Random Ramblings

Random Ramblings: Personal observations on a wide variety of subjects. Photographs of creatures and things that are taken on seeing the unusual as well as everyday things.

Fizzled out

Last year we converted all of the standard light bulbs around the house to energy efficient ones. Energy efficient varieties do save money on electricity bills, they are also supposed to last for approximately seven years before needing replacement.

Either we are extremely unlucky or the latter part of the manufacturers' claims of long life are to say the very least a ‘big stretch of the imagination.’

So far … we have replaced an energy efficient bulb in the hall, two in the bathroom and one in the lounge!! Today, just after 11.00 pm … the bathroom one fizzled out once more and if you take a look at the picture of it you can see how it burnt out near the top on both sides of the fixing.

Come on manufacturers … time to put more work in, the first part of your claims are accurate – but where is the long life?

longlifebulb1

longlifebulb2

Energy saving light bulb – burnt out

24 comments:

Goddess said...

a big prob with these bulbs is that they were meant to be used where you have light on for long periods of time. they don't live very long when you use them in areas where the light is turned on and off frequently. yes, it will last seven years if you leave it turned on continuously. They don't bother to mention that it's not the constant burning of lightbulbs that wear them out - it's the turning on and off.

tahtimbo said...

We've been having the same problems with the ones in our daughter's bedroom. It lasts maybe a month or so (the lights are on all day, because of the birds), then they burn out. I did some research and found that if these lights are used in an enclosed fixture (such as our case), they will burn out much faster. If your lights are in an enclosed fixture, this could be your problem. You will need to find a bulb that is rated for an enclosed fixture (I found some of these through a website that sells greenhouse supplies).

Anonymous said...

My wife found some that look like the traditional bulbs at BJ's. They have lasted much longer than the bulbs we used to buy, but some did burn out fairly quickly. All in all though we have been pleased with them.

Anonymous said...

I've replaced many too and wondered the same thing. Goddesses idea seems to make sense however. I have only had to replace the ones that get turned on and off many times a day.

Anonymous said...

I wrote about the fluorescent bulb issue last summer: http://tinyurl.com/a3kvnp

You might be having a problem with dimmers.

na said...

You are pretty lucky to have them last a whole year...mine certainly didn't. That is the problem with these ridiculous claims...they should say that you must leave them on for that long...but then you wouldn't be saving money would you?

MamaFlo said...

Sorry you've had suck luck with those bulbs, I've had excellent results and I love, love, love them!!!

Anonymous said...

I actually lower my light bulb on my computer space so I can just manually twist it on and of to save more electricity.. I work during night,, so I just open it when I need to write something on a paper,, no need to walk or plug as switch,, hehehe

Anonymous said...

So far I've only had to replace the ones in my bathroom. I believe these thing's electronic circuitry aren't properly sealed against moisture.

Leon1234 said...

Hey, how is it going?

Anonymous said...

We've had several of these energy bulbs that have only lasted about 1 to 2 years, yes they do save on the electricity, but then you have to buy more bulbs which are more expensive that ordinary bulbs!

Anonymous said...

I have replaced mine about 6 months ago to these new bulbs. Even if they do not last seven years, for me it still saves money because I was having to buy the cheap bulbs once a month and replace all the time. The power bill has also went down by about $20 a month.

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean. I had those too and they didn't last 7 years for me either. At least not the ones we used every day.

My dad used to use them all over his house. I don't like that they need to be open without any light fixture covering them.

Anonymous said...

I've never seen one burn out...maybe it was shaken a bit in transport? Hmm..

None of the ones I've installed since 5 years ago have burnt out yet...still going strong.

TiLT said...

yeah - we've had a few go too...

Anonymous said...

ahhh its an old problem.we must carefull about that bulb.

Anonymous said...

hi there!

been really interested in this things for quite sometime now but have not actually bought one of them.

it iss good that they actually save energy but looking at all the comments, all of them condemn its longevity!

the question I would like to ask is how much do you save a month using these bulbs than a regular one?

uglykidjoey said...

yikes... usually ours last for a year

Anonymous said...

That's fantastic. I always recommend those on my Green Blog. I wish you every happiness for this coming year. I really enjoy your posts.

Mariuca said...

Hi Polly, I have a tag for you at Wishing on a Falling Star, have a great day! :)

Sandi said...

yeah mine burned out after only a few months. It just got super dim but didn't go out totally. Weird!

Sharkbytes (TM) said...

We've had good luck... last about 3 years.

Anonymous said...

Those light bulbs are not for me bad eyes and low light just don't get it I threw all of mine away my regular ones don't burn out that fast

Anonymous said...

I'm not keen of these at all as they contain mercury in gas form. You can't just throw them away when they break and you have to ventilate the room quickly to avoid breathing it in. The LED lights are better.