Phasing out of regular bulbs

[Carol Anne]

Apparently in about 4 years time we will all be forced to switch to Energy saving bulbs, as regular incandescent will be phased out and unavailable to buy. This fills me with horror, as although I use the ES lamps in the places I would normally want fluorescent lights: cupboards, garage, loft etc, I do not want them in my lovely comfy bedroom, where lighting is a prime part of the decor and ambiance, same with the other 'living' roooms of the house where we like to relax with soft lighting. Now some powers that be would have me light the place up like a seafront guesthouse in Wigan.
These ES bulbs are great in there place (or if you happen to like fluorescent lighting in your lounge) The harsh white light produces the atmoshpere of an institution and if not at all pleasant.
I understand the argument about all the extra heat normal bulbs produced, but in todays temperature controlled homes that is simply not an issue. The stat will operate with heat from whatever source. I have also fittted a dimmer plug to every lamp and fitted each with a 150watt bulb. Each is turned down to the level of the 40 or 60 watt bulb that it would normally have, and guess what, I haven't had a bulb to change in over 18 months. Underunning the 150w lamps on about 160volts with the dimmers has an incredible effect on prolonging the life if the lamp. I am also stockpiling bulbs, squirreling them away every week like a mad thing, especially where they sell quality types cheaply at Lidl etc. No one will dictate to me how to light my home!! Does any one know for certain what the govt's plan is to carry this out?

[Androcles]

Yep - it's true - another piece of inspired lunacy by our government - see http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml; jsessionid=SYDDMC0JE5UO5QFIQMGSFGGAVCBQWIV0?xm l=/opinion/2008/01/05/do0503.xml for details of the timetable (near the end of the article. The same paper has an article that doctors are now saying that certain ilnesses are made worse by this kind of bulb - some people have photosensitive skins and need normal bulbs....

[gucciman]

i cant stand the energy saving bulbs for the simple fact that they aren't bright enough. i like my rooms nice and bright, cant stand them dull.

[Buenchico]

My main concern is finding low energy bulbs dim enough. I've been working at my PC for hours now and the only light I've got on is a (conventional tungsten) 25W bulb in my desk lamp. I find it's ideal for writing and reading. (A 40W bulb produces 'glare' from some documents). Hardly any shops that sell low-energy bulbs stock one equivalent to 25W. Even finding a low-energy bulb equivalent to 40W is difficult.

However, the actual reasons behind the move are sound enough, and the move should be applauded. The official Government press release is here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_07 0737

Chris

[Ice.Maiden]

Am I supposed to put them in my chandeliers??? How gross will that look! I think it's about time people stopped bowing down to all these ridiculous rules, and said enough's enough!

[Buenchico]

I've just found another thread where someone can't find low-energy lamps which are dim enough for their needs:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question50 3551.html#top

At least it's forced me to find a source, so that I can answer their question (and carry on using my desk lamp as well)!

Chandeliers, Ice Maiden? Don't worry about them. Just get the butler to follow you around with the candelabra ;-)

Chris

[Carol Anne]

Ice maiden has a point, many specialist light fitting and luminaires will not accept energy saving lamps as they are the wrong shape and size. The outside light above my back door wont take one, and if you go into any of these fancy designer lighting stores you will find much of the merchandise is designed for conventional bulbs. Will there be an outcry from that trade I wonder?
Crystal chandelliers lit by clear candle lamps look stunning in any location, and now they want to turn them fluorescent... what a travesty.
I wonder also how many of the fine govermnent buildings in whitehall will be exempt!

[EngTeach]

The US govt also has a plan like that. I too worry about finding them with low wattage. Some of the fixtures require no more than 40 watts. I can either be in the dark or risk a fire by putting a higher wattage one in.

They look awful in decorative lights. They do last longer though.