Energy-saving lamps are widely used in Russia. They have a lot of advantages over conventional incandescent lamps, and they also allow you to consume many times less electricity with better light transmission. In addition, such lamps "live" longer, their service life is calculated in tens of thousands of hours.

How does the economy work?

Standard (ESL) works due to the current that passes through the converter installed in the electronic board. When the voltage hits the filament tubes located in the flask, they heat up and ionize the electrons. Electrons interact with mercury vapor or mercury compounds to form a low-temperature amalgam that emits ultraviolet radiation. Inside the flask is covered with a special powder - a phosphor, it is he who turns UV rays into light visible to humans.

The energy-saving light bulb is equipped with an electronic ballast. It ensures the start of the lighting device, eliminates noise during its operation, prevents radio wave radiation, protects electronics and filament tubes from overheating and burnout during power surges. The mechanism of action and the structure of the device determines its energy efficiency.

comparison table

To understand exactly how the housekeeper differs from its progenitor of an incandescent lamp, consider a comparative table.

Truths and myths about saving

Are energy-saving lamps really energy-saving? This question is asked by many consumers who want to make sure they are spending their money on a quality and energy efficient product. People's curiosity is easy to explain, because the housekeeper costs much more than an ordinary incandescent light bulb, and it can burn out in a few days. Let's try to calculate how much electricity can be saved by using innovative lamps.

Important! All calculations are approximate and their values ​​may differ for individual consumers. We operate with conditional values ​​and amounts, which can be radically opposite for you.

The theory says that the amount of electricity spent by a device with a power of 1 kW in 1 hour is considered a kilowatt-hour. Let's say that we have 1 "Ilyich's light bulb" with a power of 60 W, we turn it on every day for about 6 hours. Now consider the costs:

If we replace the incandescent light bulb with an energy-saving analogue, then the picture will change. In order to get a light output similar to the light output of the "Ilyich's light bulb" at 60 W, you need to choose a housekeeper of only 20 W. Now let's do the calculations:

• 20 W x 6 hours x 30 days = 3.6 kWh

You will be able to consume almost 3 times less electricity. However, it should be borne in mind that the cost of a good quality energy-saving lamp will be 15-20 times higher than the cost of an incandescent lamp. The real savings will begin only when the lamp pays for itself.

If we consider that in winter we turn on the lighting for about 10 hours, and in summer for 3 hours, then a light bulb purchased in the warm and bright season will pay for itself after 8 months, and in winter - after 2.4 months.

Possible nuances

Considering that the life of an energy-saving lamp can reach 20,000 hours, then it helps to save very well, even if you subtract its payback. However, it is worth remembering that such lighting devices are very “sensitive” to the negative influence of the external environment.

The following factors can disable the lighting fixture ahead of time:

• high voltage surges in the network (only if manufacturers use a low-quality fuse);
• high humidity, which leads to the breakdown of the condenser;
• too low and too high air temperature (affects the quality of light output and lamp warm-up time);
• frequent switching on and off of the device (the interval between switching on and off must be at least 10 minutes).

If all precautions are not followed, then the ESL can break down in a few weeks. In such a case, savings will be deferred indefinitely.

Consumers can take advantage of the warranty, if there is one. However, in order to replace a lighting fixture with a new one, the seller may require confirmation that your network has not experienced sudden voltage drops during its entire life. Few people want to go for a document to an energy company, it’s easier to buy a new light bulb.

Important Points

It is not worth considering light bulbs as the main device that consumes electricity. In addition to them, the apartments are equipped with electric stoves, electric kettles, microwave ovens, food processors, TVs, computers, washing machines and other household appliances. The lion's share of electricity consumption falls on the use of this technique, and not on the lighting of the apartment. It is for this reason that by installing a housekeeper, you may not see a significant difference in your utility bill.

The feasibility of using ESL

You can get significant savings from energy-saving lamps only if you install them in rooms that are illuminated almost around the clock. As a rule, these are production facilities, offices, bars, cafes and restaurants. In such conditions, there will be a minimum number of switching on and off the device, so it will be able to work out the time specified by the manufacturers.

Generally speaking, it is advisable to use energy-saving lamps when the electricity bill exceeds their initial cost. In this case, the economy will quickly pay off and begin to really reduce resource consumption.

