clear or pearl bulb?

pennylane99

must admit it took me a while to get used to the energy saving bulbs, when they seem dull when first switched on, then get brighter after a few minutes. But I have replaced every bulb in the house with them now.

paul_h

OP - it's also worth noting that if you are not keen on the colour of the light from flourescent lights, 'warm tone' types are available which give a more tungsten-like light - although they are a little more expensive.

They'll still save you £££s over the life of the bulb though.;)

Biggles

During winter months when you've got the central heating on, the heat generated by the bulb diminishes the heating required by your boiler so by switching to low energy you're merely moving your energy costs.

Only the bulb in the room (usually the hallway) where the thermostat is could have that effect. The heat generated by the other bulbs would be wasted, as your system would not detect them.

And, if you were using TRVs throughout instead of a room stat, they are generally so inaccurate that the small amount generated by a light bulb in the room probably wouldn't affect them.