Energy Saving Light Bulbs

adouglasmhor

shopndrop wrote:

I agree with this. I use them in the lights that we have timers on (3 downstairs) all of which come on and off once a day, I can't see how this differs from manually switching on and off. You also can't use them with dimmers and I can't understand why.

Because dimmers vry the power input and this burns out the internal starters and drasticaly increases the heat input.

Garetha

shopndrop wrote:

I agree with this. I use them in the lights that we have timers on (3 downstairs) all of which come on and off once a day, I can't see how this differs from manually switching on and off. You also can't use them with dimmers and I can't understand why.

You're OK on timers with a mechanical switch. Electronic switches are not recommended - but may be OK - the risk is killing the switch.

I use low energy lamps on lights either side of the front door which detect arrivals - they are electronic switches - and have worked for several years without problems.

Dimmers are a different matter.
Low energy bulbs don't dim - you risk burning out the dimmer and possibly shortening the life of the bulb.

sexyeyes83

Ive been to a few nettos in Kent and they still have them in stock.

fossman

Went to Netto last night (Langley Mill , Nottinghamshire).

Energy saving Light Bulbs now 79p each, they had 4 full boxes of 100w bulbs and 1 box of 60w bulbs.

gromituk

Garetha wrote:

You're OK on timers with a mechanical switch. Electronic switches are not recommended - but may be OK - the risk is killing the switch.

Electronic plug-in timers all, in my experience, contain relays, which will be quite happy to switch these lamps on and off. You can tell if the timer contains a relay because there will be an audible click when it switches.

There is special problem with timers and dusk-dawn switches which are designed to fit in the place of an ordinary light switch. These can pass a tiny current all the time, which doesn't affect a normal bulb, but can cause periodic flickering of a low energy lamp, or the timer may not function.

Dimmers are a different matter.
Low energy bulbs don't dim - you risk burning out the dimmer and possibly shortening the life of the bulb.

Indeed. It gets quite technical but the filaments at the end of the tubes need to be quite hot for the lamp to work. If you dim them, the filaments will not be hot enough and the lamp simply will not "strike". Fluorescent fittings which are designed to be dimmed contain special circuits to keep these filaments warm even when the discharge through the lamp is weak, which it is if the lamp is dimmed.

zappomatic

You may find brief shortages of Philips Genie bulbs as they are in the process of switching over to an improved product with an 8 year life.

fossman

I bought a dusk till dawn timer from Argos yesterday and it works fine with the Phillips bulbs from Netto.

It even states on the box that it works with Energy Saving lightbulbs.

Fruitcake

11 Watt low energy light bulbs (equivalent to 60W conventional) BOGOF for ₤1.99 in Proper Job, Weston-super-Mare, Zummerzet. Standard bayonet standard length only.
₤1 per blub, can't be bad.

Fruitcake

You Only Listen To Me When I'm Wrong

ManAtHome

Do you have a Netto down there - they often have 11w and 18w less than 50p each.

bertiness

I've noticed Wilkinsons sell some good 18/20ws for 3 for £2.50 or £1 each