75W light bulbs switched off

N.Lawrence

Sep 2nd 2010, 20:37

CFL lamps are a joke. The more reknown the brand, the shorter the life span, LED lamps aren't too hot either; one LED in the chain blows and the whole lamp is junk.(Unless you can repair them, which I do). So what if the EU stops making incandescent lamps, you'll still be able to get 'em from China!

Vasilisa Brandenburg

Sep 2nd 2010, 16:59

These bulbs do last longer in an enviroment with stable and constant power voltage. In Malta we do not have this fortune as electric current voltage varies from 200 (sometimes even lower) up to 240 (sometimes even higher) in very short but frequent periods.

M.Muscat

Sep 2nd 2010, 13:44

I feel so lucky! Am I the only one whoI uses only energy saving lamps and never had to change one of them? And I don't bother with a particular brand - I simply buy off the shelf.

I always used energy saving lamps and will continue to use them as they never failed me!

David Spiteri

Sep 2nd 2010, 12:35

The lifetime of lighting devices is not fixed, but depends on several factors. In particular, it depends on how long they are left ON each time they are used. Lots of switching ON and OFF can significantly shorten the life of these units.

The technical specification would probably be something like: 90% of these lamps will last between 7000 and 13000 hours, if they are used for 8 hours each time they are switched ON.

Julian Borg

Sep 2nd 2010, 11:52

The claim that CFLs last longer than ordinary lamps is supported by scientific evidence collected under a variety of conditions. One thing to bear in mind is that the lifetime of a CFL is reduced considerably if it is switched on/off frequently and for short periods of time. It is suggested that a CFL lamp be left on if one plans to return to the room shortly.

In principle, I'm against banning anything; if one wishes to continue using energy-hungry incandescents it's her own business. Yet, energy consumption is no longer a personal matter, as it has bearings on the whole of society (humanity, actually). I think a better approach to this issue would be to tax incandescent lamps and use the proceeds to fund or subsidise alternative energy solutions/research.

Another thing to consider is that, as their uptake increases, the price of CFLs should go down.

David Ellul

Sep 2nd 2010, 11:11

While LED bulbs are probably a great move forward, fluorescent bulbs certainly are not. They contain mercury, obviously are hazardous to our health, and on an Island this small I shudder to think of the contamination. I'm sure most people don't recycle them but simply throw them away. As for incandescent bulbs converting 90 percent of the energy used into heat, exactly how is that a bad thing in a colder climate (which would include much of the EU)? That heat given off and "wasted" simply translates into less energy being used to heat room from another source.

Ramon Casha

Sep 2nd 2010, 10:54

From my personal experience, CFL bulbs last FAR less than ordinary incandescent bulbs - and I'm talking about top brands, not some cheap unknown brand. I switched to CFLs before there was any government subsidy or any moves towards banning incandescent bulbs, but I was very disappointed by their lifespan. I concluded that claims about an extended lifespan are nothing more than marketing lies, and was surprised to see them being repeated by official sources.

Incidentally, what about situations like ovens, in which CFLs with their plastic bits can't be used, or bathroom mirrors which are too cramped for the bulky plastic holder?

S. Fenech

Sep 2nd 2010, 10:09

"Energy-saving, modern light bulb cost more to buy when compared to the traditional ones but last six to 10 times longer."

Can someone please explain how some of the set of bulbs we received (who managed to get them) from the government have already failed and needed replacement?

Please do not try to reply with "these were free of charge", because they weren't. I for one paid for them through my taxes, which in Malta are becoming some of the highest across Europe.

David Buttigieg

Sep 2nd 2010, 09:32

"Energy-saving, modern light bulb cost more to buy when compared to the traditional ones but last six to 10 times longer."

Then I must be really unlucky, min never seem to last more than a year at best!