energy saving bulbs = higher power consumption?

macman

Why are you cross about using an unsuitable bulb on a dimmer switch, when the packaging warns you that it is not suitable?

Owain_Moneysaver

The energy monitors really only work for 'resistive' loads such as heating, cookers etc. 'Inductive' loads such as motors, fluorescent lights, and dimmer switches, are much more complex to meter and so the energy monitors are only approximate.

And dimmer switch + fluorescent is a bad idea. If you need variable light levels use multiple smaller lamps and switch them on in groups as needed.

FunkyFlowers

I'd just go back to using regular bulbs becasue A: it'll save you taking out the dimmer switches and B: they don't give off as much radiation as the energy saving ones do.

Mankysteve

FunkyFlowers wrote: »

B: they don't give off as much radiation as the energy saving ones do.

Thats a new one.

DVardysShadow

mudlouse wrote: »

... 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?

Not a total surprise. If your monitor does not take power factor into account - or if the lamp is not drawing a true sinusoidal current, then its readings are likely to be seriously incorrect for loads such as energy saving bulbs - although they will be valid for simple resistive loads such as incandescent lamps and kettles.

savemoney

I changed my dimmers in 3 rooms to switches as its cheaper to use normal low energy bulbs than use the type suitable for dimmers. I am no electrician either just followed advice I got through research on net

Rusty!

I have a 20w dimmable energy saving bulb in my bedroom from B&Q, it was about a tenner as I recall :rotfl:

mudlouse

earthlover wrote: »

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.

that's pretty much my thoughts exactly!

a light bulb has pretty much only one function so if they say something isn't suitable most people would assume that means the light wouldn't turn on, as opposed to not using less energy

Rah

I know you can get special energy saving bulbs now that are ok with dimmer switches - but does anyone know where is the cheapest place to buy these? The ones I have seen so far cost about £15! :eek:

P.S. I also got an electricity monitor today - love it!