energy saving bulbs - now ripoff

[Deleted User]

I bought a load of energy saver bulbs about 7 years ago before they went right cheap. Still not had to replace any yet. Maybe now they are starting to make them out of cheaper stuff that doesn't last as long.

facade

Just before they fail, they make a noise, and give off a nasty smell.

Trust me on this one, I had the floorboards up looking for a leaky central heating pipe once, or a dead mouse or something, and it was the bulb in the alcove above the radiator. I didn't twig when I spotted it was out, presumably all the smell had escaped by then.

I figured it out when the one on the landing stared to smell about 2 weeks later.

Myser

You would have thought that CFL technology being quite mature now that you wouldn't expect early failure. The newer ones don't seem to last as long? I have noticed this with big makes such as Osram too.

Cornucopia

OP - if you are paying £5 per bulb, you are looking in the wrong shops.

For cheaper CFL bulbs, try the following:-

- Poundshops
- Lidl & Aldi
- Ikea

B & Q is particularly bad for high priced CFLs, though they do have a huge range with some "value" options.

Jonesya

Cornucopia wrote: »

OP - if you are paying £5 per bulb, you are looking in the wrong shops.

For cheaper CFL bulbs, try the following:-

- Poundshops
- Lidl & Aldi
- Ikea

Yeah but for the pound stores check the colour temperature (warm white is 2700k) some of these cheap bulbs tend to have cold colour temps and poor colour rendering.

Assuming you don't mind the light, energy saving bulbs are one of the best money saving investments you can make, particularly at the higher wattages (60W+), even at £5/lamp the payback is still great.

VoucherMan

Sat here with a smug grin on my face as I bought a lifetime supply when the supermarkets were selling them for 10p each

Chrysalis

Cornucopia wrote: »

OP - if you are paying £5 per bulb, you are looking in the wrong shops.

For cheaper CFL bulbs, try the following:-

- Poundshops
- Lidl & Aldi
- Ikea

B & Q is particularly bad for high priced CFLs, though they do have a huge range with some "value" options.

the criteria is it has to be over the internet for delivery. lidi and aldi are overhyped in the sense that one has to travel there to get the stuff. unless you live next door travel isnt free, and is a problem if mobility limited like myself

ikea website looks no cheaper to me, care to show an exact link?

I refuse to pay more than £2 for a bulb compeltely ridicolous.

so at the moment I guess be these http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p50848 .

lazer

Personally - I don't like them!

I have a cupboard full of the incandescent lamps - a good mix of 40W, 60W and 100W - that were all 5 for £1

I have lived in my house now for 18months now - and have only changed about 2 light bulbs.

Chrysalis

yeah I guess you stockpiled before the hyper inflation.

I did find some on ebay which have worked out at about £1.80 per bulb, philips ones. About as good as I will get.

Myser

Philips tend to be one of the more relaible CFL lamp manufacturers. They also have a long warranty too which they do honour.