Energy saving light bulbs

[persianlady]

I saw it on the tv news today about the phasing out of the ordinary light bulb in favour of these energy saving ones. There are questions being asked about the safety of these new bulbs because they contain small amounts of mercury. That is worrying. But my question is, why do they have to be so big? And why do they have to be so bright? Even the lowest are too bright for me. They are all too big for my existing light fittings which I do not want to replace. I have not got any dimmer switches at present. Would these solve my problem? If so, this would only be a solution for the ceiling lights. What about table lamps?
I want to do my bit for the environment, but these things really annoy me!

[delboy3]

Bright? You're kidding - the ones I've seen were like stepping back into Victorian days.

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

Dimmer switches won't necessarily solve your problem because most low-energy bulbs can't be used with dimmer switches.

It is possible to get quite dim low-energy bulbs. The problem is that, because they're less popular, it's hard to find them at the same low prices as the brighter ones.

I've also moaned about the problems of getting hold of relatively dim low-energy bulbs, here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Home-and-Garden /Question503456.html#top

They do exist. For example Maplins sell a 7W bulb, with a 'B22' (= 'BC' = standard "bayonet cap") base for �2.99. That gives the same light output as a 35W tungsten bulb. The problem is that you can't buy it in their shops. It's only available online:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ITAG=SPEC& ModuleNo=98198&doy=6m1#spec

[Buenchico]

They also sell a 5W candle bulb (with a B22 base, which will fit in most light fittings - such as my desk lamp and many table lamps - even if they weren't designed for candle bulbs) for �2.99. That has an output equivalent to a 25W tungsten bulb. The web site doesn't mark them as 'web only' but I'm not very confident about whether my local branch of Maplins will have them in stock when I need one:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ITAG=SPEC& ModuleNo=46267&doy=6m1#spec

I fail to see why anyone should be worried about the immediate safety of a sealed unit just because it contains mercury. I accept that there might be concerns over re-cycling them but, if we're all going to start worrying about sealed units with mercury in them, there will be thousands of thermometers and barometers which will have to be disposed of.

Chris

[Bazile]

j

[kwicky]

I have yet to dispose of a long life bulb after many years of use.

[scanner]

Isn't this the same sort of story about the Mercuary we had about Fluorescent tubes a few years ago?

[scanner]

Whoops ...Mercury..

[persianlady]

Thanks for the feedback. I will be taking a trip to Maplins this weekend to have a look. They do seem expensive though. Perhaps when we all have to use them (mercury permitting) they will come down in price. Thanks again.