Do Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Save Cash?

[Deleted User]

They may not necessarily save the cost of purchase if they're put in a room that's used very little. See my posts here: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Utility;action=display;num=1075437565

gibby

just by changing to these bulbs our electric bill dropped by over 50%

well worth it

G

KG

IKEA do cheap energy saving bulbs. My electricity bill is £8 a month with all my energy efficient stuff.
8)
KG

Tony_H_3

Asda have them in from only £2.56ea, the large globe type are pricey at £8.00 but look nice in the bathroom.

Paul_Varjak

When they first came out, low energy light bulbs did not seem to last very long but the newer ones seem much better.

Whenever I see free offers on these bulbs I get them - let me just go and count how many 'free' ones are in my cupboard!

Just got back. I have eight of them - all @ 20w and all claim to have a 12 year life! That is enough to take into retirement and then I can probably get even more of them!

There are some problems using low enerygy bulbs:

1. You cannot use them with autoswitching devices (except some of the newer types)
2. You cannot use them with light dimmers.
3. They take time to 'warm up'
4. Over the period of their life they get dimmer.

I use STAYWARM as my electric supplier. They charge, not on a usage basis, but on how many bedrooms and how many people live in the property. So it is in their interest to give free energy-saving bulbs!

I benefit because I am disabled and don't have to get help so often to change the bulbs. The only light I use without an energy-saving bulb is the automatic-switching courtesy light at my front door.

zcaprd7

I have to say I'm not convinced...

The energy "wasted" when using normal bulbs is merely dissipated into the surroundings and thus warms your house!

It is a false economy!

Therefore the only place I'd use an energy saving bulb is in a outside light?

zcaprd7

I've been pndering this - maybe good in the summer when the heating's off...

Thus reduce their savings figure by about 40-50% ?

raeble

That excess energy may warm your house, if you have double glazing completely block up all area's that have draughts. Personally I doubt it does anything other than make the lightbulb red hot. I have my energy efficient lightbulbs, and wouldn't be without them. You don't have to get them if you don't want to. My mother had one energy efficient bulb that was in the living room, the light would be on a minimum of twelve hours a day. She had the bulb for about six years. The life expectancy of the bulbs had improved since she bought that one.

zcaprd7

Its not a competiton...

I'm just trying to analyse how they work vs normal bulbs.

The issue of them lasting longer is a separate issue, which may or may not justify the purchase....


The point is if the bulbs "wasted" heat are warming your house, you don't need the heating on as high as you would have - so although your lighting bill is higher you heating bill is lower.

I suppose if you have gas heating there would be a saving as I believe gas is cheaper (five times) for heating when compared to electricty?

I'm not having a go, its just that many environmental type issues are so propaganda based, with no basis in physics, that I get somewhat skeptical...

HonestJohn

Asda have them in from only £2.56ea, the large globe type are pricey at £8.00 but look nice in the bathroom.

My local ASDA and Wilkos sell a good brand GE for £1.97 and £1.99 respectively