Light bulb longevity

[Dave2002]

That sounds like a good idea and I will try it in future, thank you.

Sydney

LEDs are expensive, though despite that I recommend them as GU10 replacements for halogens, which as I've already mentioned, tend to get hot, and ultimately weld into the fitting, fixing which is a lot more costly than replacing the bulbs.

If you get LEDs make sure that you like the light. We have found that Philips Warm White are acceptable - 2700K. Some cheaper ones or even other Philips lights have a different white - typically colour temperature 3000K or even worse - and they tend to look too harsh. You may need to experiment with one or two before installing a whole lot. Also check that the light output is sufficient - LEDs may look slightly dimmer than conventional bulbs. A slight reduction in perceived light output can be acceptable, but there's no point in paying for very dim lighting.

At one point I only intended to put in a few of the LEDs as GU10 replacements, to save capital costs, but the heat thing convinced me to change all the bulbs in the conservatory application.

Regarding the heat, we have some GU10s on our landing in downlighters. They are firmly welded in. I have tried smashing them to get them out - they are totally resistant. The twisty tools for removing them don't work. Just maybe super glue could get them out, but I'm not holding my breath. The lights still work, though, so we have really little alternative but to leave them in until the bulbs eventually fail, and then change the fittings.

One other thing, if you use LEDs and a dimmer switch you may have to change the dimmer. I was able to get an existing dimmer to work with a mix of halogens and LEDs, but I recall having to switch over dimmers from another circuit, and having to buy a new dimmer. Dimmers for LEDs effectively operate at different wattages - since less power is consumed - but also there are different types of circuits. You may need to study leading edge dimmers and trailing edge dimmers, though some dimmers are clever enough to work with different types of devices - some are more universal than others.

[Serial_Apologist]

I really hope S_A joins in this thread soon.

Sorry TS - the only bulbs I'm looking forward to are spring blubs (sic).

[EnemyoftheStoat]

"Mr Bond seems to be in the dark about my plans. Illuminate him."

[ardcarp]

Q. How many Oxford dons does it take to change a light bulb?

A. Change ??**!!??

[teamsaint]

how many many soviet workers did it take TCALB?

1001.
1 to change it, and 1000 to sing the heroic song of the glorious revolutionary light bulb changer.

[Old Grumpy]

How many folk singers...

Two.

One to change the light bulb and one to mourn the death of the old light bulb.

[Bryn]

Reviving this old thread, Tesco are currently offering pretty good deals on some basic LED light bulbs, e.g.Osram 10w (bayonet fitting), equivalent to c. 60w incandescent, for £6.50 each. I got one last night to try out. Must say I am quite impressed. I will get more tomorrow. A screw type version of the same bulb (same price), plus 35w equivalent Osram LED 35W GU10s for a fiver each, are also available.