Before installing a lighting device of this type in a residential area, you need to make calculations and find out how much electricity goes directly to the organization of illumination. Only after that it is possible to make a conclusion whether ESL will be economical or not.

Summing up

An energy-saving lamp allows you to save, but not in all cases. It does indeed have a longer lifespan than an incandescent lamp, consumes less energy and wins in other characteristics. However, when calculating the efficiency of the device, it is necessary to take into account the recommendations for its operation, the lighting time of the room and other factors. In each case, the benefits of the housekeeper will be different.

An energy-saving lamp is in every home. Is there any harm, why energy-saving lamps burn out or smell, what to do if the light bulb flashes, cracks or breaks, you will learn from this article.

In this article, we will consider the following questions:

Energy-saving lamps include lamps that work on glow effects due to the luminescence of the phosphor and the emissivity of LEDs. They have a traditional design: a glass flask mounted in a base (cartridge).

The action of the lamps is based on the start of a gas-discharge process that causes the glow of a phosphor concentrated on the walls of the glass bulb of the lamp. The gas discharge process is caused by a high voltage acting on a gaseous medium consisting of an inert gas and mercury vapor. This process is called the avalanche emission of electrons from the cathode towards another electrode.

Modern energy-saving lamps do not require separate power sources, they use the type of cartridge familiar to incandescent lamps, they are technologically advanced and meet electrical safety requirements.

Why is an energy-saving light bulb harmful?

Due to the fact that the gaseous environment of a fluorescent lamp contains a certain amount of mercury vapor, as a result of which there is a danger of poisoning. Long-term human contact with mercury vapor and its chemical compounds ends in death, but it should also be understood that even short-term contact can cause poisoning and even a neurological disease - mercurialism.

The glass bulb of a fluorescent lamp emits ultraviolet radiation, which can be dangerous for people with sensitive skin. Its danger lies in the impact on the eyes, damaging the retina and cornea.

The harm from energy-saving light bulbs lies in the danger of mercury vapor poisoning and exposure to the cornea and retina of the ultraviolet radiation.

Energy-saving light bulbs on the market are positioned not only as economical, but they are also more reliable than incandescent lamps. Fashion includes various devices that make life easier for a person in a metropolis. These are light switches. If the illumination is carried out by a neon light bulb, then the lamp is constantly energized, which leads to its premature resource consumption and rapid failure.

Another reason that energy-saving lamps burn out quickly may be a closed ceiling or other enclosed space where ventilation is difficult. Answer the question: " Why do energy saving light bulbs burn out? " analysis of the circuit for its inclusion, power surges will also allow. As the saying goes, nothing is eternal.

Why do energy-saving lamps smell or stink?

A foreign smell from an energy-saving lamp may be due to the heating of its plastic elements. The semiconductor elements of the power supply located in the base of the lamp operate in key mode. This is the most difficult mode of operation of switching elements - transistors in terms of energy. There are transistors on the board without heatsinks, heat removal is minimal, through a plastic case. Therefore, the smell can be given by the plastic elements used in the electric lamp.

If an odor is detected, the source should be carefully examined. Because the smell can be given not only by the lamp, but also by the cartridge into which it is inserted, and the insulation of the supply wires. The element that emits the smell must be replaced with a new, serviceable one. It is important to know that the cartridge into which the light bulb is inserted also has a limit on the power of the inserted load. This load should never be exceeded.

There have also been cases where the source of the odor was the varnish that was used to coat the circuit board of the lamp's power supply. This is evidence of the dishonesty of the lamp manufacturer, who decided to use an inappropriate element in the product. To avoid this, it is necessary to control the standards on the packaging of the lamp, which the lamps must comply with. The more standards a lamp meets, the better. The lamp emitting an unpleasant odor must be replaced.

The smell from energy-saving light bulbs should be the reason for the search for a possible source of ignition. Serviceable elements work practically without a smell.

Why do the energy-saving lamps that are off flash?

The flashing of electric lamps is clearly visible at night or in a dark room. These are such noticeable flashes of light with a frequency of about once per second. Here, the problem may also be hidden in the backlit switch. There is no problem on switches that do not have such a backlight.

The reason is as follows. Every energy-saving lamp has a capacitor that starts the lamp. When the switch is off, its LED lights up. This means that a small electric current passes through it (from the network and through our energy-saving lamp).

