do low energy bulbs work with a dimmer switch?

bigblackdog

decided to change the dead bulbs in my ceiling spotlights at moment fitted with 50w gu10 , looking on ebay i see that it is possible to now buy low energy versions , they work out quite expensive and if they dont work on a dimmer switch will be a waste of money , i get the impression that they will give out a murky light which defeats the object of spotlights but there is also a led version , just wondering if anyone has any idea? thanks

davester

there are some dimmer energy saving bulbs but they are not the normal ones that the energy companies throw at you for nothing.

JasX

I have the same setup, you can get GU10 bulbs that work with dimmer switches, but they need to have the extra built in electronics to work with dimmers and must be labelled 'dimming/suitable for dimming, etc

Personally I've not found any 'economically' priced low energey 50w dimmers yet so I'm still with conventional ones for mine.....

EDIT: something like this:

http://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/product/2616/megaman-reflector-dimmerable-11w-gu10-warm-white/

Bikertov

I have found that the LED GU10 bulbs do not yet give a good white light - it is still quite a blue tint. Fine for outside lighting (with colours available if you want the effect) - but nor really for inside.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

I have bought from here before but as you'll see, dimmer ones are expensive.

Whether the extra cost to buy is worthwhile over the life of the bulb compared to a normal bulb, I'm not sure.

Jennifer_Jane

I use Philips EcoClassic30 28w (40w) candle type bulbs - must have 'dimmable' written on. They weren't too expensive (can't remember how much, but £2 - £3 or something I think). I got them from Homebase. Can't find them anywhere else, but we are in NW England, so other places may have them.

http://www.prismaecat.lighting.philips.com/ecat/Light/ApplicationRouter.aspx?fh_location=//prof/en_GB/categories<{fepplg}/countries>{en_GB}&left_nav=gb_en&fh_search=252736

You can get both screw and bayonet type. They look no different from the standard type I used to have (unless you look closely), and come on with normal light immediately.

Does anyone know of any energy-saving spotlights bayonet type, please? I can find plenty of screw type, but not bayonet?

Thanks
Jen

Poppycat

Megaman do dimmerable bulbs they were the first I believe but they are not cheap

Not all low energy bulbs are equal some are better than others, megaman a great and usually not much bigger than normal bulbs although pricey

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

Jennifer_Jane wrote: »

Does anyone know of any energy-saving spotlights bayonet type, please? I can find plenty of screw type, but not bayonet?

Spotlights are usually GU10 connections. Is that what you're after?

See my link above.

JasX

Yeah I bought a megaman 100w equivilent low energy (standard bayonet) bulb last month for £6, was slightly miffed to find Waitrose doing Phillips 100w equivilent ones 2 for £2 two days later, the Phillips ones come on much brighter much sooner too....

unless they wear out quickly my money's currently on the cheaper Phillips low energy ones....

Jennifer_Jane

http://www.prismaecat.lighting.philips.com/ecat/Light/ApplicationRouter.aspx?fh_location=//prof/en_GB/categories<{fepplg}/countries>{en_GB}&left_nav=gb_en&fh_search=252736

Sorry - unsure why this is not coming up as a link, but you can copy and paste into your web browser, of course.

Also, apologies to OP, am suffering from a cold and hadn't read your post fully. You're not after this type, I see. Anyway, may help someone else.

buglawton

99p Stores has standard white double light switches for... 99p, I took dimmer switch off and replaced with this to use the new energy savers. Might return to dimmable one day in the future when they get the technology right.