Energy saving light bulb reviews: FAQs

Using energy-saving light bulbs should save you money

What's happened to traditional bulbs?

Old-fashioned incandescents are being phased out - they will no longer be sold from September 2012, or earlier in many major retailers.

What can I use instead?

There are three types of energy-saving light bulb - compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), halogens and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Read our features explained page to learn more.

Will using energy-saving light bulbs save me money?

In most homes, lighting accounts for approximately 15% of the electricity bill, and, although efficient lighting can cost more in the short term, each bulb can reduce your electricity bill by around £2.50 per year or £6 for brighter bulbs or bulbs that are kept on for longer. So replacing all your light bulbs with energy saving ones could save around £45 per year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Are energy-saving light bulbs better than traditional incandescent versions?

Not only are energy-saving light bulbs are better for the environment, but they also better for your wallet - especially the more efficient ones, revealed by our independent testing.

Whereas there used to be a choice of old-fashioned incandescent bulbs, there is now increasingly little choice, as these are being phased out.

100W and 75W incandescent bulbs have already been phased out, with 60W bulbs following in September 2011 and all remaining incandescent bulbs by September 2012. Some retailers are phasing them out earlier than this.

Which wattage of energy saving lamp should I replace my traditional bulb with?

Energy savers use fewer watts than traditional bulbs to produce the same amount of light. So wattage does not tell you which light bulb to buy to get as much light as you did from your old incandescent bulb.

It is the lumen output stated on the box that will help you to find the brightness of bulb you need.

Our features explained page shows the relationship between lumens and watts for different types of light bulb.

Can I use LEDs instead of CFLs?

The LED bulbs designed to replace incandescent (or other bayonet or edison screw fit energy saving bulbs) are still relatively new and are expensive. They claim very long lifetimes.

Although they are very efficient and give out all their light immediately at start-up, LEDs are still only available at low light outputs. Current LED bulbs produce around 200-300 lumens (lm) – less light than you get from a typical 8W CFL.

Do energy-saving bulbs struggle to get started?

Yes, they can do. We check light output when bulbs are first turned on and then at intervals to ensure measured light output meets what’s promised on the package. The results of our independent testing show which bulbs give out a good level of light at start-up - and those that don't.

Will switching energy saving bulbs on and off affect their lifetime?

It can do, but it depends on the bulb. Our results show how bulbs fared when put through our test of 30,000 on/off switching cycles.

Can I use energy saving bulbs in cold areas?

You may want to steer clear of compact fluorescent lamps in cold areas of your home. We test the performance of the bulbs at both 5º and -10º, and can confirm this adversely affects the performance of most bulbs.

Can I use energy saving bulbs with dimmers and timers?

Some energy saving bulbs can be used with dimmers and timers. Halogen energy savers are usually suitable for use with dimmers and timers, some CFLs are too, although they tend to be the more expensive ones.

Suitability for use with dimmers and timers should be stated on the packaging, so check the information on the box before you buy.

Low-energy light bulbs will not cause skin cancer

Can I find bulbs for chandelier-style light fittings?

In the past, energy saving light bulbs were available only in large stick or, occasionally, globe shapes. This shape of bulbs didn't appeal to those with chandelier-style light fittings or those with antique glass shades.

Manufacturers have now started producing bulbs that have a more traditional appearance. You can now buy candle and smaller globe-shaped bulbs.

Do energy saving light bulbs cause cancer?

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) issued a warning in October 2008 about some energy saving light bulbs emitting higher levels of UV radiation than guidelines suggest is safe.

It suggests that, as a precaution, spiral and tube-type bulbs should not be used when people are less than 30cm away from the bulb – for example, on a desk lamp – for more than one hour a day. Instead, consumers should switch to globe-style bulbs, or move the lamp further away.

The HPA is keen to point out that energy saving light bulbs will not cause skin cancer. Sitting very close to a bulb that emits more than the recommended amount of UV light has similar effects to going outside on a sunny day – so some caution is recommended. But there’s no need to panic and replace bulbs with energy-guzzling incandescent ones.

How can I dispose of used energy saving light bulbs?

The mercury content in an average energy saving bulb is no more than 5 milligrams – and would fit on the tip of a ballpoint pen – but it's still a hazardous material. For this reason, used low-energy bulbs need to be recycled rather than going in the bin.

Our interactive recycling tool shows you how to get rid of different types of light bulbs.

You can find your nearest local recycling site by entering your postcode on the recyclenow websites. Some high street retailers also have recycling points in selected stores, including Robert Dyas.

All Homebase and Ikea stores also take back energy-saving light bulbs, along with 250 of the larger branches of Sainsbury's.

In this review

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