Question about light bulbs.

cslogg

I have a light fitting that takes five 60w candle bulbs.
If I replaced these bulbs with five low energy ones would that be a good/bad idea?
I am not talking about low energy candles but normal mini bulbs.Would it be safe,would I get the same amount of light,would it be cost saving,apart from initial cost of the bulbs.I realise they will not look too impressive but I can live with that.

Thanks
cslogg

moonrakerz

Five conventional 60W bulbs will cost about 3p/hr to run.
Five 11W (60W equivalent) energy saving lamps will cost about 0.55p/hr.

Energy saving lamps have a life of around 8000 hours.
Conventional lamps have a life of 1000 hrs.

Over 8000 hrs, conventional lamps will cost you (300 X 8000)/1000 X 10p = £240 for electricity, plus 8 lots of lamps at £2 ea. Total £320
Over 8000, low energy lamps will cost you (55 X 8000)/1000 X 10p = £44 for electricity, plus one set of lamps at £3.60 ea. Total £62

I got my lamp prices from Google, I daresay you can get them cheaper/more expensive !

The only difference with low energy lamps is that they take a few minutes to come up to full brilliance and you can't use them with a dimmer switch (well, not ordinary low energy lamps !)

cslogg

Thanks for that moonrakerz.I am sure I read somewhere not too long ago that low energy candle or golf ball type bulbs are not very good but maybe someone can put me right.

cslogg