MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Not bike lighting, hence why it's in this forum, not the other.
Just moved into a new (rented) house and found out what the previous tenants have been paying in bills - something they seem to have played down somewhat. And by somewhat, I mean a shedload.
Turns out, the landlord re-did the house some time back and installed lots of halogen lighting, but not of the low-voltage variety. So the house is rigged to be very bright and pleasant, running a ridiculous wattage in the process. Add to that the fact most of it's on dimmers and you've ruled out cheap, simple low-energy bulbs and chalked one up to Drax, whose output we are maintaining.
So, I guess the question is: Can anyone advise on places to buy reasonably priced, dimmable, easy-to-fit alternatives to the mass of 50w GU10 lumps we're forming out for at the moment? Or think of any other neat and not too expensive ways of getting the bills down?
Cheers!
Pyro
for direct replacement GU10 (240v) dimmable LEDs or CFLs you're going to be dropping between £15 and £30 a bulb.
Cheaper alternative is to use lower wattage (undimmable) LED GU10s and change the dimmer switches for normal switches.
Not sure changing the switches is an option, unfortunately, since it ain't my house, strictly. And yeah, I'd found the prices. Youch...
[url= http://www.ledhut.co.uk/spot-lights/gu10-led-bulbs/gu10-smd-led-220-lumens-45-watts-equiv-best-internet-price.html ]led lamps[/url]
Buy and use table and floor standing lamps and fit low energy bulbs in them, leave the main (expensive) lighting off.
Bite the bullet and fit LED lighting. Direct replacement for GU10 (be careful with the cheaper ones; don't get anything that looks like an array of LEDs and bear in mind that the Chinese made stuff doesn't comply with UK radio emissions law) and bright enough as a 35W halogen.
Get cool white: if you're doing all of them you won't tell the difference and you get more light output per watt.
Try www.bltdirect.com
Oh yes: 12-15 months and you're quids in, and the lamps will last indefinitely.
As has been mentioned, the most cost effective solution is to fit LED / CFLs.
Changing the dimmers will be a requirement for this. I would suggest getting a quote from an electrician(s) to simply change the switches.
Speak to LL and negotiate between LL 100% and you 100% payment for the work. Whatever happens, you will save massively on lighting bills.
You could suggest keeping the dimmer switches and replacing at the end of your tennancy if required.
I'd be more than happy to let you have a price if you are around the Sheffield area.
Cheap but charming lamps from a charity shop fitted with cheap CFLs from Ikea. Or wander around in the dark with Night Vision goggles muttering "It rubs the lotion on its skin"
Not much of a pyro, are you? If you need help lighting stuff. Tch.
In that sense, molgrips, I don't need much help lighting stuff. But I reckon the landlord might not want me to burn the place down when I've only been in a fortnight 😉
Cheers for the suggestions. Like I said, changing the switches isn't really an option ay the moment, but I'll have a word with the LL about it. The previous tenants seem to have just accepted the £150-a-month 'leccy bill, rather than try and work it out and reduce it. First port of call is LED replacements for the NINE 50w bulbs in the kitchen...