Energy saving bulbs dimmable

wheelz

We have an energy saving bulb in the living room and we have a dimmer switch. It's too bright, it's 20W (Phillips tornado). Does anyone know whether we do need a dimmable bulb and what would happen if we use a non-dimmable energy saving bulb. Obviously non-dimmable bulbs are much cheaper.

Norman_Castle

http://www.energycircle.com/blog/2011/09/21/why-you-should-never-use-non-dimmable-cfls-dimmer-switches

wheelz

I think we just need to find a different lamp shade, not one where you look straight into the bulb, an otherwise v stylish lamp shade.

Norman_Castle

Wouldn't a bulb be cheaper?. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/400603972697?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0

Quiet_Spark

wheelz wrote: »

Does anyone know whether we do need a dimmable bulb

If you wish to dim it, yes.
You will also need a dimmer designed for CFL lamps, an ordinary (legacy) dimmer is not suitable.

wheelz wrote: »

and what would happen if we use a non-dimmable energy saving bulb.

Keep a fire extinguisher to hand

maninthestreet

Many dimmers have a minimum load requirement (in watts), and a single low energy bulb might not meet that requirment.

Quiet_Spark

maninthestreet wrote: »

Many dimmers have a minimum load requirement (in watts), and a single low energy bulb might not meet that requirment.

Leading edge dimmers do, but trailing edge dimmers (those suitable for CFL/LED) don't have that problem.