In the first of our ‘What’s the Best Low Energy Replacement’ series we are looking at the peoples favourite – the 60w incandescent bulb.
Officially banned in Europe (at least for manufacturing), the 60w light bulb was a popular choice in many homes. As the ones you have stop working you may be wondering what the current best replacement option is – and with so many acronyms we’re here to make your choice easier.
LED:
At the moment the best 60w incandescent replacement choice isn’t and LED. At the time of writing (January 2013) LEDs are certainly up and coming if not a suitable replacement for some bulbs such as GU10’s but not a standard BC* or ES/E27* light bulb. Currently although there are options available they are either too expensive to be economically viable, or just not bright enough for most applications.
CFL:
The current best replacement option for a 60w incandescent bulb is a CFL helix bulb such as our 20w T2 Helix (BC) bulb. The 20w Helix bulbs are actually brighter than a 60w bulb (1000 lumens vs 850 lumens), are less wide and slightly shorter than a GLS bulb and are available in both warm white (3000K) and daylight white (6400K) colour spectra.
Forget about the old slow-start-up issue – this lamp uses T2 technology to be one of the smallest, fastest quickest bulbs on the market. The T2 technology is essentially a thinner glass tube which can be twisted into a tighter turns, resulting in the smallest, brightest, compact fluorescent lamps possible. It’s small size compared with other low energy bulbs of a similar brightness makes this bulb ideal for any general lighting purpose where you need plenty of light.
Check available 20w helix bulb options »
If the 20w bulb is too bright, the same quick-start technology is also available in even smaller versions such as 11w, 9w and 7w in BC, ES and SES fittings.
If those bulbs aren’t quite bright enough we also stock the larger 30w (150w incandescent equivalent) – check available 30w helix bulb options »
Wait, I Need The Old Shape!
There are some applications where the same ‘GLS’ (General Lighting Standard) shaped bulb is needed and in those cases we recommend one of the halosaver range of bulbs.
The halogen replacement bulb range uses a halogen capsule inside the standard shaped bulb and gives a saving of around 30% whilst also being completely compatible with all dimmers. They don’t have the same long-life as the CFL bulbs but for some people they are a useful stop-gap until a cheaper dimmable LED comes along.
The halogen replacement bulb range is available in wattages from 18w to 70w replacing bulbs from 25w to 100w but for a 60w-replacement option simply use one of the 42w halosaver range – we might even have some frosted bulbs left if you are quick.
Come back soon for more in our ‘What’s the Best Low Energy Replacement’ series.
*BC = bayonet fitting bulb; ES/E27 = Edison screw or 27mm screw-in fitting bulb.