I wish the low-energy bulbs would hurry up and mature... We have dimmers in most of our rooms, which means that 95% of low-energy bulbs just won't work. I have tried a 18w dimmable (£15 inc postage), but it takes about a minute to warm up to full brightness and although touted as 100w equivalent we found we were straining to see so we've had to swap back to a normal 100w bulb for now.
We also have a number of GU10 50w spots in our kitchen. The only GU10 low energy bulbs are either larger than normal (and so won't fit the light fittings) or not bright enough (only about 35w equivalent), so still on normal bulbs for there too!
I just wish we could swap to low-energy bulbs without replacing all of the light fittings just to take more bulbs to provide the same light. [rant over :-)]
I am a fan of the 30w full daylight spectrum bulbs. Nowhere near as cheap but they kick out a fair bit of light and are great for waking up in the morning.
One of those as a bedside light is great for stopping you snoozing for too long.
I'd not seen any low energy ones higher than 20w, so could be interested in getting one of those to try out. I presume it's not dimable (at least the ones linked above aren't), but if that is suitably bright enough then it could be worth considering. How quick are they at starting?
That looks like them, although you may want to shop around as they can be found cheeper. They can be dimmed very slightly, but not to the degree of an incandesant.
They are probably on a par with most other CF bulbs when it comes to starting.
The thing to note is that, as you would expect with a daylight spectrum bulb, the colour temperature is higher than other bulbs. It does give you a fairly harsh white light a bit like a supermarket.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2009-01-13 10:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-13 06:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-13 07:05 pm (UTC)We also have a number of GU10 50w spots in our kitchen. The only GU10 low energy bulbs are either larger than normal (and so won't fit the light fittings) or not bright enough (only about 35w equivalent), so still on normal bulbs for there too!
I just wish we could swap to low-energy bulbs without replacing all of the light fittings just to take more bulbs to provide the same light.
[rant over :-)]
no subject
Date: 2009-01-13 07:52 pm (UTC)One of those as a bedside light is great for stopping you snoozing for too long.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-13 09:38 pm (UTC)http://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/category/171/daylight-helix-energy-saver/
I'd not seen any low energy ones higher than 20w, so could be interested in getting one of those to try out. I presume it's not dimable (at least the ones linked above aren't), but if that is suitably bright enough then it could be worth considering. How quick are they at starting?
no subject
Date: 2009-01-13 10:52 pm (UTC)I might have to get a few of those. my biggest grumble with energy savers is they're a bit dim.
Although, I consider the 'slow warmup' a feature - I like not having to go 'aah my eyes' when I turn 'em on :0.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-14 04:20 pm (UTC)They are probably on a par with most other CF bulbs when it comes to starting.
The thing to note is that, as you would expect with a daylight spectrum bulb, the colour temperature is higher than other bulbs. It does give you a fairly harsh white light a bit like a supermarket.