Nemesis
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7016020.stm
Just so you know.
Just so you know.
- Thread starter Nemesis
- Start date
bower1
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I've recently bought 2 different "energy saving" bulbs from Tesc* and they are absolutely rubbish. They take at least 5 minutes to see anything. I realise that they were cheaper than some other brands (which I have installed and are OK) but how can something be sold as energy saving if its only suitable for the bin.
I would like to think that the government would require all bulbs to reach a certain standard before being allowed to be sold, if they are in the process of banning stuff.
I would like to think that the government would require all bulbs to reach a certain standard before being allowed to be sold, if they are in the process of banning stuff.
skier-hughes
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So Tony Benn wants us to dump our tv's? Not much chance of that I shouldn't think. I think it should mean he wants tv's to use less energy!!
Nemesis
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I agree - and deal with the origins and the disposal issues also, which is not to say I don't use them but there are things to sort out before banning.
Flyfisher
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Agreed . . . like all those dimmer switches that will have to be replaced and binned.
[pedantry = on]
It might be Tony Benn's influence I suppose, but it's actually his boy-child making the announcement
[pedantry=off]
[pedantry = on]
It might be Tony Benn's influence I suppose, but it's actually his boy-child making the announcement
[pedantry=off]
Nemesis
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Well Flyfisher - good to know you have an on and off switch...
I don't have dimmers. Dim enough You can of course now get them to go with energy saving bulbs but I haven't.
I don't have dimmers. Dim enough You can of course now get them to go with energy saving bulbs but I haven't.
skier-hughes
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Sorry, I was talkking to my mechanic on the phone and his name is Tony, so Mr Benn became Tony Benn 
Flyfisher
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Dimmable low-energy bulbs are considerably more expensive than standard cfls, around 5x I think.
chuckey
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I have a TV without the "standby" mode, its a Sanyo 14" bought in 1973. I have to turn it on ever 6 months for 1/2 hour to keeps its electrolytics working!
More importently, because of the larger base diameter of low energy bulbs they do not fit every light fitting. So to give room for Benns ego, I have to change my light fittings. :evil:
Frank
More importently, because of the larger base diameter of low energy bulbs they do not fit every light fitting. So to give room for Benns ego, I have to change my light fittings. :evil:
Frank
biffvernon
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It was two years ago that 't lad put this piece, Lights Out For Incandescents on his blog. The government may be slow but they get there in the end.
Nemesis
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It's not a prob in general terms, but the devil is in the detail.
I mostly have low whatsists, but I worry about where they are manufactured and the disposal.
I mostly have low whatsists, but I worry about where they are manufactured and the disposal.
Andrew Bodenham
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I was in the electrical factors today, and started looking at their display of low energy bulbs whilst I stood in the queue. This led to me buying a low energy (fluorescent) replacement for the GU10 halogen bulbs I use in some downlighters. (Ah, I feel better for having confessed to having the luminaires of Satan in my "period" house) Previously I've been a bit dubious about these things on account of their cost and rather lurid colour temperature.
Anyway, to cut a long ramble short, when I paid for the thing I was alerted to a 15p disposal surcharge, apparently imposed on wholesalers from on high, to cover end-of-life disposal of non-binnable consumables like fluorescent tubes, and low energy lights which are covered by the WEEE regulations. This is the first time I've come across this, and I wonder how it will feed down into the retail sector. Will you be able to take your dead bulbs back to Tesco so they can dispose of them correctly?
Has anybody else come across this charge? I think it's a good idea, as I hate the idea of low energy bulbs getting landfilled, with all their electronic components etc. Better still would be a deposit, where you got 20p back when you returned the duds to the shop. Now that stirs up a memory....
Anyway, to cut a long ramble short, when I paid for the thing I was alerted to a 15p disposal surcharge, apparently imposed on wholesalers from on high, to cover end-of-life disposal of non-binnable consumables like fluorescent tubes, and low energy lights which are covered by the WEEE regulations. This is the first time I've come across this, and I wonder how it will feed down into the retail sector. Will you be able to take your dead bulbs back to Tesco so they can dispose of them correctly?
