Energy Saving Lightbulbs for 49p each; save £9/bulb per year in electricity costs

MSE_Martin

What's the deal?

Energy Saving lightbulbs can retail for as much as £3, but currnently they're avilable at John Lewis in-store for 49p.

They also save on energy bills

At 49p they're the same cost as normal bulbs, but last for approx. six years and, according to the energy saving trust, can save you up to £9 a year on your electricity bill, before even considering the benefit to the environment (do also switch to a cheaper energy supplier)

One tiny note though, energy saving lightbulbs shouldn't be used with dimmer switch lights.

Where to get them

It's best to buy in-store rather than online as otherwise delivery costs eat up any saving.

• John Lewis.
  
  There are four types of Philips Genie CFL energy saving lightbulbs are available at 49p each. Which you'll want will depend on the fitting of your lamp; either a Bayonet Cap bulb (this is one with two prongs sticking out of it) or an Edison Screw bulb. Each of these are available at either 11w or 18w (the equivalent to 60w and 100w normal bulbs).
  
  According to its press office, there are thousands available in John Lewis stores nationwide. If you want to make sure your local store has these in stock, locate your nearest John Lewis and give it a call.
  
  As for online, stock is only available for the 11 Watt Edison Screw bulb, but it is possible that the others will be replenished. Remember, there is a delivery charge of £3.95 for orders under £100, so go into a store if you can to make the savings worth while.

• Netto.
  
  Bayonet Cap energy saving light bulbs are usually available for less than 50p. These include 11w, 14w and 18w bulbs, the equivalent to 60, 75 and 100 Watts standard bulbs.
  
  Netto's renowned for selling out of cheap stuff fast, so if you wish, contact your nearest store by either calling or emailing to check they're still in stock.

• Pop into Sainsbury's or Morrisons.
  
  Many MoneySavers have commented that these two supermarkets often offer BOGOF promotions on its energy saving bulbs, which equates to 50p, so it's worth keeping an eye out if you're in there.

More details on the impact of energy saving bulbs

Lighting accounts for approx. 15% of each electricity bill. By replacing standard bulbs with energy saving ones, around five times less electricity is used.

According to the Energy Saving Trust (based on the assumption a traditional 100W bulb is replaced with a 20W energy saving bulb, with electricity cost of 10.41p/kWh and 1,114 hours of use per year) each energy saving bulb used can knock up to £9 off your annual bill. On average they also last 12 times longer than standard bulbs meaning you won't need to re-buy as frequently.

Additionally, to also cut the cost of energy you should also switch to the cheapest supplier. Read the Switch Energy Supplier Plus Get £30 Cashback article.

Martin

Money_Troll

yeah good tip martin, but although these will in a few years be all you can get, i have heard that you're best leaving them on as turning them on and off drastically can reduce their life.

leaving them on all the time can in fact cost as much!

they cost more to make than normal bulbs to produce as well (is that green?)

jammiev

hi, i saw an advert today saying they are half price (forever) at tesco!
:beer:

veedubjai

I think the UK & the EU countries should start introducing legislatiion complete banning of old filament light bulbs. The EU do cover a large geographical area but this should not mean other counties not to introduce measures reducing light pollution. Just look at the globe at night & see for yourself. They may be cost effective to produce in the short term but running cost in the long term will impact global warming.

I believe increasing taxes to counteract carbon footprint will not make much difference as the extra cost will be impose elsewhere. But by banning with fee penalties, the public will get the message, not to waste energy. Small changes in lifestyle can just as well make a difference.

Nilrem

I think if you're on many of the benefits, there is also a scheme administered by one of the power companies to send some out free every year (I know a few people who get 4 a year).

Energy saving bulbs are getting better year on year it seems (we've had them in some rooms for 5+ years), and they certainly do tend to last much longer than normal ones, and are gradually getting smaller.
Unfortunately at the moment anything other than standard replacements seem to be very expensive/hard to come by (if there are any money savers who can point me in the direction of reasonable priced quality R50, or candle bulbs it would be greatly appreciated).

One word of warning about a lot of commonly available energy saving bulbs, they tend not to fit into enclosed lighting very well, I found that none of the 3 different types/wattages* I had would fit into some of the weatherproof fittings we've got, or the bathroom light, so it's worth checking if that is where you are aiming to use them.

I suspect that for many people energy saving bulbs will not become standard until the range of cheap, and readily available ones is on a par with incandescent bulbs.


*All were BC, as were the fittings (the bulbs were too long to seat in the fitting).

hobo28

Nilrem wrote: »

One word of warning about a lot of commonly available energy saving bulbs, they tend not to fit into enclosed lighting very well

I would totally agree here. I'd love to change all my bulbs over but even on my most basic light fittings the energy savings ones are just too big to fit.

Until they can make the bulbs the same size/smaller and equally as bright, I cannot see how I can swap over, short of replacing all my light fittings in the house which is neither moneysaving or green.

energyman

There are lots of myths about energy saving bulbs like they use more energy if switched off and they can't be switched off as it shortens their life. Not true! Any type of bulb that is switched on and off at a frequency of less than a minute will have a shortened life but if we're talking any longer, there should not be any problem. I would add that some of the very cheap energy saving bulbs originating from the far east tend to be less reliable. But I would encourage everyone to fit these where they can and also to encourage friends, neighbours, workplaces to also do so - saves money and reduces greenhouse gas emissions!

energyman

hobo28 wrote: »

I would totally agree here. I'd love to change all my bulbs over but even on my most basic light fittings the energy savings ones are just too big to fit.

Until they can make the bulbs the same size/smaller and equally as bright, I cannot see how I can swap over, short of replacing all my light fittings in the house which is neither moneysaving or green.

Energy saving bulbs come in a range of sizes to fit most fittings. There are mini-candle type bulbs which are the same length as normal candle bulbs; there are mini-spiral the same lenght as normal 60W bulbs; there are low energy spot lights including R50 and there are LED lights to replace the halogen spot lights we all seem to have in bathrooms and kitchens these days (GU10 and low voltage MR16). Go to the greenshop https://www.greenshop.co.uk to see the types but then check on ebay or via google for cheaper versions.

16011996

they are also 99p but bogof in morrisons at the moment, i know its a penny dearer but may save on fuel emmissions if your doing a shop there anyways, picked 4 up at weekend, but again i have problems with some light fittings, but have now replaced all i can.

16011996

they are also 99p but bogof in morrisons at the moment, i know its a penny dearer but may save on fuel emmissions if your doing a shop there anyways, picked 4 up at weekend, but again i have problems with some light fittings, but have now replaced all i can. hopefully that#'ll help some

angusjgy

Hobo28

Be patient, they are coming. You can check out the website https://www.needonenow.co.uk (http://www.needonenow.co.uk/energy-saving-light-bulbs/2.html) which stocks a variety of the smaller bulbs - look at the spiral compact page.

Also those of you with kid's rooms and halls with basic dimmer switches, these are available now although more expensive.

I have not bought from the site and was planning to once I have reviewed what my home needs, but first I will be checking out John Lewis, Tesco, etc, although I assume they will only stock the big sellers not the smaller bespoke bulbs.

They also stock replacements for GU10's - the halogen type, and you can get LED bulbs that last longer than the halogen too, and in different colours, I have seen them in Maplin but they cost around £10 - too much.

All the best.