Low Energy Light Bulbs

[the-e-dealer]

Ive been told low energy bulbs emit poison gases and I should get rid of all of mine. Is this true?

[Annette Curtain]

No, just breath harder with ALL THE LIGHTS on ted.

Save the planet an' all that.

[nimby]

Thats a bit nasty!

[Salsaboy]

Low energy light bulbs used to contain mercury which classified them as hazardous waste. Not sure if that is still the case.

[maxxi]

I got a box full of the kind sponsored by British Gas when they were 15p ea in Somerfield/co-op some years back. Philips 11w (60w light) they were/are supposed to last 10 years - they don't last 10 years... and they sometimes explode when they die and if they just die you can't throw them in the bin - they have to be disposed of as a type of hazardous waste.

When you replace them you realise how much they had dimmed by how bright the replacement is.

When they're all used up I am going back to oil lamps... now if I could just get my hands on a whale...

[katie1997]

Where's *Bob* when you need him?

[Marmora Man]

Most light fittings can now be adapted to use LEDs - even fancy ones, such as chandeliers, candle look alikes and others. Dulwich DIY has the system - first unit is expensive but then replacing the LEDs is low cost and the system is compatible with dimmer switches.

[Burbage]

Give it a year or two and dimmble LED light bulbs that don't need special fittings, or fancy installations, should be available at a reasonable price.

Currently, they're about ?35 (down from about ?50 a few months ago - example here) so it's probably not worth splashing out on them yet. But they should be more efficient and last much longer than than the standard energy-efficient flourescent lamps* and a warmer light than current LED systems.

*These can last 8 years or whatever it says on the box, but as maxxi pointed out, a lot don't. Especially the dirt-cheap versions trotted out by the utility companies as a cynical way of spending the Renewables Obligation on heavily-branded packaging. Something that should never be forgotten when reading the guff they print on your bill, or watching the ads you're having to pay for.

[DulwichFox]

Energy Saving Bulbs.

Dangers With CFL Bulbs

By Cat McCabe, eHow Contributor

Dispose of CFL bulbs carefully.

Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) provide energy savings as well as light.

According to the University of Florida website, compact fluorescents use a quarter of the energy of incandescents and can last up to 10 times longer. These benefits do not come without risks.

CFL bulbs contain trace amounts of mercury, a deadly poison. Many of these bulbs have a spiral-tube construction, which means a larger surface area of glass that can break.

Compact fluorescents also must be installed in ventilated (open) fixtures or they will quickly overheat.

http://www.ehow.com/list_7201616_dangers-cfl-bulbs.html

[the-e-dealer]

Yeah but do they emit poison gases when on?

[Huguenot]

No

[the-e-dealer]

Thought so thanks. I'll put the gas masks back in their boxes!

[Marmora Man]

Burbage Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Give it a year or two and dimmble LED light bulbs

> that don't need special fittings, or fancy

> installations, should be available at a reasonable

> price.

>

> Currently, they're about ?35 (down from about ?50

> a few months ago - example here) so it's probably

> not worth splashing out on them yet. But they

> should be more efficient and last much longer than

> than the standard energy-efficient flourescent

> lamps* and a warmer light than current LED

> systems.

>

> *These can last 8 years or whatever it says on the

> box, but as maxxi pointed out, a lot don't.

> Especially the dirt-cheap versions trotted out by

> the utility companies as a cynical way of spending

> the Renewables Obligation on heavily-branded

> packaging. Something that should never be

> forgotten when reading the guff they print on your

> bill, or watching the ads you're having to pay

> for.

The Dulwich DIY "system" costs about ?5.00 per lamp initially, therefater it's pennies I think. So a chandelier with 15 lamps is going to be expensive - but for one or two bedside / armchair side lamps it's not so bad.

[Pam50]

Just used these for LED lights. Excellent service and competitive prices (and free batteries as a gift!)

http://www.energybulbs.co.uk/

[computedshorty]

I will still use the old type bulbs they are available on Amazon very cheap by ten any size or opaque or clear.

I have had a problem with every new type bulb.

Most Super Markets still have them, but they are listed as Domestic Use.

[the-e-dealer]

What was the problem? Poisoning ?

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

The problem I have is the noise they make. Is it me - should I adjust my aluminium foil?

[aquarius moon]

Maxxi wrote:

' I got a box full of the kind sponsored by British Gas when they were 15p ea in Somerfield/co-op some years back. Philips 11w (60w light) they were/are supposed to last 10 years - they don't last 10 years... and they sometimes explode when they die and if they just die you can't throw them in the bin - they have to be disposed of as a type of hazardous waste.'

I got more than a box full of these & I'm still using them in every room.

Didn't even realise they were dangerous, as never had any explode or overheat (yet!)

Should I remove them all & go back to traditional light bulbs?

[nimby]

Thats what my OP was asking!

[maxxi]

AM: I'm still using them because I've learned to duck - no, look, I replace them when they start to dim (about 6 months) which seems to have solved the problem (pre-empts their neurotic/temperamental demise) until I run out. After that it's back to the whale oil.