low energy lightbulbs suitable for antique chandelier

[ilikecobwebs]

I think certain types of halogen lights are also for the chop. Not sure which ones exactly but I think it's the ones that loads of people have stuck in their kitchen and bathroom ceilings, like eyeballs. There are also low-voltage types, but not being an electrician I couldnt say which is which.
We've just had our house rewired, and it was interesting that neither the electrician nor the certificate-man really believed that the bulb thing would become fact........head in sand approach, maybe, but with Europe anything's possible.
I'm currently helping my mother-in-law to stockpile candlebulbs for her chandelier, with luck the bulb supplies will outlast her (meaning no disrespect, but I think you know what I mean).....she really likes her chandelier and is despondent about not being able to get bulbs for it in the future. It was also damned expensive, would look pretty down in Skip 9 at the local yard.

 

[Pford75]

I think certain types of halogen lights are also for the chop. Not sure which ones exactly but I think it's the ones that loads of people have stuck in their kitchen and bathroom ceilings, like eyeballs

If this is true, I think there could be huge opposition to the change. A massive number of houses have these lights. Assuming you can't purchase low energy halogens...does this mean that potentially mains halogen downlighters will become obsolete and need replacing?

 

[ilikecobwebs]

I've been looking through recent online articles to try and answer the halogen question; still not too sure, although this article does mention halogens as "popular in kitchens and bedrooms" as being highly energy-intensive.....so one has to assume that they ain't being smiled upon by Europe.
As it happens, we dont actually have any halogen lights in our house, so I've got no familiarity with them.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=441200&in_page_id=1766&ito=1490

Presumably all this energy "saved" will be wiped out in the future when/if the government in power gives the nod to building three million new homes; not only will that mean 3 x X million more active bulbs but also you have to think of the myriads of extra street lights that will go with them.

 

[Moo]

- and, of course, the surge in demand for 'patio heaters' as more and more pubs, restaurants and coffee-bars provide outside accommodation for their smoking customers.

 

[AMc]

Halogen downlighters are generally said to be 'more efficient' as the bulbs tend to be rated at 20W and 50W compared to 60W and 100W for standard bulbs BUT they cast a tighter, more directional beam than an incandesant bulb (even in a downlighter) so people tend to fit more in a room to get an even coverage.

Our kitchen has 5 under cupboard lights and 7 in the ceiling - assuming they're all 20W then 240W for the room. I don't think you could light it adequately with 4x 60W bulbs so on balance it probably saves some energy. Using ordinary fluorescents under the cupboards and compact fluorescents overhead would have saved more much energy probably getting it under 100W.

You can get LED replacements for halogen downlighters which consume just 1W or 2W- they're currently more expensive at £10-£20 a bulb but the LEDs should have a useful life of around 50,000 hours compared with 2000-5000 hours for Halogens. Hopefully demand will reduce the price significantly as it has for standard compact fluorescents.

You can also get compact fluorescent bulbs that directly replace mains voltage halogen downlighters. The rated life span is lower at 15,000 hours and they use more power than LEDs at 7-11W.

As with any alternative light bulb there are differences in the colour temperature, spread, intensity and start up times - so you need to buy with care and stick with the same manufacturers to ensure even lighting.

When we fit the new kitchen I'll be making sure it has adequate daylight so we need the lights on less and that we choose efficient fittings and appropriate bulbs.

Marvelous variety of bulbs....
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/results.jsp?N=411+500001+1002159&Ntk=gensearch_003&Ntt=GU10&Ntx=&isGoback=false

Here a few options based on a very quick check.

LED mains voltage GU10 fitting £10
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/Electrical,+Lighting+&+Security/LED+Lamps/UNBRANDED/GU10LEDWT/displayProduct.jsp?sku=LP03021

Compact Fluorescent GU10 fitting £9.50
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/Electrical,+Lighting+&+Security/Compact+Fluorescent+(Energy+Saving)/MEGAMAN/BR0707I/displayProduct.jsp?sku=LP02361

20W Halogen mains voltage GU10 fitting £1
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/Electrical,+Lighting+&+Security/Mains+Voltage/PRO-LITE/GU10/20/CLR/displayProduct.jsp?sku=LP02178

 

[jon_bail]

Can I suggest Ikea. They do a range of well priced low energy lights including some small SES round bulbs that look ok.