energy saving bulbs - why so dim?

grimsalve

Is it still possible to buy "old style" 100w glass bulbs?

I have a 100w glass bulb in the lounge but this popped the other night, I tried an 11w energy saver (apparently this is equivalent to a 40w old bulb but it seemed very dim). Then found an 18w which I think is possibly 80w equivalent but this wasn't really much better.

I get the feeling that a 20w energy saver (closest to a 100w?) will be dim too - I haven't tried one of these yet as they're a bit pricey.

Or are we expected to have several "dim" energy saving bulbs switched on at once now instead of just one big "bright" one? Seems to defeat the purpose of using energy saving bulbs if you've got to have a few of them switched on. :mad:

(apologies for the rant!)

ic

I recently upgraded a few lights around my house to Philips Spiral/Tornado 20W bulbs and they're noticeably brighter than anything else. I think 100W bulbs are still available in pound shops and on markets, but the main big stores voluntarily stopped selling them ahead of the enforced ban that comes in the next year or two. One thing to look out for are the new Halogen bulbs available - look like a standard bulb but are really just a halogen in the middle - use 30% less energy than traditional bulbs so a 70W bulb should be equivalent to an old 100W. I haven't tried these personally.

ormus

this year is the last year you can buy old type bulbs in the uk.
thats why peeps are snapping them up and hoarding them.

grimsalve

ormus wrote: »

this year is the last year you can buy old type bulbs in the uk.
thats why peeps are snapping them up and hoarding them.

I was thinking of stockpiling some if I can find anywhere local that still sell them.

dave82_2

My boss said I am a bit dim. I consider myself to be an energy saving employee.

mrschaucer

:T Excellent!