Low energy bulbs and dimmer switches

[skymoo]

are they not compatible? I tried one and the switch buzzed!

All I know is the standard ones are not.
I think they might be ok if you don't dim the switch.

But sure I've seen somewhere ones that are compatible & you've reminded me to find them!

You can buy low energy bulbs that are dimmable and they don't hum.

dexter Where? I've been looking for ages and never found one that says on the box that you can use it with dimmer switches.

Dimmable bulbs here

My electrician also recommended the ones linked to above (megaman).
Some low evergy bulbs are labelled dimmable but dont work with all dimmers.
I know because after having our upstairs re-wired we bought some Phillips bulbs from Homebase for all our dimmers and managed to bust them all!

Thanks all - those on the link look better than the spiraly sort too

But beware, it's hard to get a sensible answer. I have spent a fortune on dimmable energy saving bulbs with our dimmer switches and they keep blowing - it has cost me a fortune. And I still don't quite know why.

It seems that dimmable bulbs only work with some dimmer switches - you have to find out which wattage loading it is and I have no idea how. If you have a multiple dimmer switch (ours has four) then the chances are it won't work. Also, if you put them in an enclosed light (i.e. with glass all round) they also blow. Sigh. Some of the bulb sellers have a leaflet, but tbh I didn't understand it...

We compromised with the kind of bulbs that use 70% of normal electricity (can't remember the kind but got them from Homebase) and turn them off as much as possible.

Our dimmer switches buzz and we have ordinary light bulbs. Think its the switch ratehr than the bulbs.

Its true that it does depend on the dimmer itself. We have GET Ultimate and my electrician asked them and they recommended the Megaman bulbs - only worked this out after normal low evergy bulbs had blown all the dimmers.
Prob worth calling the manufacturer of your dimmers, a faff but easier than being withouth upstairs/landing lights for a few days as we were...

I got the Philips EcoClassic bulb and they are £2.89. I have had no problem with the bulb blowing and it has been in for over a year. I bought mine from Waitrose so I think they are readily available.

Yes those are the ones we use now as well -they don't save as much money as a 'proper' energy saving bulb, but they do save having to replace all our dimmer switches...