Energy saving Light Bulbs

PJTX100

For info I've replaced over 20 bulbs in the house with these.

The light is crisp and very bright, I think they are as bright as a 60w.

Stick out some shades slightly because of size, but to be honest it's not as big an issue as I thought.

For 49p (or 44p on 10% off days) each they are very good value.

I had to buy some twist fitting ones for a couple of fittings and they were nearly 10 times the price!

ad47uk

The Hi-fi is easy enough to turn off, it is the PS3, Wii, T.V and 5.1 amp that is the problem, they are all plugged in behind the T.V and is impossible to get at unless I move the T.V.

robh2002

Can you not still put an extension block between the socket and these items and put in a switch? You'd only have to move the TV once. I used to have everything (hifi, PS3, TV, tuner, pre-amp, power amp etc.!) plugged in this way - worked a treat.

stevetrax

Put a energy saving light bulb in my room and about 15 mins later it popped....so much for that. Even more bad news the breaker went and had to turn it back on as all of the upstairs lights went too. Now only my room can't get any light at all even though the rest of the upstairs lights work fine...grrr so annoying

nvingo

Is the light-switch in your room a normal one or a dimmer ?
Can you get a refund on the bulb - they're supposed to be "guaranteed" for several years ?

johntheexpat

An interesting point was raised by a letter to the Telegraph last week.  As most incandescent lights seem to blow when turned on, presumably due to the sudden power surge etc, if you use dimmer switches as a matter of course when turning them on they seem to last much longer.  It would seem reasonable I suppose, because it avoids the sudden power surge.
That may be a better way ahead for all those who don't like energy efficient bulbs and possibly cheaper than filling your boots with incandescent bulbs - use a dimmer and keep a few bulbs going longer?

whatsupdoc

Certainly agree with that last - the two rooms where I fitted dimmers decades ago have never had to have a lightbulb changed.

Mind you, one of the dimmers failed!

Sonic67

It's true that a lower voltage makes the bulbs last longer. A slightly higher voltage will make them burn brighter and also last a shorter time. However the optimum life/brightness is what they were designed for. So if your bulb is too bright you are better off using a lower wattage bulb and the voltage they should be at.

nvingo

I don't think you are appreciating the reason for using a dimmer switch. It is not to run the bulb at less than maximum brightness/optimum design power. Although that is what a dimmer switch is designed to do, the side effect of using one is to "gradually" apply power to the bulb and reducing failure due to the filament heating too fast.

leedswillprevai

I don't know if this has already been mentioned and I am all for saving energy but these energy saving light bulbs contain mercury. Now it's apparent what a potentially toxic situation you have if one breaks and for that matter on the disposal of them. In fact I find it yet another disgusting example of how the corporations and government really don't give a damn about the earth.