energy saving bulbs

[tony]

I've found that the General Electric brand of bulbs are about half the price of Phillips ones. Is there any significant difference in quality?

thanks tony

[davej]

I don't know about quality but when Netto sells Phillips 18w -100 watt equivalent- for 49 p.and Asda sell phillips 18w for 47p.(Asda don't keep many out ,but netto have boxes) why worry?

[the_constructor]

Talking of energy saving light bulbs. Are they really as good as a 100w standard light bulb. I ask because we have them all over the house and they always seem to be darker or is it just a softer light.

[Malcolm Stewart]

They are definitely less bright. I did some checks years ago in a near integrating sphere, and it's not your imagination.

[Andrew Gabriel]

They are compared against softtone filament lamps, not regular GLS ones. This really should be stamped out as it creates a bad first impression, which in many cases puts people off them completely. Meanwhile, I usually suggest people ignore the quoted equivalent filament lamp, and just use a 4:1 ratio.

[Gel]

One problem I've found is that Homebase & Osram CFL lamps BC caps, amongst others will not fit in newer light fittings as the shield (part that screws down to clamp lightshade) is taller than on older fittings.

I guess this happened due to some electrical safety reg change.

messagenews:45409986$0$8735$ [e-mail]...

[malc]

That's a bit stupid isn't it. Either the bulb manufacturers have cocked up or the light fitting designers.

[Mike]

Energy savings bulbs are longer that nordinary ones.

Mike

[davej]

My house is all energy saver bulbs and is not bright -4 to 1 ratio sounds better. I've seen energy efficient bolbs up to 425 watt equivalent.