Advice needed as regards long life engery saving bulbs?

justaquestion

Hi folks,

I have used energy saving long life bulbs for a good while now in living room, bayonet cap I know that they usually come in 9-20 wattage but have used one that was 30w because of eyesight issues and it was absolutely fine.

I had to get a new one because of flickering, couldn't really get a 30w locally so go a Bell spiral one 23w. colour temperature is 6400k cost £5.50

Myself and other members of family are not happy atall with new bulb, absolutely bright totally white light from it, to be honest even though its less wattage than old bulb it does seem too bright and also not like the old one which had a tinge of yellow light from it, Osram brand I think.

Just wonder what sort of a long life bulb do we need to get here as technology has probably moved on, the new bulb has light more akin to an Led which we have in bathroom and fine for it.

Probably looking for a good bright long life energy saving bulb which gives out not a totally bright white light.

Any advice gratefully appreciated.

Many thanks

Norman_Castle

You probably need a warm white, 2700-3000k bulb.

http://www.lighting-direct.co.uk/ideas/kelvin-colour-temperature-explained/

Mr.Generous

low energy used to slowly dim and yellow over the life of the bulb - the brightness was just a measure at the mid point. New bubs warm up much quicker, and as you noticed are brighter per watt of energy consumption. See if anyone has some older low energy in stock, often reduced too.

Cisco001

You need to get warm white colour, 2700K or 3000K with about 1400 lumens.

You can also consider LED bulb if you want to.
Here is an example.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Lighting/d220/LED+GLS+Lamps/sd3382/Integral+LED+GLS+Frosted+Lamp/p46197

TheCyclingProgrammer

Are you using LED or CFL bulbs?

You can get some high quality LED bulbs from well-lit.co.uk - they've currently got their normal ceiling light bulbs (7w) on half price offer, I just bought a couple including one to replace a lower quality Lumilife bulb which buzzes on full brightness (turns out they aren't compatible with Lightwave dimmers for some reason).

screwedagain

6400K colour temperature bulbs are basically 'daylight' bulbs. They will seem very bright and emit an almost blue tinged light. As others have stated 2700K - 3000K or 'warm white' is usually what you would be looking at for a domestic environment.

Daylight bulbs have their advantages though - our last house had one on the landing as the layout meant it never got any natural light, so it really brightened the space up through the day, without looking like the lights had been left on by mistake. They are also useful in desk lamps for the likes of fine sewing work etc. where you need to be able to clearly identify similar, but not identical, colours etc.

jakemillspaek

I have standard GU10's in the kitchen with 2 dimmers (for 6 & 4) so normal LED's I've not considered. I've ordered 4 dimmable type from China !!!!! dirt cheap so worth a gamble.... £6.33 delivered for 4!!!!
Likely bin material but at least keeps the postie busy.

cyclonebri1

jakemillspaek wrote: »

I have standard GU10's in the kitchen with 2 dimmers (for 6 & 4) so normal LED's I've not considered. I've ordered 4 dimmable type from China !!!!! dirt cheap so worth a gamble.... £6.33 delivered for 4!!!!
Likely bin material but at least keeps the postie busy.

Not always, some are trash and only last weeks others seem to have the claimed life. "Corn" types are the worst offenders

Regarding the colour temp, I find daylight or cool white bulbs superb, we have them in every room, just some are much lower wattage if harshness is an issue and of course there's a greater:money:effect than buying higher wattage warm white LEDs

screwedagain

If changing dimmable halogen gu10 bulbs out for dimmable LED just check your dimmer switch too. It will require a minimum load to operate, and the low wattages of LED bulbs are usually below this level. You may need to replace the dimmer switch to one suited for the low wattages of LED.