energy saving lightbulbs- which are best?

AnnaV

We have some from Ikea which aren't very good- the light is a bit orangey and not that bright.

So I was wondering if there are any that give light that is as close as possible to conventional lightbulbs?

Also I've read about LEDs which are even more efficient- but I don't think they are on the market over here yet. Anyone know anything else?

Thanks

weekendwarrior

The main difference between good quality and poor quality energy efficient lamps is known as light "quality". The
quality of the light is defined by what colours the white light is made from (think about a rainbow which splits white light up into colours). A cheap light uses colours that just about make white, and expensive light uses all the colours.

This is important because detailed work (reading, cooking, wiring) require good quality light - or it is difficult to read/cook/wire. For example, in the extreme case you cannot tell the colour of the wire insulation under a yellow sodium street lamp cos it only contains a single yellow colour.

Therefore :
general lighting - use cheap bulbs
reading/detail - use expensive bulbs

halogen bulbs - generally very good quality
tungsten bulbs - good quality (little red)
expensive energy efficient - good to OK
cheap energy efficient - **** to good.
LED - often very poor

I would get expensive energy efficient and you should be ok with them!

weekendwarrior

Forgot to mention that good quality bulbs outlast cheap quality bulbs as well.


Good luck

Joe_Bloggs

@Weekendwarrior
Is there a light output performance standard which is indicated to the consumer prior to purchase ?
@AnnaV
Take those dim bulbs back and complain. Perhaps there should have been a display of the bulbs to help customers decide on their purchase. It would not consume that much electricity.
J_B.
Don't try the high efficiency/low energy bulbs with a dimmer switch. They glow the same brightness regardless of the dimmer setting.

AnnaV

Thank you!

So do you have any brands that you could particuarly recommend?

Thanks x

Cagey

Omicron are the best energy saving lamps on the market. LED lamps do not give out mutch light even with 12 diodes or more. I think they will improve but they are not good enough yet for general lighting.

suzi00

Next time your local Focus is having a sale have a roumage around the blue boxes that are marked down sale items (these may vary from store to store) but in my local store they are generally marked down to around £3 each and they were a decent wattage. I have 3 light bulbs to each room and i've found them bright enough and not noticably yellow. I don't know if they are the best on the market but they were cheaper and i've seen them more than once after I cleared out my local Focus!!!