Re: Dimmable CFLs and UK government ban

["lexfordparc" <paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> > a) Form factor same as current halogens
Do you mean capsule, GU10 or MR16 halogen bulbs? You can find CFL and=20
LEDs for all these bar capsule
>
=20
> > b) 240V
If you look hard enough you can find LEDs that run at 12v, 24v and=20
230/240v

> > c) Dimmable
Lot harder to find in both CFL or LED form

> > d) Light output similar to current halogens
> Yup - for =A325 that 5W Cree has a light output of "Up to 250
Lumen=20
(Same as
> 40 watts standard bulb)" - does anyone use 40w bulbs nowadays?
One=20
year
In my house I use 7W and 11W CFL for rooms that have lights on for a=20
long period of time. For lights that are toggling quite often then I=20
have a few LEDs but mainly incandescent. For undercounter I am now=20
using LED strips. Almost all have a light output of around 40W.


> Also, does anyone else think that it looks bloody ugly? I wonder=20
how much
> energy and resource goes into making one of those compared to a more
> conventional bulb?

I don't spend much of my time looking up at the ceiling at light=20
bulbs, especially not when they are on. The form factor means they=20
fit into the same fittings as normal downlighter bulbs.

I am not sure of the embodied energy and reuse of materials in an LED=20
light, something I am trying to discover. However, with an average=20
life span of 30,000 to 100,000 hours and an energy use of around 10%=20
over the lifespan that is going to be a big factor in the comparison
>=20
> > e) Reasonable price

This is the stumbling block as it is cutting edge technology. Halogen=20
and incandescent is old technology and so many companies can make=20
them. I am "happy" as an earlier adopter to experiement and pay
the=20
mark-up. If the government were serious about Energy Efficiency then=20
why don't they zero-rate VAT on these types of products to at leats=20
help.

> I have to say that I don't like the light colour for the LEDs I've=20
seen
> either ...=20
Warm white is very difficult to reproduce and we are used to the=20
light of halogen and incandescent. Maybe it is a case of trying to=20
spend time with the newer white. But I do agree it is a problem.