It is this small flowing current that charges the capacitor, which at a certain point in time starts the energy-saving lamp. Then a small flash occurs and the capacitor discharges again and the process repeats. That's why energy-saving light bulbs flicker.

Why does an energy-saving light bulb flicker?

An extraneous sound effect occurs due to a malfunction of the power supply elements of the lamp itself. Recall that it works in a pulsed mode, if the elements of the power supply fail, an unpleasant chirring may occur.

The sound may also be of contact origin due to poor contact in the cartridge. If the effect is of contact origin, then it is easily eliminated by restoring good contact. First of all, it is necessary to tighten the lamp in the cartridge more strongly.

When a positive result is not achieved in this way, it is necessary, with the switch off and the lamp unscrewed, to try to push the tongue of the lamp on which it sits in the cartridge. The last experiment is to replace the lamp with a new one or check it in another cartridge.

When an energy-saving light bulb crackles, it is necessary to check the lamp itself and the cartridge in which it is included.

What to do if the light bulb is broken

When an energy-saving lamp breaks, carefully collect the remains of the lamp, observing safety precautions. This is to ventilate the room so that the remnants of mercury vapor evaporate. Wet cleaning indoors should be carried out using a soapy water solution.

When cleaning, use rubber gloves; after cleaning, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, removing all possible remnants of the lamp from the room.

How to dispose of energy saving light bulbs?

It must be remembered that fluorescent lamps are not thrown away as ordinary garbage, where they break and everyone breathes mercury vapor, but recycling of energy saving light bulbs is carried out by handing them over to the appropriate collection points.

Outcome

There are many problems with fluorescent-type energy-saving lamps. The most common are flashing, sound effects and extraneous unpleasant odors can occur. In order to prevent these phenomena, it is necessary to choose lamps from time-tested manufacturers that meet a large number of international standards (from five), use energy-saving LED-type lamps.

Video: Energy-saving lamp flashes. Causes and how to fix

With the switch off? This is a question that interests many users of modern LED lighting. Is it dangerous or not? What are the reasons for this phenomenon? What are the best lamps for home use? We will try to answer these and other questions in the article.

What is it

It is an ordinary lamp, which consists of many semiconductor crystals and an optical system. It is a semiconductor device that converts electrical voltage into light. The spectrum of emitted light depends on the chemical composition of the semiconductor. The first such device appeared in 1968 and was very expensive, and the mass production of lamps was launched only in the 21st century. Their design resembles a mini-computer and includes a case, LED, diffuser, heatsink, driver, base. If the LED lamp glows when the switch is off, do not panic. There are several logical explanations for this phenomenon.

Peculiarities

With the switch off? It should be noted that the LED-bulb is economical. It reduces electricity costs by almost six times. Long service life is one of the features of the device: the lamp retains its ability to illuminate for fifty thousand hours. It turns on immediately, without delay, like ordinary incandescent lamps. The composition of the LED does not contain hazardous elements, such as mercury and other heavy metals, which would have a negative impact on human health. In addition, the device practically does not heat up during operation, since it does not radiate heat. White light does not irritate the human eye, even so bright.

pros

What should I do if the LED lamp is on when the switch is off? This is not dangerous ? The mysterious afterglow does not pose a danger to humans. LED fixtures have many advantages:

• compared to conventional lighting, they consume a small amount of energy (10 volts) to evenly illuminate even a large room;
• do not emit ultraviolet light and do not damage the tissues of the human eye;
• do not heat the air;
• long service life allows significant savings (if the light bulb shines for five hours every day, it will last for ten years);
• environmentally friendly compared to energy-saving devices;
• their body is durable, protected from strong shocks and damage;
• weigh little;
• heat up in one second.

One of the reasons why the LED lamp glows when the switch is turned off is the presence of such a function in the switch.

Minuses

If the LED lamp is lit when the illuminated switch is off, there may be a wiring problem. Despite the innovation, functionality and technical characteristics, such lamps still have disadvantages:

• the main disadvantage is the high price of the device, compared with energy-saving and incandescent lamps;
• many users are annoyed by the spectrum of LEDs, they are not used for reading books or painstaking work;
• due to the massive use of LED lighting, electricity prices may rise.

These small drawbacks do not cover significant advantages, which include energy savings, quality and safety.

