Energy Saving Lightbulbs

[Tinkerbell]

I wonder if anyone has had a similar experience to us. We bought a higher wattage energy saving lightbulb earlier this year - not cheap - and it recently expired, with a bit of flashing and noise. Two of the elements had fused together in one place.

Is this normal for the end of these bulbs and how long should we expect them to last?

Tinkerbell

[Hedera]

There was a report in the paper today that on testing, 1 of every 4 "longlife" bulbs failed to deliver their optimum wattage. They didn't say how many popped. I certainly think they give less light after a while. So now you put two lights on?????

[charlieb]

Take it back to the shop

[epops]

There utter rubbish got loads here the energy company keeps sending them to us we bought some that blew in about a month

[SheffieldLass]

If you want to learn more about why the energy efficient light bulbs don't last as long as claimed, don't give as much light as is claimed, don't save as much energy as is claimed, it was all explained a few minutes ago on Radio 4 More or Less (which is produced in association with the OU). Here is a link:

BBC News - A paler shade of light?

[Boddie]

What a bonus. I bought 2 today and neither of them fitted the socket I need to plug them in to. I had to secure them with tape as they would not secure by the bayonet

[Tormentil]

Watch out for the Fuzz Boddie, 'cause I think bayonets come under the new 'knife wielding' laws. You could spend Xmas in der nick.

[ChrisR]

Energy-saving bulbs are definitely less bright than they are quoted on the box in their 'equivalent' wattage - the 1:4 wattage ratio quoted on one of those sites sounds a bit better. But I am convinced that they do last a lot longer than tungsten - I changed to energy-savers mainly because I was tired of changing tungsten bulbs every month around the house. So far I have only replaced a couple of energy-savers and one of those was just faulty.

One word of caution I would add though is that the "curly" energy-savers is that they are incredibly fragile and you have to watch how you hold them - especially with tight bayonet-fit sockets. They are made of very thin glass and they flex if you hold them by the glass - I cracked one that way

[Hedera]

Just had a nice Christmas box from power co. with four "green" tuby bulbs, one of which was a screw-in! They were all low wattage, so thanks but no thanks. I shall donate them to somewhere!

[Hedera]

Came across the fact that these EU low energy light bulbs emit ultra-violet light and have been causing problems to some people: "sunburnt" ear on the side of head next to a reading lamp, vague headaches etc. Are they really safe for close lamps?

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Hedera

Came across the fact that these EU low energy light bulbs emit ultra-violet light and have been causing problems to some people: "sunburnt" ear on the side of head next to a reading lamp, vague headaches etc. Are they really safe for close lamps?

Internally U.V. light is created, but is absorbed by the phosphor (white coating) on the inside of the tube and converted to visible light. I'd be very surprised if the little U.V. light that may escape being absorbed would be sufficient to cause skin damage.

Jim

[green me]

Hiya!

Take a look at the resources on The Greener Together website. I found some really useful tips on energy saving light bulbs, as well as, loft insulation and solid wall insulation.

Resources for greener living | Greener Together

[animartco]

Oh Good old OU! I find it difficult to see things in corners and I can't read after dark. The lights in my living room are down to about five candle power. For most people I suppose replacing after at the most six months! When are th proper light bulbs coming back into the shops?