Energy saving lightbulbs

Paul_Varjak

moonrakerz wrote: »

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.

What a good idea!

Equaliser123

biscit wrote: »

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.

LED GU10's have tumbled in price recently. Now buying 50w equivalent (5w) for less than a fiver. Very pleased with the performance of them.

moonrakerz

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

What a good idea!

Just like this:



I think that they all have the same date as we replaced all the lamps when we moved in. Cannot recollect any failing since then.

Reverbe

I have found they claim to be years but turn out to be months.. The last one I got said lasts 10 years if used 2.5 hrs a day. we use our kitchen light about 15- 30 mins tops if that per day. lets see how long it lasts (have put it on a calendar)

Also they dont give out enough light no matter if you buy the highest you can find/afford they are still not as effective as a 100w bayonet and as we read a lot I am sure they have had effect on our eyesight.

The latest one we installed in our kitchen a few weeks back actually makes a loud buzzing noise that can be heard in the lounge of our studio flat - this cant be right and is actually quite scary.. I fear explosion of bulb and these beggars contain mercury now...:eek:

kirkie_2

Equaliser123 wrote: »

LED GU10's have tumbled in price recently. Now buying 50w equivalent (5w) for less than a fiver. Very pleased with the performance of them.

Can you recommend somewhere to buy these as I am after several. Cheers

Azari

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

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.

LED 'bulbs' will need a different type of dimmer - one that uses constant voltage and variable pulse width to vary the intensity of light the bulb produces.

poppyolivia

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

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

we have 6 GU10 bulbs in the kitchen...omg...nightmare...7 days to 3 weeks is the most you get out of them!:rotfl:

Azari

poppyolivia wrote: »

we have 6 GU10 bulbs in the kitchen...omg...nightmare...7 days to 3 weeks is the most you get out of them!:rotfl:

That is absurd.

There must be something wrong somewhere.

Either:

You are somehow running them at too high a voltage.
You are running them on an unsuitable dimmer.
You are turning them off an on a dramatically excessive number of times a day.
They are subject to some sort of vibration.

I use those 3 of those bulbs in the kitchen and have replaced two in six years.

I use 4 in the living room and have replaced 4 in six years.

anotherbaldrick

I have a ceiling light that takes 3 of those useless GU10 poxy bulbs.
I have to buy them in multi packs because they never last more than a month or two . They cost me more in buying bulbs than the energy they consume. If I could get my hands on the bloke that invented them I would stick one somewhere that would light him up.

Azari

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

I have a ceiling light that takes 3 of those useless GU10 poxy bulbs.
I have to buy them in multi packs because they never last more than a month or two . They cost me more in buying bulbs than the energy they consume. If I could get my hands on the bloke that invented them I would stick one somewhere that would light him up.

Again, there must be something amiss with your set-up.

These bulbs should last a reasonable amount of time.

I wonder if there is a possibility that your mains may be at a slightly higher voltage than the norm. I don't know what the allowed tolerances are.

Some people find these bulbs perfectly usable and long lasting and others definitely don't so there must be some difference in the way they are used.