Darn these so-called long-life low energy bulbs!

[Iluvspikey]

When we had the house re-wired 14 months ago the electrician saw fit to replace all our 'old fashioned' bulbs with the new, low energy long-life ones. Philips 10 years or 10,000 hours it proclaims on the box. Are they heck! I've had to change the one in the hall and landing, my son's bedroom, and the lounge twice since they were put in, and just now my desk lamp. We've been in this house almost nine and a half years and never once did we change the bulbs in the bathroom, dining room, downstairs hall or our over the bed bulbs - and they must have been at least eight and a half years old and those were 'ordinary' bulbs.
Also do any of you abers find the low energy bulbs are not bright enough? We've had to have additional wall lights AND an uplighter in the lounge to get it as light a what two 100watt bulbs used to give us.

[flump1]

I agree Iluvspikey, the old bulbs gave off a sharp bright light that could be diffused , these new bulbs are hopeless.

[Smowball]

Agree, they aren't as bright.

[paddywak]

You can still get the old type of bulbs if you look around.I get mine from a local domestic supplies shop a pack of ten for£7.00p.They get round the rules by labeling them "Rough Service" bulbs.

[naomi24]

Dreadful aren't they. Try this.

http://www.thelightbu...tL7ubMCFSnJtAod0jwA3g

[daffy654]

You can still get the normal light bulbs on Ebay, they get around the law by selling them as 'Rough Service' bulbs which are for use in industrial environments, in reality they are exactly the same as the domestic incandescent bulbs we have used in the past.

[NOX]

Yeah for all I love the environment I find I get hideously depressed in dingey lighting and I've tried everything with low energy bulbs, so it's good old traditional ones all the way for me I'm afraid.

[Iluvspikey]

thank you naomi24! I have an assortment of bulbs winging their way to me shortly I hope, no more peering around in the ether! Might start my needlepoint again if I can find it..

[Iluvspikey]

Sorry, forgot to thankyou to paddywak and daffy654 for that info too.

[pastafreak]

I'm not all that bothered by them. I've had them in my flat ever since I moved in in 2005. I've had the same bulbs in my ceiling fixtures in the lounge since then. Others have lasted 4 years or so. I do wish they were brighter-especially this time of the year.

[Smowball]

We've actually got rid of a few of our energy bulbs simply because they were too big/high for the table lamps - they stuck right out of the top!

[dotty.]

I can't abide them for all the reasons everyone else suggests but also if they happen to smash, they seem to disintegrate into the tiniest shards and make a right mess,

[Brinjal]

They are only energy saver if they're left on for some time like in your lounge. In the bath room and toilet etc where the light is on and off quickly it uses the same amount of energy as the old type

[Euphemia]

Agreed - inefficient and unsightly.

[stewey]

They are absolutely brilliant (excuse the pun) if you choose and use them correctly. I realize this link is US/Canadian, but the information should apply to you also. Scroll down to "Color" and see the various types you can get. Also, keep in mind that they don't "like" to be constantly switched on and off again: this drastically shortens their life-span.

http://www.homedepot....Id=-1&catalogId=10053

[stewey]

Also, handle them by the ballast part and not the "filament" portion.