I have been using these for a while and think every light except two at home is fitted with one.
I have been thinking of fitting one to my outside light, but have had mixed info as to whether you should or not.
The most recent ones I looked at in tesco's said not to be used with photo cells, which from the picture indicated to me solar panels and they
say they can't be used on a timer?
My outside light is a bog standard lantern style jobbie with a PIR movement sensor thingy and stays on for a couple of mins at a time. I know that
doesn't sound a lot but if I'm watching telly it does seem to trigger quite a lot and obviously will do all night when a person or car goes
down the road. Unless I turn it off I don't really have any control over it, being sensor driven so using 80% less electricity seems a good idea
to me.
so what's the score, can I or can't I? and if not, why not?
I have tried googling a bit but I just get loads of energy efficiency rubbish come up so presumably searching on the wrong keywords or terms or
summat.
cheers,
Ned.
[Edited on 3/7/07 by ned]
Ned for that type of light stick to your normal bulb. Low energy flourescent type lamps don't last long if they are switched on and off, plus
they don't get up to full brightness straight away.
I know that new led designs are coming out but brightness can be an issue.
Not worth messing about with in terms of energy saved, especially if you have to keep replacing the lamps.
By the way, I am an Electrician.
[Edited on 3/7/2007 by nitram38]
Personally for an outside light I use a low wattage light activated jobby. Comes on at dusk until whenever I switch it off. Means the door is always lit so I can find the lock.... Cheap to run too....
rather bizzarrely, when I fitted these things to my house, they were left on 24/7! They took such a long time to get to full light, it was better to
leave them on all the time. By the time the bathroom light got bright enough to see what you were trying to read, the paperwork was done.
And isn't it ironic that most of these energy saving devices are made in China where 80% of the power generated comes from coal fired
powerstations and they are building another 350 in the next 18 months...............
quote:
Originally posted by owelly
And isn't it ironic that most of these energy saving devices are made in China where 80% of the power generated comes from coal fired powerstations and they are building another 350 in the next 18 months...............
Especially when the claimed light output is often so ridiculous!!
I got a 11w (apparently the same as 60W) fluro for my living room. Popped it in, switched it on...
even after 30 minutes warm up it only gets to the equivalence of I reckon a 40W bulb.... I might try a 16w (75W) next...
General Electric make some 'mini eco' ones - the glass bit on the top is quite small when compared to the standard size.
They start quickly and give a decent amount of light - much better than the cheapo ones found in supermarkets etc.
Don't buy them in B&Q however - they are around £5 each there - much cheaper in Wilkinsons, if you've got one nearby.
[Edited on 3/7/07 by David Jenkins]
I've got low energy bulbs in 5 outside lights including one which switches on & off - been in for years, must have saved me a fortune, so why
aren't I rich?
quote:
Originally posted by russbost
I've got low energy bulbs in 5 outside lights including one which switches on & off - been in for years, must have saved me a fortune, so why aren't I rich?
In the few places we use them we tend to use them in luminairs that take more than one bulb - in the bathrooms we mix one tungsten with two low energy bulbs so you get some instant illumination