Advice needed - Dimmable Energy Bulbs

jonwade · Aug 14, 2013

Getting an extension built with vaulted ceiling. It will have 1 light in the centre. I asked the builder to put in a dimmer switch and a 100W bulb, but he said that 100W bulbs are hard to get now and they are slowly being outlawed by the EU.

A quick Google shows that there are some dimmable energy savers out there now, but I have not found any reliable reviews.

Has anybody here used any particular brand that they can recommend please? The room is about 4m by 5m with a vaulted ceiling. I was thinking of putting a large paper lantern with 100W and a dimmer (I really like to be able to dim the lights to watch films etc.)

So, it needs to be bright, but not burn the paper lantern, and not flicker like crazy when dimmed, and not blow up after a month.

Thanks.

telectrix · Aug 14, 2013

dimmable LED is the way forward.

jonwade · Aug 14, 2013

Thanks - never heard of them.

Daft question - would 3 60W equivalent bulbs be like having 1 180W bulb? I know there are not 180W bulbs - but would 3 together at least be as bright as a 100W bulb?

Found this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/AURAGLOW-Sc...UTF8&qid=1376476722&sr=1-3&keywords=screw+cap

and http://www.amazon.co.uk/Markslojd-A...OLE&s=lighting&ie=UTF8&qid=1376476634&sr=1-24

I think the lampshade takes a different sized screw cap - but now thinking that something like this combo is what I need.

telectrix · Aug 14, 2013

that fitting takes E14 screw lamps. you can get that size in LED. make sure they're dimmable with a lumen output of around 300lm or more each, and get the dimmer switch with the LED lamps. that way you'll be sure that they are compatible.

jonwade · Aug 14, 2013

ooooooh.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-mini...8&qid=1376477486&sr=1-47&keywords=E27+ceiling

requires approval from the boss though, but I think she will like it!

jonwade · Aug 14, 2013

"get the dimmer switch with the LED lamps" - do you mean buy from the same shop and ask? Do the actual switches make a difference? If so I better tell my builder to slow down.

Any recommendations for good shops in the Chelmsford area? Or does B&Q, Homesbase etc have all this stuff?

telectrix · Aug 14, 2013

i'd go for something more like :

[ElectriciansForums.net] Advice needed - Dimmable Energy Bulbs

with LED candle lamps ( bulbs ).

£80 homebase.

jonwade · Aug 14, 2013

Is that so the bulb is not shaded? Makes sense. In fact, my wife did say that she wanted a "chandelier", so something a little fancier might work well.

Do LED bulbs come to fit any socket - so no need to search for lamp with specific sockets, just find one we like?

Something like this might be more our cup of tea: Derwent 5 Light - Satin Chrome Effect from Homebase.co.uk

needs 5 x SES bulbs

Marvo · Aug 14, 2013

I think SES (Small Edison Screw) is the same as E14. You should find dimmable LED lamps easily available for this fitting. You'll need to find a dimmer that's compatible with the LED lamps. Because LED's are such a low current, not all dimmers can work with them.

jonwade · Aug 16, 2013

OK, now I am confused!

Searching for "E14 SES Led Dimmable" on Amazon. And I find this:

10x Dimmable Energy Saving Halogen Candle 42w (Equivalent to 60w) SES (E14)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dimmable-En...6682868&sr=1-23&keywords=E14+SES+Led+Dimmable

Says there are 10 of them, so about £1.10 a bulb, rather than £8 a bulb for LED dimmables.

But, is this too good to be true? I thought Halogen bulbs flickered with dimmer switches?

jonwade · Aug 16, 2013

but then these last 25,000 hours and are LED, maybe worth the extra money!
Megaman 5w LED SES E14 Frosted Dimmable Candle Light Bulb - 2800K Warm White: Amazon.co.uk: Lighting

telectrix · Aug 16, 2013

megaman have a good rep. it's not just the lifespan, it's running costs. 5watts/lamp as opposed to 42watts. thats roughly 1/8 of electrical energy used. equates to between £5 and £10 saving per year each bulb

jonwade · Aug 16, 2013

Oooh, that could be £50 a year, or £250 over 5 years. Yep, worth the extra! Besides, just read on Avforums that sometimes dimmable halogen bulbs buzz and cause interference.

LED Lighting · Aug 16, 2013

We are selling 21w bulbs fully dimmable for £15 at the moment, but personally I would wait a month or 2 as we (and the Chinese) have just brought out a new (120LM/W) bulb out, what this means is our new 15w bulb is the same as the old 180w bulbs, they run ice cold and use 98% less electricity than the 180w bulb.
we also have 6w LED bulbs providing the same about of light as a 100w bulb with only 6% of the running cost of a 100w bulb. Dont worry about the cost, your savings will pay for the bulb within 6 months

brizospark · Aug 16, 2013

Don't go for really cheap LED bulbs. Go for decent ones

Advice needed - Dimmable Energy Bulbs

jonwade

telectrix

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jonwade

telectrix

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jonwade

jonwade

telectrix

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jonwade

Marvo

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jonwade

jonwade

telectrix

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jonwade

LED Lighting

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brizospark

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