FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Q: Do they flicker when you turn them on?
A: Not anymore unlike early models of energy saver lights and lamps a few years ago. The latest lamp designs include an electronic rapid start circuit to make the lamp light in less than 1 second with virtually no flickering.

Q: Do they take time to warm up?
A: The latest compact fluorescent lamps warm up much faster in comparison to older designs. They will typically reach 95% of their full brightness in under a minute.

Q: Can energy savers be used with a dimmer switch?
A: Most CFL energy saving lamps in the UK cannot be dimmed using a standard domestic dimmer unless you purchase a lamp that is specifically designed to be dimmed. These lamps will be named dimmable lamps.

Q: What does the average life mean?
A: Energy saving lamps are given an average life rating or between 8,000 hours and 10,000 hours. This is the average time a lamp should last given that the fitting, switch and electrical supply is in perfect working order. The average life rating is obtained by testing a number of lamps until half have failed. Once half the lamps have failed the time taken is the average life of the lamps - The life expectancy of a lamp is not a guarantee but a guideline.

Q: Do compact fluorescent lamps get hot?
A: Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) use less electricity than standard incandescent and halogen lamps and so produce far less heat. This makes CFL bulbs safer for use in unattended security or night light applications and ideal for use with lampshades made of delicate materials that can be damaged by heat. However all energy saving lamps do produce heat and therefore should never be used in an enclosed fitting. The fitting must have air vents to allow the heat to escape and not build-up as this will damage the lamp/s.

Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: We accept all the major credit and debit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Switch, Solo and Maestro and we can also take PayPal payments.

Q: What guarantee / Warranty do you offer on lamps?
A: We offer a 21 day guarantee on all our lamps. So if something goes wrong within this time please contact us and let us know. We can not offer a longer guarantee as external factor such as power fluctuations / variations and surges will reduce the life span of lamps considerably.

Q: What factors can affect energy saving lamps life spans?
A: There are many factors that can affect the life span of an energy saving lamp. These are generally related to voltage or power variations in the power supply. These can be caused by old supply meters with no RCD fitted, power surges, badly wired switches (arching), badly fitted fittings (arching), dirty contacts in the fitting, constant vibrations, hours per start (the period of time lamps are left on before being turned off, lamps will generally last longer if operated at longer start times), being fitted on a dimmer switch, being fitted outside can drastically affect the life span of energy saving lamps as they do not like cold conditions and more.

Q: Do your prices include VAT?
A: At present we do not charge VAT on any of our products as we are a new business (started in May 2008) and below the threshold to charge UK VAT. This means the price you see for a lamp is the price you pay (Plus postage and packaging, P&P).

Q: Is online payment secure?
A: Yes - All online payments are secure using a secure credit card server and we never get to see your full credit card or debit card details.

Q: How long does delivery take?
A: Delivery will be between 2-5 working day.

Q: How do I dispose of my energy saving lamps once they fail or start to dim?
A: Please visit the following site which can help you dispose of your energy saving lamps safely Recolight.

Q: Arnt energy saving lamps larger than standard lamps?
A: This used to be the case but there are now a large range of low energy lamps that are the same size or smaller than their incandescent counterparts. Please check the dimensions that we provide with regards to our lamps before ordering.

Q: Dont CFLs contain mercury?
A: Energy saving bulbs contain only tiny traces of mercury - imagine a pellet smaller than the tip of a biro. Whats more, in the long term, CFL technology will actually help less mercury to pollute the air.

This is because burning fossil fuels like coal is the biggest source of mercury in the air. And as energy saving bulbs use 80% less electricity than a traditional bulb, they mean far less mercury overall.

Q: What does the mAh value mean?
A: The higher the mAh the more power that is stored in the batteries and the longer the batteries will last before charging is needed again. e.g. 1000 mAh rechargeables will last half the amount of time in the same appliance as 2000mAh rechargeables.

Q: What does NiCd and NiMH mean and which is best?
A: NiCd stands for "nickel-cadmium battery" and NiMH stands for nickel-metal hydride battery. NiMh batteries have now taken over from NiCd batteries as the industry standard as they hold more charge and last so much longer.

Q: How many times can I recharge rechargeable batteries?
A: Rechargeable batteries can be charged about 1000 times and cost just a penny or two to recharge.

Q: I have a large order, can I get a discount?
A: PLease contact us via e-mail with the product details and order quantity and we will see what deal we can offer you.

Q: Can you ship my order to my work address?
A: Yes - You can choose a different delivery address in your account, we will need you main address you add though to be your credit or debit card address.

For further information on energy saving lamps please visit the Energy Saving Trust Website - Energy Saving Trust.