100 Watt Bulbs

[DaisyNonna]

Been told I should not be using them. What do you do? Find trying to read with any less light makes my eyes sore.

[tonyav]

Why should you not be using them, Daisy ?.

[Prudie]

Who tells you daisy? I stock up on them whenever I find them (in independent and smaller shops). None of the new low energy bulbs come close to the brightness of a 100 watt bulb.

[vakayu]

Are you simply talking about the EU regulations and withdrawal of them?

[tonyav]

I often get 100 watt bulbs for my elderly aunt.

[Prudie]

Yes unfortunately those of us who like them are classed as 'elderly aunts' :-)

[tonyav]

LOL.

[DaisyNonna]

Electrician. Said that they overheat. I said too bad and would continue. He said nothing over 60! Would need candles and flares at that level.

[Old_Geezer]

No you should be using 150 W and get some decent light to see by.

I don't think less light is going to make a lot of difference to the soreness of your eyes. After all I assume you don't spend hours staring at the bulb.

So long as your bulb doesn't overheat your lamp shade or fitting then the actual power it uses is up to you.

[Caribeing]

I always look out for 100 watt bulbs love a bright light those energy saving bulbs are dull and dismal, stupid EU rules again!!

[tonyav]

Has your 100 watt bulb melted the light fitting, Daisy ?.

[Old_Geezer]

I see posts get added as I write.
You do need to ensure the fitting and shade is rated to cope with the incandescent wattage. Other types of lighting produces less heat and tends to be measured in lumens instead of watts these days.

[Buenchico]

>>>Been told I should not be using them

It's illegal to manufacture and wholesale them but you can continue using the ones you've got.


>>>None of the new low energy bulbs come close to the brightness of a 100 watt bulb

Rubbish. While some '100W equivalent' bulbs (which typically consume 20W) might not appear as bright as 100W tungsten bulbs, there's nothing to stop you buying, say, a '150W equivalent' bulb (which uses around 30W) instead. That will definitely be bright enough and still result in around 70% energy saving.

[DaisyNonna]

Very uncomfortable in dim light and I read a great deal. Only 8 days until the nights start getting linger.

[THECORBYLOON]

Chris are 100W rough-service (industrial) bulbs not on sale legally still?

[Buenchico]

TCL:
I believe so (but often at wildly inflated prices!)

[tonyav]

Plenty for sale on Ebay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1311.R1.TR11.TRC1.A0.H0.X100+watt&_nkw=100+watt+light+bulbs&_sacat=0&_from=R40

[Daffy6543]

100 watt bulbs always explode (glass everywhere) in our house, I like really bright light in my kitchen but have had to resort to 10w LED bulb, which wasn't cheap.

[Mamyalynne]

Daisy, it's the shoddy plastic bulb holders that don't like the stronger bulbs, nothing to do with overheating as such.

I have partial sight and have to have the brightest possible - they should be available on prescription as far as I'm concerned.

[Prudie]

Chris I absolutely knew someone like you would come on and say that's rubbish. There's nothing I can retort except rubbish back. I have a mixture in my home and don't need to be told they are the same.

[Buenchico]

Prudie:
Measured scientifically (in lumens) the output from a '100W equivalent' bulb is just the same as from a 100W tungsten bulb. However I fully accept that, because the light is at a different frequency and thus registers differently through our optic nerves, it appears dimmer.

That's why I'm suggesting replacing 100W tungsten bulbs with '150W equivalent' bulbs, rather than '100W equivalent' ones. That way you overcome the apparent dimness but still save 70% on your lighting bills (and help the planet).