Has anybody else come across this charge? I think it's a good idea, as I hate the idea of low energy bulbs getting landfilled, with all their electronic components etc. Better still would be a deposit, where you got 20p back when you returned the duds to the shop. Now that stirs up a memory....
ilikecobwebs
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Does anyone know what is likely to happen to the daylight-spectrum bulbs? Those blue-tinged ones that are very helpful for close-up work, like craftwork and art, or even just reading? I know they dont simulate daylight precisely, but I've found them more comfortable for these kinds of jobs than the low-energy ones, and I do a lot of close-up work as in various hobbies. I've already "stockpiled" a dozen of them while they are still around. Maybe they'll be exempt, but I dont trust any politician on this one, so I'm buying em while they're on the shelves.
The whole bulb thing is barmy anyway; I believe it probably costs more energy to actually make the things than what they save. P'raps I should stockpile a bit of lamp oil and get the old Tilley lamp working again........
The whole bulb thing is barmy anyway; I believe it probably costs more energy to actually make the things than what they save. P'raps I should stockpile a bit of lamp oil and get the old Tilley lamp working again........
Penners
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Andrew - please could you let me know your experience of low energy GU10's? I want to get some, but have been warned that the low energy ones are much dimmer than the 50W halogens that they replace.Andrew Bodenham said:
What wattage are yours, and are you happy with their light output?
Many thanks.
Penners
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I recommend new elastic.Nemesis said:
Chris1roll
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Andrew Bodenham said:
Its more to do with the fact they are filled with mercury vapour.
I'm going to stockpile tungsten lamps, if only for the lead lamps for working under the car etc, you put a CFL in there, and it will last less than a couple hours - the second anything falls on it or weld spatters on it, it will crack open and you get a facefull of mercury vapour. Good eh? worst that would happen with a tungsten lamp would be you'd be plunged into darkness. Perhaps we'll have people going "mad as a mechanic" in later years.
Happened to me several times before I found out what was in them.
Yet more legislation where all of the possible consequences have not een considered.
Andrew Bodenham
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Penners,
The GU10 replacement I've tried is made by Megaman - a google search will reveal a number of online suppliers e.g.
http://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/variant_detail.asp?var=4056
I paid about £6 +VAT, which makes some of the online sites look a bit steep.
There is a range of wattages from 7 - 11W. I got the 11W version, and I have to say that it is brighter than a 50W halogen bulb. The Megaman bulb is a multi-part fluorescent tube encapsulated in a GU10 compatible body, although the body is a little longer than the halogen equivalent, so may not fit all lumineres.
Start up is quick, though not instant - full power in about 2 - 3 seconds.
Colour temperature is claimed to be about 3000K, ("warm white") but it does look decidedly cooler than the halogens. I think if I replaced them all it would be fine, but seeing them together I prefer the visual effect of the halogens. But then I think of all that power and heat....
Given the claimed 15000 hour life I think I'm converted.
I haven't tried one of the LED based alternatives - I think they use even less power but I suspect they will give a rather blue light. Anybody had any experience with these?
The GU10 replacement I've tried is made by Megaman - a google search will reveal a number of online suppliers e.g.
http://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/variant_detail.asp?var=4056
I paid about £6 +VAT, which makes some of the online sites look a bit steep.
There is a range of wattages from 7 - 11W. I got the 11W version, and I have to say that it is brighter than a 50W halogen bulb. The Megaman bulb is a multi-part fluorescent tube encapsulated in a GU10 compatible body, although the body is a little longer than the halogen equivalent, so may not fit all lumineres.
Start up is quick, though not instant - full power in about 2 - 3 seconds.
Colour temperature is claimed to be about 3000K, ("warm white") but it does look decidedly cooler than the halogens. I think if I replaced them all it would be fine, but seeing them together I prefer the visual effect of the halogens. But then I think of all that power and heat....
Given the claimed 15000 hour life I think I'm converted.
I haven't tried one of the LED based alternatives - I think they use even less power but I suspect they will give a rather blue light. Anybody had any experience with these?