Yes, the low-energy bulbs are in fact very compressed fluorescent tubes - just ones which can be used in conventional sockets. There are quite a few different patterns about now although, as you say, it is difficult to get ones to fit some types of lampshade - particularly the upside-down cone pattern. One thing to remember is that with low-energy bulbs you usually get as much light from a 60W bulb as from a 100W tungsten.
Which leads me to a question I've asked before and received contradictory answers on - I'm not great with electrics!
I was told in my youth that while 'fluorescent' tube lighting was far more energy-efficient than tungsten bulbs this only applied over periods of one hour or more usage because the tubes used up a
lot of energy in the first seconds of use, initially heating up the electrodes. One figure that stuck in my mind was that turning on a strip light used as much energy as one hour's use of a conventional bulb -
therefore it was cheaper (money and energy-wise) to leave a tubular light
on for an hour than to turn it off and on for lesser periods?
In querying this I've been told, "Rubbish!" and "Of course ....".
Any physicists or electricians out there to get me out of my dilemma? The reason, of course, is that the same logic would apply to low-energy bulbs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by G0NYM  I have read through all the posts on this thread and can find no mention of clear bulbs all the energy saving bulbs that I can find look like miniature fluorescents is this the case,I would love to change to more efficient lighting
All my fittings have clear bulbs in and don't look right with those large bulky
bulbs in . I don't, think they will fit inside the shades anyway has any body got any ideas ....
Martin |