Topic: Energy saving light bulbs

[grandadg]

Just popped in to my local Tesco store (Rotherham), they are selling energy saving light bulbs both bayonet and screw fitting in various wattages any five for 40p.

[Baaaaaaaa]

I  noticed this also in South Birmingham's big Tesco store.

I did wonder if it was a misprint and should be £4.00, which would still be good value as most of them are normally £1.00 or £1.50.

I didn't actually buy any though, as I wanted a small bayonet fitting - the only type they don't appear to do in energy saving format.

[caroline7758]

Maartin Lewis mentioned these in his newsletter this week so you'll need to be quick!

[grandadg]

Just to confirm, it was definitely any five for 40p. I re-bulbed our chandelier and all the spot lights cost me 80p  They were selling very fast

[powerspade]

I changed all my bulbs for the new energy savers a year ago, the problem I have is that they do not last very long. 6 have gone within the past 3 months. also I have now found out that they are full of mercury and cannot be put into the wheelie bin. So I had to travel 9 miles to a specialist disposal site to get rid of them. So now I have replaced all my low energy bulbs back to the old filament ones, and have built up a stock of they as they are being phased out.

[Slug_killer]

It says on the packet that you cannot use these for timers or dimmers.

Dimmers I can understand, but timers ?

My down stairs rooms all have wall lights that take candle bulbs. The little cloth hats don't fit on if you use energy saving light bulbs

Looks like I, also, need to start stocking up with the old type.

[GodfreyRob]

I changed all my bulbs for the new energy savers a year ago, the problem I have is that they do not last very long. 6 have gone within the past 3 months. also I have now found out that they are full of mercury and cannot be put into the wheelie bin. So I had to travel 9 miles to a specialist disposal site to get rid of them. So now I have replaced all my low energy bulbs back to the old filament ones, and have built up a stock of they as they are being phased out.

I have a particular gripe about these so-called 'energy saving' bulbs. For a number of reasons I have also stopped using them:

It must use so much more energy to make them in the first place compared to filament bulbs.
They have never lasted very long for us.
The worst thing is they are too slow to come on (even alleged 'newer' ones) and are dangerous on stairs as you get half way up/down before you can see.
They are ugly.
Mercury is very bad for the environment!
In a well-insulated house the heat from filament bulbs is not wasted!

I too have taken them out.

However, the 'light' at the end of the tunnel is provided by LED bulbs. Too expensive at the moment but:

They come on instantly
Some can be used with dimmers
They do not contain mercury
They use 1/10th (or less) energy of the best 'energy-saving' compact flurescent bulbs.

I have tried them and they really are good, but I will wait until they get cheaper before changing over the whole house.

[Larkshall]

I have been using these economy lamps for about 10 years, I recently disposed of the original Philips "Jam Pot" lamps (cost over £10 each), not because they had failed but because there are better ones now available (cost 20p each).

I am interested in the LED ones but LED's give a very "cold" light, reminiscent of the old mercury vapour street lamps (B----- Awful). If they can make a "warm" white LED then I think they are on a winner. 20p each would be a good target to aim for.

[GodfreyRob]

I have been using these economy lamps for about 10 years, I recently disposed of the original Philips "Jam Pot" lamps (cost over £10 each), not because they had failed but because there are better ones now available (cost 20p each).

I am interested in the LED ones but LED's give a very "cold" light, reminiscent of the old mercury vapour street lamps (B----- Awful). If they can make a "warm" white LED then I think they are on a winner. 20p each would be a good target to aim for.

There are 'warmer' ones becoming available - I just got a LED replacement for a 50watt halogen - the light is just as bright (and warm) and runs at 1.4w!

[SamLouise]

It surprises me at how many seem to be having problems with these bulbs not lasting too long.  We swapped to energy bulbs years ago and some of them are still going!  Couple of weeks ago we had a box of five (of various wattages) delivered for free by our energy company - so that's the stock topped up  ;D