Do Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Save Cash?

pak2

The power companies are caught behind wanting 2 let u use as much power as poss to increase their profits, yet meeting their energy effic savings that they must meet.

The biggest reason they probably promote them is that once fitted u know longer need to do the saving (the bulb does it for u) yet the other ways to reduce wastage all rely on the user each time, i.e not overfilling the kettle, tv off standby etc etc.

PAK

futumsch

Well, all in incandescent bulb is, is a piece of wire heated up so hot it gives off light. that gives zcaprd7 some evidence for your heating the room argument. The energy has to go somewhere dosent it, and that is by disappating the energy into less active air molecules. O-Level Physics.

There are some websites out there that show you how make say a dozen ultra-bright LED's connect to a mains light socket. Now granted you may need a few to give you a 100 watts, but I've converted my kitchen halogen lights into LED and they are fantastic. It cost about £4 each, they only draw about a third of an amp and I bet they live for an 'undred years.

Check it: http://www.electronicsforu.com/EFYLinux/circuit/feb2003/circuit-2.pdf

Enviomon2

tbh it's really about doing your bit for the enviroment.

Incidently if you use a computer for basic tasks I'd consider using a laptop instead if you have one or can get hold of one cheaply. They use alot less power than a standard desktop, which these days can have power supplies which use about 450W of power. :E

My old laptop uses 50W.

My new 3.2Ghz Pentium 4 Hyperthreading technology with 1024mb of RAM, DVD-RW 4x blue tooth and a 128mb Radeon card uses 150W :-P

So even gaming can be gentle on the environment

zcaprd7

I don't think they do that much for the environment (compared to other energy saving actions) - there is so much green propaganda...

I find it particularly amusing watching the people who drive their Chelsea Tractors to recycle a few bottles...

chateau42

Work it out. Seems so to me. Do not use them where they are being continuously turned on and off. ;D

SusanCarter

Even if the energy saving bulb does just result in using more heating, it could still be saving as the central heating is probably more enrgy efficient than the old style light bulb. In addition, if your CH is gas then it's more of a difference as gas is more efficient.

Dave_in_Andover

"Is there anywhere you can buy a job lot of energy efficient bulbs ie. to make even more of a saving?"

Being a bit of a Captain Planet, I've tried dozens of these things out. Most are dead good, but, the cheaper made in the Far East ones do not last as long. Better to buy European made ones which cost a bit more.

We have one notable 2D lightbulb, purchased in 1992, still doing sterling work for us...

Am I allowed to mention suppliers websites ? If so I can let you have two that spring to mind for small bulk savings and offers..

Dave :rotfl:

melancholly

zcaprd7 wrote:

I find it particularly amusing watching the people who drive their Chelsea Tractors to recycle a few bottles...

i'm trying to come across as polite - I don't mean to be rude at all, but it just seems like you are sceptical about anything remotely environmentally friendly and all your comments are quite derisory. this is MSE - most people on here aren't the types to drive expensive cars and waste money anyway!!

anyone who drives a big gas guzzling car to get some bottles recycled, and has 500 pieces of electrical equipment running all the time is obviously daft, but just because some people waste energy doesn't mean the rest of us can't try to be as efficient as possible.... does it?

I guess I just don't like all people who try to be environmentally friendly in any way to be mocked and classified under a stereotype. If everyone just made one change to their energy usage, the difference would be huge.


oh - and Dave in Andover - I think as long as you aren't promoting your own business, the links should be fine (?) - I'd be interested in them anyway!

WillD_2

https://www.energysavingworld.com

i bought from them, they were very cheap and wide selection so you can get the ones to fit your desk lamps too

krishna

There was another thread on this site some time ago with links to a site that does all the maths for you. Looked through it and it was very plausible. Also, the bit about not using them in places where you turn on and off all the time does not seem to be valid any more (info from same link, but no time to look for that right now). Basically if you keep the light on for more than 15 seconds, it is cheaper to use the low energy light "bulbs". This takes into account energy consumption AND wear and tear on the light from turning on and off.