Size and Shape is Everything!

If you thought that low-energy light bulbs only came in chunky globe shapes or strange spirals, think again!

Take a look at the Decorative Range, from Megaman. They match most conventional lightbulbs for size and shape, but offer energy savings of up to 80% and an operational life of around 15,000 hours - making them the perfect replacement for short-lived energy-guzzling incandescent types.

The range consists of three types: the Classic Series – consisting of compact ‘golf ball’ and “ping pong ball” types, the Candle Series, offering a perfect choice of replacements for all traditional candle shaped bulbs, and the Reflector Series. These incorporate the very latest in lamp tube technology, and are direct replacements for mains halogens and compact spotlamps with GU10 and screw-in base fittings.

All these low energy bulbs use the latest in lamp technology to maximise lumen efficiency, reduce heat and prolong life. The lamps each contain less than 3mg of mercury, in a safe amalgam form, claimed to be an industry first, and they are also built with recyclable solder-less bases which are rustproof, user friendly and environmentally responsible.

They are available from electrical wholesalers, lighting shops and various Internet suppliers throughout the UK and Ireland, as well as major DIY retailers like B&Q. Local suppliers and stockists can be found at : http://www.megamanuk.com/

So no more excuses - you can always find a direct equivalent to old fashioned incandescent bulbs!

Low Energy Lighting - The Way to go

Traditional filament bulbs have been around since the late 1800s, and have become a cosy, reliable background item to which we give little thought. However, the world has changed a lot since Victorian times and is now facing some difficult environmental challenges. The UK government, (like many other governments around the world) has recognised this, and is imposing restrictions on how we use energy supplies. So now we have the CFL - or low energy light bulb.

It wasn’t so very long ago that the low energy light bulbs hit the market, and were pretty crude by today’s standards. Many were bulky and oddly shaped, some gave off a cold, harsh light, and others took a while to warm up to full light output. Unfortunately, many people have based their opinions and experiences on the older models which were around just three or four years ago. Despite some of these preconceptions, there have been some spectacular product advances since then.

Like traditional bulbs, low energy versions now come in all shapes and sizes. They range from traditionally shaped bulbs to round, golf ball and candle shaped varieties, with small or medium screw and bayonet fittings. There are even halogen replacement and dimmable energy saving bulbs on the market and thanks to further developments in CFL technology, consumers can enjoy a warm glow rather than a cold light. The newest types are no longer larger than traditional bulbs, and in some cases are smaller, being designed to fit into even the most compact light fittings.

In an ordinary light bulb, the current is passed through a wire which heats up, producing instant light. This makes them incredibly inefficient, as 95 per cent of the electricity used is lost in the production of heat. Remember, the wattage of a bulb tells you how much power it uses, not how much light it produces, so in comparison, an energy saving bulb will only use 20 watts of power to create the same light as a standard 100 watt bulb.

Regarding warm-up times and brightness, most modern low energy bulbs take little more than a few seconds to reach full light output and nowadays are just as bright as normal bulbs. This short warming up process is due to the way they work, rather like flourescent tubes. In an “in-and-out” situation like an airing cupboard or pantry, where an instant switch-on is required, consumers could always instal an available energy saving alternative such as low voltage halogens or LED-based lamps.

For technical reasons, the glass used to house energy saving light bulbs has to be opaque, not totally transparent as in some traditional light bulbs. In other words, the light quality of energy saving bulbs can’t be directly compared with that of clear incandescents. For a direct, valid comparison, they need to be viewed alongside soft tone incandescent bulbs. Do this, and you will not see any difference. Traditional bulbs can also appear to be brighter as they emit light from just one certain point, whereas low energy bulbs use a longer glass tube to product all-round illumination. This does not mean that the light intensity produced is any less – and there have been laboratory measurements to prove it.

Then there’s the question of cost. At the moment prices vary enormously, but it’s safe to say that prices are coming down fast and are now extremely competitive. With the extra savings on energy, and a longer product life, an average householder will usually recoup the extra outlay within a year. Over a longer period the savings can be substantial.

It is true that producing an energy saving bulb does use more energy than making a traditional bulb, because of its advanced technology. However, the energy saved by using the bulb over its lifetime, and the resultant reduction in noxious exhausts from coal fire power stations which generate electricity, far outweigh this extra energy consumption during the manufacturing process.

Question: Are they dangerous?

Energy saving bulbs do contain tiny traces of mercury – imagine a pellet smaller than the ball at the tip of a ball point pen. Let’s put that into perspective. An average low energy bulb will contain much less than five milligrams of mercury, and in Megaman products it is in a very safe amalgam form anyway. A mercury thermometer will contain about 500 milligrams of mercury while almost 14 milligrams get emitted at a power plant to power an incandescent light bulb. Standard fluorescent strip light tubes, which contain larger amounts of mercury than CFLs, have been widely used for in commercial and public environments for decades without any problems.

Crucially in the long term, this technology will actually ensure less mercury pollutes the atmosphere we breathe. This is because burning fossil fuel such as coal is currently the biggest source of mercury in the air. It is worth noting that a common coal fired power plant will create more mercury pollution in providing power to a single low energy light bulb than is contained within the lamp itself. And unlike the tiny amount of mercury contained within the bulb, the mercury pollution created by a power plant cannot be recycled.