Low energy light bulbs
Posted by DavidM in Save energy | 23 October 2006
The last time I bought low energy bulbs was several years ago and they were hugely disappointing. Yes they used less electricity but they didn't fit in half my light fittings and took far too long to warm up to full brightness.
I still have a couple fitted in out of the way places but I've always wished they were smaller and better so I could use them more extensively throughout the house.
Then I read something in one of the papers about people's misconception of low energy bulbs as bulky. Yes, the article said, in the DIY superstores that's likely to be what you find, but online there are plenty of normal-sized bulbs.
So I looked, and there are. I found many shops selling low energy bulbs including candle bulbs and standard 60W equivalent - in both brightness and size.
Three shops in particular I noted for having reasonable prices were Tradelamp, BLT Direct and Pro Eco.
I bought a 5 pack of 11W normal-sized bulbs (equivalent to 60W brightness) and a pack of ten 9W spotlights (equivalent to 45W). These will replace our kitchen bulbs as they fail, as we live more in that room than any other.
Energy saving bulbs aren't cheap to buy. Mine worked out at £1.70 a bulb compared to about £0.38 for a standard bulb. However, they should last on average 4 times longer (making them equivalent to costing £0.42) and use only 18% of the electricity.
So a larger up-front investment will save you money in the long run and reduce your consumption.
I have one of the standard-sized 11W bulbs in the kitchen now. It still takes a minute or so to fully warm up but then you'd never know it was low energy.
Comments
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