The lifespan of energy saving lightbulbs are never what they claim to be. I don't think I've ever had one that I use on a daily basis that's lasted much more than a year, yet some claim to have lifespans of up to 10 years. I don't doubt they use less energy when they are in use than standard light bulbs, but when you factor their disappointing life expectancy are they really worth the extra cost?
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[Misc] Energy Saving Lightbulbs never last as long as they claim
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beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 35,312
which sort, CFL or halogen? i find the halogen good. i find the CFL to be utter shite. not sure if its cheap quality or they aren't suitable to frequent on/off cycles, ive found i replace CFLs more frequently than old school bulbs. moving to LED as deals allow, normal prices are too high but occasionally there's value (screwfix doing 5 for £10 on standard size bayonet at the moment)
Bloody useless.
If I want to use a room after the hours of darkness with one of these things fitted I switch the light on about 10 minutes beforehand, just to give the bulb a fighting chance of arriving at some sort of luminosity beyond twilight.
If I want to use a room after the hours of darkness with one of these things fitted I switch the light on about 10 minutes beforehand, just to give the bulb a fighting chance of arriving at some sort of luminosity beyond twilight.
Mr Banana
Tedious chump
This would be such a good name for a Half Man Half Biscuit song
Bold Seagull
strong and stable with me, or...
I think you may want to consider testing your circuits as energy saving bulbs are more sensitive to voltage surges than conventional tungsten. Do you have any dimmer switches as they don't like them either. This maybe a case of cheaper bulbs? Or loose connections somewhere that is causing them to fail earlier in their lifespan.
Cian
Well-known member
CFL is a crap, borderline dangerous technology. LED doesn't have the power-on problems and generally lasts a lot longer.
Seagull58
In the Algarve
I was having problems with bulbs failing after 1 week to 3 months because I had a dimmer switch, even though it was always turned full on. Once I got an electrician to bypass the dimmer I have not had a bulb fail. I made a point of saving the receipts and took several bulbs back for free replacement if they failed within 3 months.
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 35,312
not so great for being turned on and off then. leave them on to save them... reduce the cost saving. doubtful anything on the lighting circuit to cause problems as only other lights should be present. lets face it they are a poo solution that was a stop gap until LED got to a sensible price for suitable lumen output.
DavidRyder
Well-known member
- Jul 23, 2013
- 2,885
I have similar disappointment with 'Bags For Life' - the 'life' span of a fruit fly?
Funny you say that because written on Asda's bag of life it says they will replace the bag free of charge if damaged. I did just that today.
Birdie Boy
Well-known member
- Jun 17, 2011
- 4,108
I was told this in co-op the other day by the cashier. Just take it in and they will swap it.
DavidRyder
Well-known member
- Jul 23, 2013
- 2,885
That is knowledge that I didn't have re the bags - thanks. Not sure if Sainsbury's do the same, I'll investigate (especially as plastic bags are 5p now!)
- Jul 10, 2003
- 25,857
No If the handles split on a Sainsbury's bag they are designed to slit your wrists
*I'll get my coat*
Normal Rob
Well-known member
I've not changed a light bulb in my house for over 5 years, including a landing light that has been on all night, almost every night, for the whole of that time. Seems as though my experience is in contrast to those on here,
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 35,312
turning off and on that knackers most electrical items. there was apparently a bulb over a door at a fire station that was left on for 80 odd years or something ridiculous, until they pull the building down.
- Jul 10, 2003
- 25,857
I had energy saving light bulbs in my kitchen which were going all the time (these were the the ones that are about half the normal wattage). Over the last few years as they have died i've replaced about 8-9 of them with LED bulbs that are 5w equivalent to 50w and never had one of those go. They are about 5 or 6 quid each but worth it in the long run.
CorgiRegisteredFriend
Well-known member
I like your thinking.
GT49er
Well-known member
They're utter crap, but we will soon have no choice about using because of government (or is it EU?) dictats. They don't last long, and they're nowhere near as bright as the ordinary bulbs they're supposed to replace. 20 Watts equivalent to 100? - my ****! Managed to buy a pack of ten proper light bulbs for a fiver on a street market the other week - thank the lord for cash only trading!
severnside gull
Well-known member
One of life's great truisms is that nothing you buy lasts as long as it claims.
Another is that energy saving light bulbs work by giving less light. It's like a return to the freeking 17th century
Another is that energy saving light bulbs work by giving less light. It's like a return to the freeking 17th century