hiya bucks in Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, Marlow, Wycombe, Wooburn March 2014 | Seite 10

The 50plus
Confused about
replacing a light
bulb? Join the crowd!
Ever since it was decreed that the old incandescent bulbs were energy inefficient and
had to go the range of alternatives has grown. In addition to the incandescent we now
have halogen, fluorescent, compact fluorescent and LED ‘s in variety of fittings such as
bayonet, various Edison screws (yes it’s his fault), tubes, push fits and others. Many are
available in both low and mains voltage. Are they all interchangeable? Don’t be silly.

So what do you need to know when replacing a bulb?
1 Efficiency - Simply put energy efficiency runs
from poor to good as shown.

- The 50plus • Plumbing
• Electrical
• Handyman
• From small works
• To larger projects
• Locally based
• Free estimates
• Friendly advice
• NICEIC & Gas Safe personnel
• Free 50plus HomeCare Club
membership for permanent discount
and seasonal offers

0845 22 50 495
www.the50plus.co.uk
By the 50plus for people of all ages
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2 Will it fit? - It’s not just the part that pushes,
plugs or screws in that matters. Many of the
more efficient bulbs are physically larger than
their less efficient counterparts and it’s not
uncommon to find the shade or cover won’t fit.
Be careful when purchasing.
3 Can I replace what I’ve got with what
I plan to buy? - Now hereby lies a tale. If
it’s a mains (240v) fitting then in most cases
yes BUT if you have a dimmer make sure the
replacement bulb can be dimmed; many of
the more efficient bulbs can’t. Incandescent
and mains halogens can nearly all be dimmed,
many low voltage bulbs using power supplies/
transformers most fluorescents and many LED
bulbs don’t work with dimmers. Also be aware
that power supplies for low voltage halogens
don’t work with many LEDs.
With fluorescent fittings you need the correct
tube size and for the ‘D’ versions the correct
number of pins.
Finally there are many shades of white light.
Fluorescents and LEDS have differing colour
gradients so check when buying.

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