energy saving bulbs = higher power consumption?

mudlouse

Hi all,

I moved into a new house recently and in doing so, I replaced all the bulbs with energy saving ones - but I noticed something rather odd.

I've also switched energy supplier and received a wireless energy monitor, which I'm using.

I replaced a 60w incandescent bulb with a philips 14w stick (eqv. to 75w). The problem is, the reading on the energy monitor is ~0.06kWh with the incandescent bulb, but ~0.50kWh with the energy saver!

This only seems to be happening in the living room, there are two lights attached to two dimmer switches. Everywhere else it seems to be accurate. With 1 energy saver light on, it's ~0.50kWh, with both on, it's just a bit above that but still hovering around 0.5

Does this sound right to anyone?


Edit: forgot to add, the dimmer is like a 'pulsing' type, where the energy saver flickers when turned down. maybe this is the cause? I might change the switch if that helps.

markharding557

you should not use energy saving bulbs with dimmer switches because it will burn the bulbs out and could explain your odd readings

MarkyMarkD

Change the switch.

We have removed a few dimmer switches in our house because they do not work with the low energy bulbs. Easy to change.

dunloadin

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

Change the switch.

We have removed a few dimmer switches in our house because they do not work with the low energy bulbs. Easy to change.

Only if you know what your doing, two light fittings and two switches suggest that there may be a bit more cabling behind the switches than norm. (oh, and dont work live, knock the power off)

mudlouse

thanks, i'll try to replace the switch later this week and post back.

it's probably a combination of the dimmer turning on/off rapidly and the energy saver requiring more energy to 'start' than regular bulbs (kind of like a starter for a flourescent tube). so the overall effect is higher consumption.

clairet707

you can buy special low energy bulbs that work with dimmers, Homebase and B&Q definitely sell them as we have some, they have dimmer written on them

Pimpslider

markharding557 wrote: »

you should not use energy saving bulbs with dimmer switches because it will burn the bulbs out and could explain your odd readings

:beer:

So that's my freaking problem!! I thought you could get special dimmers for ESB's? Never knew there were Spcial ESB's for dimmers?

MarkyMarkD

Yes, you can get special bulbs, and special dimmers. The bulbs are (a lot) more expensive than the non-dimmable ones.

mudlouse

well i got a regular switch, installed it and it made some difference.

each 14w bulb now reads as ~0.05kWh, which is still higher than i expected (should be ~0.01kWh?) but way better than before.

i realise nearly everyone says energy saving bulbs aren't suitable for dimmers, but i just got the impression they either didn't work properly or at all. but i never imagined it would actually increase the amount of power it consumes! just think of all the people out there in the same situation, except they don't have a monitor telling them that.

Premier_2

mudlouse wrote: »

... just think of all the people out there in the same situation,...

I wouldn't have thought there were that many people out there who, having read and understood the clear message on the packaging stating that the bulb is not suitable for use with dimmer switches, then decide to go and fit them in conjunction with a dimmer switch :eek:

earthlover

Premier wrote: »

I wouldn't have thought there were that many people out there who, having read and understood the clear message on the packaging stating that the bulb is not suitable for use with dimmer switches, then decide to go and fit them in conjunction with a dimmer switch :eek:

I did. Because they worked, and I had no idea that they would use more energy. I thought I was being environmentally friendly and saving cash!

I assumed the reason it said not to use them was simply because of the flickering that occurs when the dimmer switch is turned low. I was happy to put up with that as I keep them on full anyway, they are,nt that bright anyway, certainly not as good as the normal bulbs. I'm really cross about that.