Eco Light bulb equivalence?

[smallblueplanet]

Okay now I'm getting confused over these new-fangled 'eco-bulbs' and what wattage can be used where.

I want to use a 20w eco-bulb in a desk lamp that is 'rated' for bulbs of a maximum of 60w. Now the 20w eco is equivalent to 100w old style so can I use it?

What does the 60w (old style) maximum apply to? Is it the amount of heat a 60w bulb gives off or is it to do with something else?

[Stacey Steve]

My understanding is that the wattage limit was for two reasons.

First the type of wiring used in the appliance etc. If you exceeded the wattage then you could be in danger of a fire due to the wiring could get hot.

Secondly as you mention the heat put out by the light bulb could set the shade alight.

As the eco light bulb is under the wattage for the wiring and the heat generated is so much less, then I would assume that you would be OK.

I am getting quite used to ours now. The first one we got, the family weren't to keen on as it took time to warm up before it gave it's full light but the new ones are OK.

The one's all the energy companies keep sending me are so ugly that I use them in the shed.

[Paul Wagland]

I think the wattage of a bulb is how much power it uses, not how much light it gives off. The two are related, but the later is limited by the efficiency of the design.

I would think a 20W eco-bulb would be fine - presumably they are much cooler, hence the energy saving? Just in case, keep an eye on the light fitting to make sure it doesn't start to discolour or warp.

[di]

Not sure if it's of any help,but I bought a couple of bedside lamps last night & they came with just a 9watt eco bulb...Andi said "Good Luck...do you want to take a torch up as well?"....was really shocked how bright they were...do you deffo need a 20 watt?

[pipscariad]

Well, I have happily exceeded the recommended wattage equivalent with energy saving bulbs for some time now, and I've had no problems yet . As Paul* said, the heat/power output is much lower, so you should be okay. I spent about half an hour in The Devils Shop yesterday choosing the bulbs I needed - some crazy offer of 5 for 40p (or £2.45 each! Uh?), so as I only actually needed 2, it was a bit mad, but crazy not too. As they all claim to last for 15 years, they'll be around after I've gone!

Good luck.

*oops, apologies to Stacey Steve, t'was you that said that - see, once the messages have disappeared from view, my brain addles!

[smallblueplanet]

...do you deffo need a 20 watt?

I'm not sure, but I'd like to figure this out. I want to use them as additional lighting for our chilli/aubergine seedlings.

I agree with whats been said - which suggests you're getting the same amount of light for less energy (and therefore less heat?). There's lots of shades and lamps around the house that this might apply to and I wanted to be sure.

[RedThorn]

Watts = Power. The cables are designed to deliver a certain power rating(amps x voltagex power factor and cable is rated in amps[ for those that want to be technical]). If you exceed this power rating, you run the risk of a fire. The sticker by the lamp is for a twofold reason as stated above. Old style lamps were exceptionally in-efficient and the excess energy was given off in the form of heat. The 20 watt unit should be fine, but may be to bright. I am not sure if the colour spectrum given off by the energy efficient units is what the plants need. Perfect chance for an experiment though. The other idea I've seen bouncing around here is Blue and Red LED fairy lights. The other option is to go to fish shop, I know that some aquariums use special flouresent lamps for the tank plants and are cheaper to run than the incandesent lamps.

[pigletwillie]

The old ratings were set because incandescent lamps get very hot and too big a lamp just melted everything. With the eco crap bulbs, you can use up to the size stated, ie 60w in a 60w, even though its notmal lamp equivalent would be about 300w.

In most of my home we have low voltage or led lamps, the one fitting that carries 5 9w eco crap lamps is pants, its only just getting bright when you turn it back off, the light is poor and as the lamps, which needed to be golf ball in size cost £6 a pop.

LED's for me from now on.

[smallblueplanet]

...I am not sure if the colour spectrum given off by the energy efficient units is what the plants need. Perfect chance for an experiment though.

I've bought a couple of cheap(ish) 'daylight' eco-bulbs, hopefully they will have the right wavelength for the seedlings early on ie in the vegetative stages.

...The other idea I've seen bouncing around here is Blue and Red LED fairy lights...

As PW says I think LEDs are they way to go, its just LED bulbs are still quite expensive in comparison, but I think I'll look to try them after the daylight eco-bulbs fail. (Not sure I believe the 8000 hours life! )

[zazen999]

I've been using low energy bulbs for at least 7 years if not longer and I've never had to replace one yet. I started renewing ALL bulbs with low energy 5 years ago, and when we moved here 20 months ago, all these have been replaced with low energy bulbs as they ran out. I don't find a problem with low levels of light at all, but we do use the higher equivalencies in the main rooms. the kitchen is the only place I have issues, and that's because the lighting is 3 spot lamps in the middle of the room.

My OH is always looking into these things, so I might give him a project to look into the LED ones.

[Flummery]

We had 2 LEDs in the living room - pale and interesting. Had to get rid of them. The hall has the new eco bulbs - a fitting for 3 with 11w bulbs in. Lights up immediately and very bright. I think the new ones are fine. The first ones we had were like anaemic glow-worms.

[allotmentlady]

Tescos are selling eco bulbs very cheaply. I have installed them all over the house except the lounge as its pretty big and when they are on, it is very dull.

[gemlady]

We've been using the energy saving light bulbs for a good number of years now, we started with the big round bulbs when they first came out! I have to agree they are not as bright as normal bulbs but I suppose we have got used to them now.

[Comfreyfan]

We've had eco bulbs in some rooms for some years, they're rubbish. I understand the newer ones are a lot better, and the next generation ones will be better still. But one of the eco points was that they last a lot longer so it would really defeat the object to replace them before they're finished. Not sure how long we'll have to put up with the half-hearted lighting though.

[Two_Sheds]

Mr S complains about my eco-bulbs, saying they are too dim. So without telling him I swapped his normal candle bulbs for eco-candle bulbs ... and he still hasn't noticed

We don't need bright lights anywhere except the kitchen ... we have inherited 3 strips of halogen ceiling lights, and they are useless. Really, really hot (they burn his head) and they are behind you when you use any appliances, so you're always working in the shade, so to speak.
I use a clip-on blue "natural daylight" bulb for task work like sewing, where it's important to see colours correctly.

I have got stacks of eco bulbs in the cupboard - how come they have suddenly swamped the market? Four for a quid in Homebase at the moment!