Thursday 11 February 2016

Are we a bit dim when it comes to light bulbs?

I don't know about you, but I am finding it a bit difficult to get my head around light bulb comparisons between the old standard light bulbs, halogen, CFL and now the LED versions. Its only a matter of time before I get there, but as the newer bulbs are designed to last years, I shall probably forget next time around!

As each bulb blows, particularly the halogen and CFL versions, we are aiming to replace them with their brighter, quicker to 'light' LED cousins.

These chaps are not cheap, seemingly anywhere between £5 and £12 each depending on how bright they are. Although the chart below gives some ideas when trying to decide what you need in watt comparisons, it seems we now need to get lumens into our brains rather than watts!
Although this chart is useful, not all companies employ it. Quite a few minor variations exist which complicate things further.

Once you get that into your head, you also need to know what bases you have. Have you got a small or large Edison screw, do you have large or small bayonet bases, see here.

Final thoughts must then turn onto whether you need them to be able to dim or not. Ah well, just another thing to adapt to!


8 comments:

  1. I went from standard (incandescent) bulbs to CFLs about 6-7 years ago. Now I'm switching to LEDs because I'm not happy that the CFLs contain mercury. Also the LEDs are brighter/whiter and don't take time to 'warm up' like the CFS. Our winters are dark and dreary and a good few lights help keep away the winter SAD. P.S. Yes, switching up all those years ago DID make a big difference on my electric bill.

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    1. PS - I replaced 26 bulbs, so the $ difference was noticable.

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  2. I think we changed to cfl's a few years ago as well. Not sure we have noticed too big a saving by just those, as year on year, we try to reduce as many costs as possible.

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  3. We bought LED halogens in a sealed unit guaranteed for 10 years cost £21.50 each. They are fantastic but a costly Investment.

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  4. And what about a replacement for the old 150watt bulb...which is what we'd have used if we actually wanted to do anything much! Good old progress eh. x

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    1. I think if you have to rely on a single bulb it might be difficult. Luckily, we no longer have lights like those as all our ceiling lights have at least two bulbs in them.

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  5. Did you know that cfl bulbs have a small risk of catching light as they fail. We have turned completely to led bulbs. We find the 60w equivilant 710 lumen Wilkinsons leds give as much brightness as an incandecent 100w bulb.

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  6. Gosh .... it all used to be so simple!!

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