A word about low-energy light bulbs.

0rsen

There is no doubt that low-energy bulbs save money. However, things are not always what they seem. For instance, the information you are given will usually include the fact that the bulbs can last up to x number of times longer than conventional ones. Great. The problem is, the bulbs only come with a standard 12 months warranty and if they fail outside this limit, you are up a gum tree. I bought some on line last year and within 6 months two of them had failed. The supplier kicked up such a fuss when I enquired about replacements, that I didn't bother.
Anyway, the good news is that the future for cheap lighting lies in LEDs (light-emitting diodes). Last week, I bought half-a-dozen GU10, 60 LED bulbs for our kitchen. The bees knees! As each bulb only consumes a maximum of 1.6 watts the total for the kitchen is now less than 10 watts. Previously, with halogen bulbs, it was 300 watts. They are bright and they come on instantly. Also, they will be unlikely to have problems. I worked in electronics for 30 years and never knew an LED to fail. The 60 LED version is the only one worth buying at present. Any less, and they do not give out sufficient light. I am sure that in time the technology will improve and all lamps will be built this way.
By the way, they will not run off dimmer switches.

Poppycat

From what I been told LED are not good for lighting a home as yet. Only for highlighting features etc. I think its some years yet before they will be a viable alternative to low energy bulbs

I am not sure if 60 LED is fine, I think they must be rare to get.

Where did you get them from? Ebay perhaps

moonrakerz

0rsen wrote: »

The problem is, the bulbs only come with a standard 12 months warranty and if they fail outside this limit, you are up a gum tree

As most things come with a 12 month warranty, you seem to imply that we shouldn't buy anything that will last longer than 12 months !
My PC is about 5 years old, my trusty old CRT TV must be in double figures - and the fridge must be at least 15 years old - I obviously made bad choices when I bought them. :rolleyes:

0rsen

Ah, but you can repair your TV and computer.

0rsen

Poppycat wrote: »

From what I been told LED are not good for lighting a home as yet. Only for highlighting features etc. I think its some years yet before they will be a viable alternative to low energy bulbs

I am not sure if 60 LED is fine, I think they must be rare to get.

Where did you get them from? Ebay perhaps

That's what I said. The 60 LED is the only viable one. I had a couple of smaller ones earlier and they were not too good. These 60s are great.
Yes, I did get them off ebay. About £6 each including postage.

Jonesya

0rsen wrote: »

I worked in electronics for 30 years and never knew an LED to fail.

They rarely fail but the light output reduces as they age so LED life is normally referenced to the typical number of operating hours before light output has fallen by, a certain percentage say 30%.

Poppycat

Had a look on Ebay but couldnt find any mr18 led with 60 LEDS

Poppycat

I know I was just implying that its not easy to get hold off many of the electrical wholesalers dont stock them

0rsen wrote: »

That's what I said. The 60 LED is the only viable one. I had a couple of smaller ones earlier and they were not too good. These 60s are great.
Yes, I did get them off ebay. About £6 each including postage.

geordie_joe

0rsen wrote: »

The problem is, the bulbs only come with a standard 12 months warranty and if they fail outside this limit, you are up a gum tree. I bought some on line last year and within 6 months two of them had failed. The supplier kicked up such a fuss when I enquired about replacements, that I didn't bother.

That's because you don't know how to complain.

If your bulbs fail complain to the manufacturer not the shop you bought them from.

If you are not happy with the shop you might not buy from the shop again, the shop will decide whether your custom is worth bothering with.

If you complain to the manufacturer, and make it clear you may never by their products again, they will be more likely to keep you happy.

Also you don't need a receipt or even tell them where you bought the product, just send it back and let them know you are not happy with their company.

I sent two of my free bulbs back to philips because one was dead on arrival and the other went into the toilet and died the next morning when I switched it on.

I sent them mback to Philips with a letter that just said "You can have these back, they didn't last a day. I wanted to save money but these bulbs weren't worth what I paid for them"

Two weeks later I got two new bulbs in the post. No letter of apology for their substandard bulbs, just an invoice saying no charge.

Go straight to the company and let them know you are not happy with the company. Not that you are unhappy with one of it's products, you are unhappy with the company. Then leave them to work out you may never buy none of that company's products again. The big ones pay people to ensure you will.

Savvy_Sue

geordie_joe wrote: »

I sent two of my free bulbs back to philips because one was dead on arrival and the other went into the toilet and died the next morning when I switched it on.

I didn't think you were meant to mix water and electricity? :rotfl:(sorry, couldn't resist!)

geordie_joe

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I didn't think you were meant to mix water and electricity? :rotfl:(sorry, couldn't resist!)

I thought it would save water when I flush