Energy saving spotlights

Ben84

Jennifer_Jane wrote: »

Don't know if this is helpful, but I use Philips Eco 35watt dimmable GU10. They light up instantly and fit perfectly into the light-fitting (as opposed to some energy-saving lightbulbs which are slow to light up and stick out of the fitting). They are supposedly 30% energy saving (35w to get 50w). I think I can only get them locally from Homebase. Supposedly 2000 hours worth or 2 years.

Philips No 10461 or 3222 628 41082 (unsure what those numbers are).

But I'm pleased with them and I like a very bright bathroom for make-up etc (would have surgical standard lights there if I could!).

As for other spotlights - am still waiting for energy-saving bayonet R63 spotlights. Will have to change light-fitting eventually, if they don't plan to bring out bayonet energy-saving ones.

You can get energy saving R63 bulbs from megaman. They're fluorescent rather than LED, but we're pleased with the ones we have as they fit perfectly, have lasted some years already and have good bright light. Our ones take a short while to reach full brightness. Newer versions may be quicker.

whasup

LED technology has been highly variable but is developing rapidly. In particular be careful of cheap units from China - they may look ok but many draw much more power than it says on the tin. I have had several tested in an on-site situation and all drew way over what it should have been. The worst ones were drawing nearly 30watts - for a 4 watt LED. They also got very hot and will almost certainly not last long. Good quality units are expensive but costs are falling fast.

Comparing LEDs to halogens or CFLs has been a bit frustrating. I have been searching for units to specify in new build and have had to send quite a few units back because they were not as advertised. Lumens is the best measure but even then the output can vary dramatically depending on beam angle and distance. Comparing watts with watts or even equivalent watts is also hit and miss. I noticed that many sellers don't actually make a comparison. My guess is that they've learned that it is not an easy thing to do so rather than get a lot of returns they don't make any promises.

It's also incorrect to criticise multi LED units. The best fitting I have tested so far are multi LED G4 lamps that at 2.4w is absolutely identical light output to a 25w halogen. There is a slight delay at start up but you soon get used to it and it's nothing to gain a 90% energy saving. A good spotlight at a reasonable cost is the holy grail for the lamp manufacturer's. Plenty of expensive ones around but nothing reasonable. I happen to know that all of them are working their tails off trying to get one to the market but there are problems that are not that easy to overcome. I don't think it will be long now though. Maybe 6 months?

MattLFC

Think I found out why the ones in the offices are so good, at £25 a bulb they bloody should be! - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Dimmable-Master-GU10-equivalent/dp/B002TSS8QE - obviously work probably paid a lot less than that due to the scale they could buy them in, and at trade price.

But... the amount of spots we were replacing before the changeover was phenominal, not to mention the energy saving. In theory, the LED units should never fail.

But I highly recommend them. I was in Asda earlier and they do an own-brand selection of LED spotlights, seem quite similar.

james2005

Where is the cheapest place to by lightbulbs, You cant get the old ones anymore can you, I had to buy one of those tesco value bayonet new style energy bulbs, 2 bleemin quid, 2 quid is Asda too.

Any advice would be appreciated

rogerblack

As a view of what's likely in the future:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWx_2fqhzOQ Cree - world leading LEDs. (And beards).

A bulb that takes in ordinary AC power at 110V (it's the US), and produces the equivalent light to 100W 'softone' conventional bulb using only 9W.
This is 'warm white' too - not what is common from LEDs sacrificing brightness for colour.

This is prototype only, I would not expect this sort of output to be available for 2-4 years in the market at the shortest.
And then it will be very expensive.

topyam

Have bought some from Amazon. Will let you know how I get on. They cost £8 each.

AdmiralX

topyam wrote: »

Hi,

Plan to replace all the spotlights in our house with energy saving ones - can anyone point me in the right direction of where I can get good quality ones at a good price?

Regards
topyam

We are not yet sure that cause energy saving. As light itself it uses less energy but the incandescent old lamps radiated heat, that is they heated the rooms. The new "energy saving" ones do not. It was found that households using the new bulbs increased energy consumption rather than lowered because they cause the people to turn up heating.

Do you know the energy saving bulbs life? compared to the old staff?

don0301

AdmiralX wrote: »

We are not yet sure that cause energy saving. As light itself it uses less energy but the incandescent old lamps radiated heat, that is they heated the rooms. The new "energy saving" ones do not. It was found that households using the new bulbs increased energy consumption rather than lowered because they cause the people to turn up heating.

lol

facts please :P

AdmiralX

james2005 wrote: »

Where is the cheapest place to by lightbulbs, You cant get the old ones anymore can you, I had to buy one of those tesco value bayonet new style energy bulbs, 2 bleemin quid, 2 quid is Asda too.

Any advice would be appreciated

The old ones I got from Amazon and there might be stock. Some jobs require the old style of bulbs. I read the EU are reviewing evidence on the energy saving bulbs especially on health grounds and to allow some production for certain users.

AdmiralX

don0301 wrote: »

lol

facts please :P

Google you will find a lot; much of that the kids learn at GCSE and A levels