Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Off Topic Light bulbs

Gradually replacing light bulbs around the house.

Flourescents are lousy in almost every sense - poor light quality, delay coming on, and at least a minute to get to full output. I'm currently using these in "non-critical" rooms (e.g. shower room).

Halogens are okayish, but barely more efficient than incandescents. I've put some of these into our outdoors security lights.

LED is clearly promising with instant turn on and better quality of light than flourescents, but high lumens still unavailable and, critically, �10 per bulb is waaaaaay too much for what is currently 1st gen technology.

Thoughts?

Hi Joel,

I've started to use these (from Amazon) round the house:

- Sylvania Energy Saving Spiral Fast Start 12W (60W equivalent)
- Philips Tornado 23W (105W equivalent)

These are very good at powering up, but do nothing for the quality of light also I've had to remove some dimmers switch to do this.

I've also looked at LEDs; generally not bright enough and too expensive for common use. Though I do have some small 50W 240v halogen down-lights, in the hall, that I'm going to replace with LED.

Regards,
Carl

Justmy2p, but my experience is that there is a big difference between subsidised bulbs sold by supermarkets/supplied free by energy suppliers and those bought from specialist lighting retailers which are typically at least one generation more advanced.

I replaced 50w halogen GU10's in my bathroom with '50 Watt' light output LED's from a specialist supplier at �11.00 each.
They use 4.5 watts of electric, give a fantastic light and run cold with instant start up. They should last many years and SWMBO can leave them on as long as she likes.

My experience, Chris

Whilst on this topic of GU10's, not that I have any recessed 12v halogen lights anymore, the problem of lack of economically priced and robust 12v LED direct replacements seems to have been averted by the availability of 240v GU10 replacement plugs which allow a relatively easy way to swap between 12v and 240v. I have seen these on Amazon.

[NotAllowedPleaseUseUrlTagAndFullUrl][NotAllowedPleaseUseUrlTagAndFullUrl]bfyr2un

There's a major LED supplier local to us Joel LED Giant

I've found the GU10 replacements and the standard bayonet replacements good, if a little expensive upfront. Not so bad when you factor the lifespan and running costs though.

Just to show how OCD I am, there's hardly any heat coming from LEDs so if your recessed lighting is going to the attic space (duh), it will reduce condensation up there.

I've just bought some of these for my daughter's room.

Not cheap but worth every penny for the smile factor.

Not cheap but Photon Star are pretty much the best LED lighting fixtures available. UK based too.

Yes, I can see PhotonStar's premises from my office.

Well, if someone there asks you to take a look at one of their Nemesis downlighters, wear sunglasses. Who said LED doesn't do 'bright'?