Step this way to get your daily fix of green news, eco product launches and videos delivered by email.
What we've long known to be true is now official -- not all energy-saving bulbs are equal. In a test of 16 different eco lights, Which? gave first place to General Electric's Elegance T3, followed closely by IKEA and Osram.
General Electric's bulb was one of the more pricey at £3 a pop, but showed longevity well above its stated six-year life and didn't dim at all in the process. Wilkinsons is recommended as the cheapest place to get 'em. Second up, in news that will please shoppers at its blue-and-yellow boxes, was IKEA. Its Sparsam bulbs cost a more reasonable £2 and, although they dim over time, they do out-live their six-year life and produce a nice light that's the same as old skool incandescents. The bulb also scored top in the tables for start-up speed.
Chugging in at third is Osram's £2 Duluxstar, which doesn't dim much and can hack being switched on and off repeatedly -- you can buy them cheapest at Sainsbury's. Elsewhere, B&Q ranked as a miserable second-worst in the table. And if your home's an igloo, you're best off with the IKEA bulb or General Electric's Elegance GLS/CDL. They were the only two unaffected by low temperatures.
As SmartPlaneteers will know, eco bulbs might cost more up-front but they'll save you cash in the long run.Which? reckons £30 over five years, assuming you're chucking out an old 100W incandescent bulb.
31 October 2007 09:37am
I appreciate that the longevity, price and start up speed are all important, but my major bugbear is the luminosity. The eco-bulb I have are all dimmer than their comparable incandescent bulb cousins, even though the packaging labels them as 100w,60w,etc. equivalent. What is the maximum strength eco bulb you can get and how does this compare?
Please note: Your email address must be entered but will not be displayed
Please note: All submitted content becomes the sole property of CNET Networks UK and may be used, edited or rejected at CNET Networks UK's sole discretion. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks UK, are responsible for the contents of your submission.
Step this way to get your daily fix of green news, eco product launches and videos delivered by email.
