounge, which for the first 5 minutes or so after switching on, swamps the lounge with IR output which prevents the TV remote from controlling the TV.
Top tip, if replacing incandescent lamps don't believe the equivalence tables on CFL packages always get at least the next size up.

Yeah, totally agree. They will dim with age, as do the original florescent tubes. While they are much better than they were, they still dim with age!

It's possible the OP got a bad batch. I hope you didn't pay anymore than about 10p for them from Tesco/Asda?!

Antispam

Its luminance that you should compare bulbs from rather than wattage. Many of the CFL bulbs arent a direct replacement. I believe manufacturers will shortly have to inform customers of the luminance value or so I read recently

They also planning of phasing out other bulbs soon, many of which are very expensive to get energy efficient replacements

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1211594/Brussels-switches-spotlights-200m-bulbs-axed-green-crusade.html

shaunrc

Hi Guys

I did pay more than 10 p for them! Some were from Tesco and others from GE. I can't unfortunately remember exactly what I paid or which one was which. However the general point is true they have not lasted as long as they promised in fact I am starting to wonder if they last longer than the incandescent lightbulbs we used to use....

I also agree with getting the next size up.

The worst part of this was that I am up for going greener and have made an effort but now feel that the propaganda has been misleading...

CharlieBilly

I use megaman bulbs I find they last longer than some of the cheap ones around. I just wish the other type of bulbs were cheaper to replace

Money_Grabber13579

The only problem I have with them is that a lot of our lights are inside small glass fittings, and therefore we can't get the CFL's to fit in them! Does anyone know where you can get CFL's that are absolutely no bigger than the standard golf ball?

nanokitten

And don't forget you can't just throw them away, they contain mercury so need to be taken to the special recycling point at the tip (or back to the shop you bought them from).

Out of interest, I'd lke to replace my alleged '100 watt replacements' ie 18 watt CFL bulbs with something decent which actually allows me to do close work, what would folks recommend?

Money_Grabber13579

nanokitten wrote: »

And don't forget you can't just throw them away, they contain mercury so need to be taken to the special recycling point at the tip (or back to the shop you bought them from).

Out of interest, I'd lke to replace my alleged '100 watt replacements' ie 18 watt CFL bulbs with something decent which actually allows me to do close work, what would folks recommend?

That'd actually be 20W you'd need.;)

isofa

So far I've found nothing useful for close accurate work, firstly the CFLs flickr and cause me a headache over the period of a day, secondly I can't stand the colour temperature. 100W are best for my office!