Energy saving lightbulbs

Paul_Varjak

pinkichiban wrote: »

As far as I know, no faults, no dimmer switch etc. Previously these bulbs seemed to last ages. I don't buy the cheapest, I'd say about mid-range.

I have around 30 bulbs - all obtained for free! I cannot recall having one fail except for one that was used with an electronic timer - it blew the bulb and the timer!

I reckon, in a few years, the government will ban fluorescent bulbs (they contain mercury) and we will have to switch to LED bulbs! But I think similar problems over electronic switching exists with LEDs too.

tanith

We've got them everywhere except the kitchen and I've not had one fail yet and thats over 2yrs...

Sequeena

The ones I use are fine. Had them in for about 6 months now I think.

Sooler

pinkichiban wrote: »

Is it just me

Yes, seems so

pinkichiban

kazzah60 wrote: »

I can sympathise with the OP - I have two light fittings in my lounge each with 5 bulbs - before I used energy saving bulbs I hardly ever used to change them - nowadays they seem to go every couple of months - it's costing a fortune - we don't have a dimmer switch or anything like that

in fact I have now changed light fittings as the others had downlighter shades and needed to mini spiral bulbs and now have uplighter ones which can take the "normal" sized bulbs - these I can get for £10 for 4 from B&Q whereas the other mini ones in a 15w I could only get via mail order and they regularly cost me £30 for 4 !

Not just me then!

daveyjp

One of our very first Ikea low energy bulbs went a few weeks ago. I was very disappointed as it had only been in our bedroom for about 14 years! I remember the bulbs were expensive back then and Ikea ones were much cheaper than elsewhere.

We still have one of the originals in the loft which does come on regularly as it is linked to the landing light, so I'll see how long this goes on for.

A._Badger

pinkichiban wrote: »

Is it just me or do these last no time at all? Often on packets they claim to last however may thousands of hours, but in reality it seems they last mere weeks. I can't be more precise as I don't have the time to monitor, but I am sure they do not match the claims made on packets. The kitchen has just gone again and I am sure I replaced it 6 weeks ago ish. I think we are being ripped off yet again...

Funny that, I had a GE 18w (may have been 20w) blow on Friday after just two years in the kitchen (no dimmer, or anything else).

It was no loss. When the bulb was new the light was vile and by the time it packed up all it it was capable of was a dim glow.

Hateful things. Dangerous to dispose of and a complete con.

Still, they make lots of money for the bulb companies and hippies love them.

Fruitcake

All our bulbs are now the energy saving type. Some have lasted several years without problem but I have had some that only last a few months and one that only lasted a week.

I now keep the box with 8 years life printed on them and if they blow I take them back for a replacement. I've never had a problem doing this so far.

biscit

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

Are you referring to energy saving bulbs or the infamous GU10 down lighter bulbs which are total bummers ?

You can replace GU10s with LED clusters, but they're expensive and it's difficult to find them that give out as much light over a wide area. It's true though many people mix up low voltage with low energy.

On the actual low energy bulbs I only had a couple go wrong on me. I used a halogen replacement for an incandescent in a fitting where I couldn't put a (now) normal bulb, and that went after a few weeks but the second one was fine.

moonrakerz

I always write the date on the base of the lamp when I fit one - they all last for years - just looked at the one in this room; says 07/06.