Had anyone else experienced this? We've had some light fittings put in and were told when they were being sold to us that they were super-energy-efficient, used up very little fuel and that the bulbs would "last for ages"..and incidentally the shop assistant who sold us the fittings "has exactly the same fittings and they're just fantastic". Our centre ceiling light has 5 bulb fittings in it (replaced those 2 weeks ago and 3 have popped; the 2 at the fireplace have 2 bulb fittiings each and 1 of these has popped already. They're not cheap either! Doesn't seem to matter whether I choose a low wattage (I believe they come in either 25 or 40 watts and I always choose the 25). When I phoned Litecraft to explain this to them, I was told that to avoid this, I've to put the bulbs in with a tissue as the "oil that comes off of human hands depreciates the power within the bulb"..eh!? I've done all of that and I'm still 18 months down the line, buying bulbs every other week! Any advice?
2007-12-30 08:02:39 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Which type of lamp are you using i.e lamp number/ shape cap/ voltage ?? I may be able to suggest an alternative..
Halogen lamps were never energy efficient! Life is usually rated at 1000 or 2000 hours depending on type, also lots of cheap lamps out there, use branded/ long life .. BLV/ Osram/GE etc. I have three 12v 50 watt downlights in my bathroom, and have only replaced two lamps in 18 years, quality lamps and transformers do make a difference to lamp life, they are used for at least 2hrs per day, that's about 13000 hours. You could also fit a MK or Lutron dimmer switch with 'Soft Start' this will lengthen the lamp life dramatically, make sure that you get a high enough wattage dimmer switch.
2007-12-30 10:59:09 · answer #1 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I take it they are the 250v type halogen lamps & not the 12v variety. In my old house I had nearly 78 in total. Yes is the answer to your question. I was constantly replacing bulbs. bare in mind I am an ex electrician & the house had just been rewired. I kept an eye on which bulbs were blowing to see if there was a pattern. At this point I moved house. but I was going to try different makes of bulb to see which lasted the longest. It maybe that a particular brand is made on the cheap. I can not give you an aswer to this question but I would love to know the answer. As someone previously suggested touching the bulb will ruin it & there is no doubt about that. But never the less that was not the issue with me.
2007-12-30 08:23:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
# 1 dont touch the bulb with your bare hands
# 2 they do get hotter than a regular bulb
# 3 they are not as cheap to run as a regular bulb
# 4 Make sure you are using the right model and wattage bulb
also make sure you know if your light fixture it high voltage = 120v or they may be low voltage = 12v. the low voltage will have a transformer some where on the light
2007-12-30 08:25:04 · answer #3 · answered by Bob S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like the bulbs are being touched while being installed. The oil on your fingers will ruin the bulbs. If this is not the case, contact an electrician as you must have faulty wiring or fixtures. I have halogen bulbs in my house and they last for 2-3 years before replacing.
2007-12-30 08:13:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No great advice. I am in the same boat as you are. I have two light fittings, one in my hallway and one in my living room. They look amazing but everytime the bulb goes I tend to start disliking them. I must admit they take different types of halogen lights, the ones in the living room are fine but its the hallway lights that are really getting on my nerves. I don't spend quite as much on lights as you may do as I shop at a local electrical dealers. They supply lightbulbs for literally 70p each and the more you buy the better. I tend to call round to my friends and my mums and we buy lots so it ends up cheaper for all of us. I don't know if they are as envioronmentally friendly as people may claim as you buy so many each year. Whoever told you to use a tissue is right in telling you to do so. The lightbulbs do go faster. There are also places that sell a plastic rubber grip to grip the light bulb so there is no contact at all. Look on the internet for electrical suppliers that sell items at wholesale price. I can't offer any more help than that. Good Luck : )
2007-12-30 08:25:20 · answer #5 · answered by miss gorgeous 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure about the halogen bulbs,but were the regular bulbs before working ok?If not ,could be a faulty wiring in the light fixture.
2007-12-30 08:07:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Same thing for me. 8 bulbs in the kitchen and looking at them now 4 have blown !! got pee'd off with replacing them so just make do with them untill it becomes too dark to function safely in the kitchen.
2007-12-30 12:52:09 · answer #7 · answered by ÊxÇUςЄ м∑ ↕'М РіςςЄÐ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are cost effective and enviromentally friendly as they last longer and give off less heat than Tungsten and they use less energy for a brighter light than normal light. So you might pay more but in the long run you dont have to buy bulbs as often.
2007-12-30 08:10:06 · answer #8 · answered by LexianaFaith 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The natural oils on your skin will affect the bulbs so the assistant was not spinning you a yarn with regard to that.
I do find it amazing just how many assistants have exactly the same as what I am considering buying though!
It would seem that you have a faulty light fitting, we had a couple of halogen light fitting in our old home. As far as I can remember we had to change the bulbs about four times over an eighteen year period.
I know that is not much help, sorry.
2007-12-30 19:08:17 · answer #9 · answered by Gardengirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a similar experience with halogens in a gallery viewing area.
Now way I would have them installed in my home!
2007-12-30 08:26:58 · answer #10 · answered by eine kleine nukedmusik 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