Energy Saving Light Bulbs

Leonie

I have 3 wall lights in my lounge, each of which had 2 X 60 watt bulbs. (360 watts altogether).

To economise, I would only use the one behind where I sit to light the room (120 watts) it was always gloomy. Now I've replaced all 6 bulbs with 11 watt low energy bulbs and put the whole lot on (66 watts) - it's great. First time I've been able to see properly for years! And I don't have to feel guilty.

Pity I bought all my bulbs a couple of months ago when they weren't cheap though!

But I do have 2 freebies which British Gas gave me when I took Martin's advice recently and switched my supplier to Green Click energy (cheaper for me than Powergen).

BexTech

There have been various places selling them 'cheap' for a couple of years.

fossman

I went to my local Netto today, all of the Phillips energy saving bulbs are 47p each, they had a full box of 60w bulbs and a full box of 75w bulbs but only eight 100w bulbs so I bought all the 100w ones.

Peterpan18

My little electrical shop sells energy saving lamps (bulbs are put in the garden) for some years. I can sell the cheap ones and yes they will save you about 80% on your energy bill but...........
Beware the most important thing is to check the lumens output (the actual amount of light they give out) against a standard equivelent lamp.
E.G. a 9 watt low energy lamp is equal to a 40 watt.
I have found that the cheaper an energy saving lamp is the lower the lumens output, therefore you save money in the purchase and use off but, will find that the light output is less and therefore you may have to go up to the next wattage lamp to get the same light output.
Also check the life expectancy in hours or years against the price you pay.
Most important though, you do save money and help the planet by using them but make sure only in areas where the light is put on and stays on for a period of time, you do not save if they are constanly turned on and off.
Save money-be rich!

Peterpan18

Have a look at the Mega Man site, they do a 9w low energy candle shape lamp, expensive but good quality

Avoriaz

mayb wrote:

Well lets face it most of us look better in a dim light!

Is it safe to use a higher 'wattage' energy bulb than the normal one recommended, because I must admit I do find most of them a bit too dim for comfort - especially for reading etc.

I’m incredibly handsome in the dark.:cool:

Most light fittings, lamp shades etc have a rated maximum wattage marked on them. This is primarily to avoid overheating from high wattage bulbs and you should certainly never ignore this. For example it is very unwise and very unsafe to use a 100 watt bulb in a fitting that is designed for 60 watts maximum, or a 60 watt in a 40 watt fitting etc. There is a real risk that you will overheat the fitting or the shade and this could cause a fire, or you may overheat the ceiling or another nearby surface or object. You could also overload the wiring.

Even if a fitting is rated at 100 watt, you also need to check the rating of any lamp shade and also the recommended distances from ceilings etc. A 100 watt fitting with a 40 watt shade is unsafe at more than 40 watts.

However, as low energy bulbs operate at far lower wattages and temperatures the above warning does not really apply. It is probably quite safe to put a 23 watt low energy bulb, which is equivalent to a 120 watt filament bulb, in a fitting rated for 40 or 60 watts filament bulbs. I say probably as there may be exceptions.

Common sense will usually guide you but if you are in any way uncertain, err on the side of caution and get advice from someone qualified.

ostrobogulas

hey guys the pound shops all seem to sell these bulbs for well you guessed it a poud!

BexTech

ostrobogulas wrote:

hey guys the pound shops all seem to sell these bulbs for well you guessed it a poud!

Yes, mentioned several times.

DorsetDave2

martmonk wrote:

get them free here if you are on certain benefits;

https://www.energyefficiency.powergen.co.uk/advicecentre/category6/Lighting.htm

Just clicked on this link as my wife gets DLA

4 free 20W bulbs and a freepost address. Good one

Thanks for this.

________________________________________________________________

Lets be carfull out there

Car over 2 litres - you can afford it but can the planet?

mayb_2

hey guys the pound shops all seem to sell these bulbs for well you guessed it a poud!

Thanks ostrobogulas well worth mentioning again as I for one hadn't seen it posted before.

And thanks Avoriaz I will buy some larger bulbs and be able to see if I am just as attractive in the light as I am in the dark!:rotfl: