[mrbumps]

Hi,

In an attempt to do my bit for the environment and for my electricity bill I am going to replace all the lights in the house with energy saving ones.

Most have been straight forward and the results are OK, never brilliant but OK and I can live with this.

3 rooms remain.
Bathroom - 4 x GU10, non dimmable
Main bedroom - 3 x GU10 on a dimmer and 2 x GU10 on another dimmer
Lounge 5 x small bayonet candle bulbs on a dimmer

I am finding it hard to find bulbs that will replace these well, The GU10 Megamans that look like they will do the job don't seem to be a direct replacement as they are slightly longer, as I need them as downlighters I think this will be a major issue. The LEDs look good but not dimmable.

Has anyone done these configurations or found solutions? I really do want to replace these and not just give up and leave them as standard ones.

Steve

[Chrisoldinho]

I found all energy savers to be as good/better after a couple of mins compared with conventional bulbs.

Regarding the Dimmers, sorry I can't help you but I was wanting to know how cheaply they can be had because I need one for my spare bedroom and then my entire house will be on energy savers.

[Wild Weasel]

I find energy saving bulbs are dim already. For the first few minutes anyway.

Don't even try one on a dimmerswitch - you'll wreck the switch. My dad had to try this for himself before he believed the warnings.

[mrbumps]

Obviously it needs to be a dimmable unit or no it will not work. I have seen that megaman do a good range, anyone tried them?

[robh2002]

Originally Posted by mrbumps

Obviously it needs to be a dimmable unit or no it will not work. I have seen that megaman do a good range, anyone tried them?

I picked up a leaflet from B&Q over the weekend advertising two types of dimmable CFL - one works with a normal on off light switch (and, I presume, requires certain on-off sequences to dim) and the other stated it would work with all types of dimmer switch. Might be worth a try and if any one does, can they post their findings here?

[mrbumps]

Any idea of the names or the brands? I had a quick look on the web site but I can't see them. If they look the part I am willing to give them a go from B&Q, if they are no good I can always take them back, and just buy one to see what it is like. Not so easy with an online retailer.

[nvingo]

Yes the (first type) B&Q ones are a dual-level (normal and nightlight) operated by on-off sequence. Not a variable brightness as one would require with a dimmer.

[robh2002]

Originally Posted by mrbumps

Any idea of the names or the brands? I had a quick look on the web site but I can't see them. If they look the part I am willing to give them a go from B&Q, if they are no good I can always take them back, and just buy one to see what it is like. Not so easy with an online retailer.

I also can't find them on the web site - and what an awful web site it is!

The leaflet picture of the bulb shows the make to be Govena - and the model is called Dimm, and this is the one which says it is fully dimmable from any dimmer switch. I could have sworn I saw the switch dimmable ones as well, but apparently not - I think work is getting to me such that I can't read plain English!

Try these links to see the bulbs:

http://www.govena.com/KKen/CFL_DIMM.pdf

I've not seen or used these, but they might be worth a try. I would also like to repeat that I think the GE ones B&Q sell are awful - the Philips branded ones are better in every way.

Hope this helps.

[mrbumps]

This looks the part, question is do they do these in the format I need. I guess the only one with a chance is the candle for the lounge but looking at the site I maybe hoping a bit too much.

I will try and get over the B&Q at the weekend and see what they have. I think I will try some of the LED GU10's for the bathroom, these don't need dimming so should work. I think the only way I am going to know if I can live with the light is to try it.

Thanks for the comments

[robh2002]

Originally Posted by mrbumps

This looks the part, question is do they do these in the format I need. I guess the only one with a chance is the candle for the lounge but looking at the site I maybe hoping a bit too much.

I will try and get over the B&Q at the weekend and see what they have. I think I will try some of the LED GU10's for the bathroom, these don't need dimming so should work. I think the only way I am going to know if I can live with the light is to try it.

Thanks for the comments

No problems - I found the bulbs I was thinking of (both the switch and dimmer) dimmable bulbs - they were in the latest Screwfix catalogue, in case you wanted to take a look at those.

[mrbumps]

Just taken a look there. I guess this is what you are pointing too.
Low Energy CFL Dimmable BC 20W - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

Looks like the right think for the lounge if only it was in candle form. I think my 5 arm brass ornate chandelier might look a bit naff with those stuck in it

[cheekymonkeyme]

I didn't know until now that you could get energy saving bulbs that dimmer

Originally Posted by robhowell

No problems - I found the bulbs I was thinking of (both the switch and dimmer) dimmable bulbs - they were in the latest Screwfix catalogue, in case you wanted to take a look at those.

i would really love to know if these work well. Specifically can they start with a very low level of light, or do they have to be turned first to full brightness and then dimmed subsequently. If anyone knows, I'd be glad to hear from them.

[mrbumps]

Hi,

Yes I was meaning to reply with comments.

Megaman Dimmable GU10. Good light, take a minute to get to full brightness but on the whole very nice and a suitable replacement for the Halogens. These were fitted in the bedroom.

Megaman dimmable SBC candle bulbs. These cannot be started on a low voltage, this causes flickering and if very low they won't even turn on. Start them hight then turn them down. Again these give a good light but also produce a slight buzz that can be irritating. I found changing the dimmer improved this but didn't remove it. I do have 5 installed together though so this might not be a problem for everyone. These were installed in a lounge.

HTH
Steve

[robh2002]

Thanks for the info - I might well give them a try.

[SeanT]

The Varilight ones are great provided your dimmer switch is rated for a low enough load, or you have several lights in the room - ended up using one in the bedroom - it's genuinely brighter (and whiter) than a 100W incandescant on full and doesn't make any noise - all the other rooms only have one light in currently so I'd have to change all the dimmer switches, or add more lights, which kind of defeats the object...

[Gliese 581c]

Some dimmable bulbs here

Dimmable Energy Savers - Energy Savers — (UK) Light bulbs, halogen lamps, spot lights and tubes by mail order in the UK

Originally Posted by mrbumps

Hi,

In an attempt to do my bit for the environment and for my electricity bill I am going to replace all the lights in the house with energy saving ones.

Most have been straight forward and the results are OK, never brilliant but OK and I can live with this.

3 rooms remain.
Bathroom - 4 x GU10, non dimmable
Main bedroom - 3 x GU10 on a dimmer and 2 x GU10 on another dimmer
Lounge 5 x small bayonet candle bulbs on a dimmer

I am finding it hard to find bulbs that will replace these well, The GU10 Megamans that look like they will do the job don't seem to be a direct replacement as they are slightly longer, as I need them as downlighters I think this will be a major issue. The LEDs look good but not dimmable.

Has anyone done these configurations or found solutions? I really do want to replace these and not just give up and leave them as standard ones.

Steve

All I'm saying is look a little further into it before jumping on the cheap LED Light bulbs.

[mrbumps]

It was a huge waste of time and money. I spent almost £100 in light bulbs only to pull half of them back out again.

LED, waste of time unless you keep some incandescent, Megaman dimmable removed, they did not work as they are described. Poor light, dimmed poorly and did not dim enough, plus once warm they got brighter and the dimming got less.

All in all a very disappointing exercises. So much for trying to do my bit.

[BISHI]

I'm sorry but at these prices it is pointless paying for low energy dimmable/led bulbs. To replace all of them in my home would probably cost several hundred quid and take 70 yrs to get my investment back. Why would I bother ???

[strtok]

I'm with BISHI on this one, think I'll just get rid of the dimmer switch & use a sidelight when I want lower light levels - 5 bulbs on my lounge light fitting would be £60

[Chris Muriel]

Or fit halogen bulbs on the dimmable ones.
I found several differebt wattages of the Osram halogens on offer at something like 29 pence in my local Sainsburys this week.
You then gain about 30% efficiency versus normal incandescent bulbs.

Chris Muriel, Manchester