Modern bulbs - compatibility with old dimmer switches...

roddydogs

Must admit I never notice any "warm up time"

Southend1

roddydogs wrote: »

Must admit I never notice any "warm up time"

Depends on the lamp, some are better than others.

Risteard

You can get low-load dimmers for LEDs. You should really get an Electrician as there are compatibility issues and they can be fairly costly.

almillar

LEDs don't have warm up times.
OP can I make a suggestion? Do a room at a time. LEDs are getting better all the time, so do the most used room now, and leave the other ones till later if it seems like a big job.
elstimpo can't recommend anyone as he's biased - he runs http://www.well-lit.co.uk but I've got nothing to do with them apart from being a happy customer, so I would definitely recommend them. There's stacks of advice on the site too. He doesn't do the cheap bulbs, but he does do good bulbs.

pinkteapot

Thanks. Have just come back to the thread as my Eon online account for electricity says we use 68% more electricity than other similar houses. :eek:

I had already thought about one room at a time, and we have some rooms without dimmers that we can try first, though these are little-used rooms.

We'll be going from proper old incandescent bulbs to energy-saving so assuming it will be worth the cost of getting a sparky in. Irritating that we'll need to, though!

pinkteapot

Risteard wrote: »

You can get low-load dimmers for LEDs. You should really get an Electrician as there are compatibility issues and they can be fairly costly.

What can?

Is it safe to try a bulb and then find out our current dimmers don't work?

Or do you mean that if we try a bulb that's incompatible we'll do some damage that will be costly to repair?

jennifernil

That is exactly what we did, bought a few bulbs and tried them with the old dimmers....ours worked fine. But you MUST buy the dimmable LEDs.

I think he possibly means that it will be expensive if you need to buy new dimmers, or if you try the wrong type of LEDs.

If you need new ones, if you can follow a wiring diagram and have a suitable screwdriver, you can fit the dimmer switches yourself. If you are not confident then you should get an electrician to fit them.

Info here about dimmers....

http://www.universal-lighting.co.uk/buying-guides/choosing_the_correct_dimmer_switch

almillar

We'll be going from proper old incandescent bulbs to energy-saving so assuming it will be worth the cost of getting a sparky in. Irritating that we'll need to, though!

To change a lightbulb? No. If we are taking dimmers out of the equation, and talking about standard ceiling lights, just take the old one out, read the wattage, and find an LED with the equivalent. You'll be using about 8 watts to replace a 60W bulb, maybe even less, but beware boastful cheapo lights!

And yes, it is safe to try them out with dimmers. If they're not compatible, they'll either not work at all, or will flicker. And they may work for an hour or so, and then start to flicker - maybe even longer.
Let us know what bulbs you're wanting to replace and we'll find decent equivalents...

pinkteapot

I know enough DIY that I don't need an electrician to change a lightbulb. I was referring to the replacement of dimmer switches (if necessary).

OK, your first challenge:

- pearl/opal candle bulb
- 40W equivalent
- bayonet fitting
- warm light (2700k)
- as likely as possible to work with an old dimmer switch

We have ten in our lounge. :eek:

SailorSam

I got a load of the old filament bulbs before the shops stopped selling them, simply because i thought the new ones wouldn't be compatible with my dimmer switches. I'm glad to read you can now get bulbs which will be ok, for when the time comes.