Not So Free Energy Saving Bulbs

housebug

Anyone else see this? We got some of these. I even sent for a batch of them! :mad: Add to it the fact that we don't notice any difference in the electric bill despite it and other energy saving measures. It's as high as ever. And the light they give is inferior, in my opinion, to the old light bulbs.

Not So Free Light Bulbs

jd87

Hundreds of threads about the advantages and disadvantages of CFLs on here. You can't argue with the fact that if you take out a 100W bulb and put it a 20W bulb, you are saving electricity and money. The light the cheap/free ones give is inferior - that's why they are free. You can get much much better ones for £2-3 each in shops.

Energy suppliers acting in the interests of their own profits over anything else is to be expected unfortunately. It won't change until the government finally brings in stricter regulation. Write to your MP if you actually want something done about it.

savemoney

I have no problems with CFL's used them since the mid 80's. They may not give out quite as much light as old bulbs and you do to some extent get heat as a by product with old bulbs

But is they use 20w compared with 100w you obviously have some saving in energy there

daveyjp

"we don't notice any difference in the electric bill"

In the grand scheme of leccy useage light bulbs use very little energy - a 100w bulb will need to be on for ten hours to burn a single unit of electricity, so changing to a 20w low energy bulb will reduce useage but it will be pennies over the course of a week.

You need to look at the power hungry appliances to make big changes. An electric shower could use a unit in 6 minutes, a kettle in 20 minutes, tunble dryer similar etc etc.

meggsy

"Free energy saving bulbs 'cost £45'

Each household has ended up paying £45 for the free energy saving light bulbs that have been sent to them by their electricity supplier, according to a leading watchdog".

I found a packet of bulbs on our doorstep just before Christmas but I fail to see why we should pay for something we didn't want :mad:

http://www.which.co.uk/news/2010/03/shadow-cast-on-free-energy-saving-light-bulbs-207174