Ultra Efficient Lightbulbs

[nowty]

The Philips Dubai Lamps which were only allowed to be sold in Dubai had a spec of 200 lumens per watt. But now there are several ranges here which beat that with 210 lumens per watt.

I noticed that the “ultra efficient” bulbs from Phillips seem a bit more available now and down in price a bit. Similar ones are also now available from Osram. They are all edison screw types though, no one seems to want UK bayonet type business. I had to replace some of my light pendant bayonet fittings to the edison screw types.

Stop Press – Crompton are doing a similar spec range with bayonet fittings.

I bought several different types recently and have been trying them out for a few weeks as replacements for existing older LED bulbs using between 2 and 3 times the power.



From right to left,
Osram frosted glass E27 shape, 2.5W or 525 lumens.
Philips clear E14 candle shape, 2.3W or 485 lumens.
Philips clear E27 shape, 2.3W or 485 lumens.
Philips frosted E27 shape, 4W or 840 lumens.
Philips clear E27 shape, 7.3W or 1536 lumens.

General spec,
1W per 210 lumens
3000k – Warm White (4000k cool white are also available)
50,000 hrs life.
500,000 switching operations.
Frosted glass versions are available for some models.

First thing I found is the clear bulbs (plastic) with the LED filaments are just too bright to look at, so I used those only in light fittings that have a shade or some type of diffuser.

However, the frosted glass bulbs are fantastic in direct view, in fact they are the closest things I have ever seen to an old traditional frosted tungsten light bulb.

The light is a bit weird, a lot more yellow and a hint of green so might take a bit of getting used to but after a couple of days, I was ok with it.

You can tell without any test gear of their efficiency as they are as bright or even brighter than their predecessors of double power and their bases do not even get warm with only a slight warmth from the LED filaments. I think we are approaching the end of the lightbulb efficiency journey.

I calculate that I will save just under 1kWh a day and its going to take about 5 to 7 years for payback at cheapslot pricing. My old bulbs are being upcycled to my folks.

My wish list is a 1W frosted E14 candle shape and a 4W R63 frosted reflector bulb version.
I reckon I could save another 0.5kWh a day if they get added.

There is a youtube teardown report here,

[Stinsy]

Should last longer than the overdriven cheapo units we've seen in recent years.

[Mr Gus]

From whence doth they come Sir Nowty?

[nowty]

From whence doth they come Sir Nowty?

Philips / Osram from here,
https://theledspecialist.co.uk/ultra-ef ... lamps.html

Crompton from here,
https://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/cromp ... r-40w-eqv/

Also Philips from Argos, Amazon, John Lewis, amongst others.

Prices seem to be very similar everywhere now.

[pudding]

Appears nothing dimmable yet though from a quick look? All my house switches are dimmers, so I'll be waiting a while longer to switch it what I've got.

[Mr Gus]

Thanks, didn't know they'd got out into the general population.

[Joeboy]

I bought 8 ses osram 4W Dubai bulbs. Absolutely brilliant (pun intended). Did a wee workshop with daughter showing the 40W burn on a filament bulb. I think we went from 200W of table lamps to 20W at her new place.

Quite astonishing to see it sitting steady pulling only 4W on the meter.

[Mr Gus]

Once you can not balk at the cost, it is indeed exciting times once again in lighting, like the mainstream breakthrough of led all over again.

It made me realise that one of my oldest "used daily" 10 watt led floods has bucked the failure trend suffered by larger 30 & 50 watt floods & is now some 15+ years old, & the lidl i.r. actiivated unit in the larder is likely 13 years old ..time with led has seriously flown right!? ..so we are definitely due an upgrade where "dubai" / "ultra efficient" is concerned

The glue & plastic encased transformers have typically been the cause of death for my kit, claiming 4+ floods over the years.

I think i'll try a couple of the latest variety for stairwells & take it from there, ..which are actually philips, the cheaper brand generic units only lasted a few years apiece but have definitely paid for themselves, current hall leds are philips bin ends from b&q with 3 power stage lighting (£2 apiece)

I guess.it's musical bulbs time here too, think the garage may still be last of the cfl's.

[Windbag]

Oh no. Not leds again.

Am I the only one who has a box full of "previous"

As a side note, I do have a gu10 spot Eric will take out your broadband. No really. Produces light & huge reins interference.

[Stinsy]

I managed to avoid the £2 landfill LEDs. Paid £50 a pop for those funny-looking ultra-efficient Phillips ones with the 3x yellow lobes over a decade ago and they’re all still working.