The reasons

What should I do if the LED lamp is on when the switch is off? "RadioKot" - a forum dedicated to electronics, contains a lot of useful information on this topic. According to the members of the forum, there may be several reasons for the weak light after turning off.

1. Incorrect wiring connection.
2. The switch has a neon backlight.
3. The LED light is of poor quality.
4. The LED lamp has additional options (slowly fading lamp).

LED lamps are designed in such a way that their main work is constant voltage. Inside the device is a rectifier, which receives current. Sometimes it happens that after turning off the lamp is dimly lit or flickers. Wiring problems, poor quality of the LEDs used are the main reasons for this phenomenon. If the device uses a resistor, it keeps the diodes glowing. They accumulate electricity, so even after the lamps are turned off, they emit a weak light.

This happens when the illuminated switch is open. In this case, the current to the lamp comes from the switch itself. It does not affect the network load. The current performs the function of charging the capacitor. When the charge reaches a certain level, it flashes and turns off. Thus, the process proceeds in a circle, and there are short flashes in the lamp or LED strips.

If you don't want to experience flickering light during or after turning off, choose the right lamp. Conscientious manufacturers on the packaging always indicate instructions that indicate the principle of operation of LED lighting devices and recommendations for correct operation. It is undesirable to use LED lamps together with illuminated rocker switches, photocells, dimmers, timers. All this interferes with the operation of the product and causes periodic flashing.

Unfortunately, lighting fixtures are often faked. When buying, try to carefully study the packaging in which the lamp is located. The cause of burning after turning off, as well as flashing, is sometimes an incorrect installation. If this problem bothers you, try fixing it yourself. Check if the light bulb is screwed in securely (when the power is off). Remember that the simultaneous use of switches with neon lights (they are needed to recognize their location) and LEDs is not recommended.

Environmental friendliness

Are LEDs safe or not? Many believe that these lamps are dangerous to human health. If we compare them with energy-saving ones, which contain mercury, we can say with confidence: LED lighting is the future. They are not only economical, but also environmentally friendly. The lamps keep the environment intact, as they do not emit heavy metals after disposal. Their design is such that devices work without dangerous, harmful, toxic substances in the composition. Why is the LED lamp on when the switch is off on the car? The reason may be an incorrect wiring connection or an incorrectly selected light bulb.

Dangerous or not

Why is the LED lamp on when the switch is off? The reasons are different, one of which is a malfunction of the device or its poor quality. If we compare LED lamps and traditional ones (fluorescent, mercury, metal halide, sodium), the former are completely safe. Traditional modern lighting devices contain up to 100 mg of mercury vapor. If they are damaged during transportation or after they have served their time, toxic substances enter the atmosphere. Mercury is dangerous not only for the environment, but also for humans in any of its states - liquid or gaseous.

Exploitation

Does the LED lamp glow when the switch is off? It is recommended to replace the device with a new one if there are no problems with the wiring. Try not to neglect the rules for operating LED lamps, then they will work properly.

1. Dismantling and installation of the device is carried out with the electricity turned off.
2. Do not allow the LED lamp to come into contact with water.
3. It is not recommended to use the lamp unless it is protected from water and dust.
4. Lamps must not be used in appliances with a dimmer switch.
5. If the LED is used in a circuit with a switch that has a neon backlight, the tab will glow faintly when off.
6. To reduce the service life leads to the connection of the lamp to a voltage other than the rated voltage.
7. Temperature changes in the operation of the lamp lead to its breakdown.
8. LEDs can not be disposed of, as there are no hazardous substances in the composition.
9. Lamps are warranted for three years from the date of purchase.

LED lighting can completely replace traditional lighting. Such light bulbs are used in any lighting fixtures, interior, depending on the preferences of the person.

Price

In the course of the article, we found out why the LED lamp glows when the switch is off. But to use it or not - everyone decides for himself. An objective disadvantage of LEDs is their high cost. The average price for lamps is two hundred rubles. The cost depends on the design of the device, its size and manufacturer. Over time, LEDs will become more accessible to the public.

Water meters and energy-saving light bulbs will reduce your costs by 4-5 times. About whether it is profitable to install solar panels in Russia, what services the housing and communal services impose and how to refuse them, read the material of the Moscow 24 portal.

Saving on light bulbs

Energy-saving light bulbs work on the principle of fluorescent lamps, the so-called tube. The service life of one light bulb is about 7 thousand hours, while incandescent lamps, or Ilyich's bulbs, serve only 1 thousand hours.

An incandescent lamp costs about 15 rubles apiece, an energy-saving lamp costs 150 rubles. At first glance, the benefit is not obvious, but let's imagine that the tariff for light is 3 rubles per 1 kW, and Ilyich's light bulb "burns" 700 kW during its service life. It turns out that you will pay 2.1 thousand rubles for the light of one lamp.

An energy-saving lamp "burns" 168 kW over its service life, that is, you will pay 504 rubles for the light of one such bulb, and this is 4 times cheaper than using an incandescent lamp.

Water meters

Photo: portal of the mayor and government of Moscow

In the absence of water meters at a rate of 25.61 per 1 cubic meter and a standard of 6.935 cubic meters per person per month, you will pay 177.6 rubles. This is 2131 rubles per year. Only for cold water.

Hot water per person is 4.75 cubic meters at a rate of 111.44 rubles, that is, for hot water you pay 528.78 rubles per month and 6345 rubles per year. It turns out that for a year without meters for hot and cold water, according to the established standards of MGUP Mosvodokanal, you will pay 8476 rubles.

For a year without meters for hot and cold water you will pay 8476 rubles, with meters - 1704 rubles.

With water meters, this amount is much less: about 90 rubles per month for cold water and 52 rubles for hot water. Total 1704 rubles per year.

However, the cost of two meters for two indicators must also be taken into account: this is about 3,000 rubles, but the costs of them quickly pay off - in about a year.

Dishwasher

This not only saves money, but also saves time. One washing and drying cycle of the dishwasher is approximately two hours. But during this time, she will wash nine sets of dishes or four sets and pots and pans. A person will spend 30-40 minutes on this. But the same time you can spend with your family or go in for sports, for example.

When it comes to saving water and, as a result, saving money, when using a dishwasher, it is spent ten times less than when washing dishes by hand. When washing dishes by hand, you spend approximately 75 liters of hot water and 35 liters of cold.

A dishwasher uses only 10 liters of cold water for a similar amount of dishes.

Class A washing machine

Most washing machines take on the maximum amount of water possible, and with the "smart" mode, which class A machines have, the amount of water depends on the weight of the laundry. For example, washing 6 kg of cotton items will require 50 liters of water, and a quick wash of 2 kg clothes will require 36 liters of water.

Therefore, it is more profitable to take a washing machine with a large drum volume, since the more laundry is washed at a time, the more efficient each wash and the less water and electricity consumption.

Solar panels

Installing solar panels on the balcony or on the roof of the house is quite an expensive pleasure. For example, in one of the capital's residential buildings there was such a solar system worth 300 thousand rubles.

Savings from the use of batteries, according to residents, are about 70 thousand rubles. At the same time, the payback of the solar system will be approximately five years, that is, only after the payback period, the batteries will begin to bring real benefits to the residents of the house.

Today, the cost of 1 kW of electricity is 5.3 rubles. Let's say you spend 150 kW a month while living in a two-room apartment. This is 795 rubles a month and 9.5 thousand rubles a year.

Therefore, the question of real savings from solar panels remains open.

Solar phone charger

Solar energy can also be used more locally, for example, to charge a phone or laptop. Note that if you connect the phone to a power outlet, then the electricity consumption will be 2.75 watts per hour. This is quite insignificant: for a year you can "load" a maximum of 60 rubles.

And you can buy a battery with a solar panel and adapters for different devices for 750 rubles and no longer think about where you can charge your phone.

The imposition of housing and communal services

Antenna

The fee for the use of a collective television antenna is included in your apartment bills by default. Few people know that this imposed service, for which Muscovites, by the way, pay 204 rubles a month, can be refused.

What should be done

To turn off the antenna, you need to take a certificate from the EIRC (Unified Information and Settlement Center) about the absence of debt on payment for the antenna. Then call Mostelecom by phone and leave a request to turn off the antenna, and when the master comes, show him a certificate of no debt.

After that, the wizard will turn off the antenna and give you another certificate that the antenna is turned off. And already with a new piece of paper, you again need to reach the EIRC. Everything is simple!

radio point

The presence of radio points in residential buildings is a mandatory requirement of building codes, and the absence of such radio points is a gross violation. For this service we pay 72 rubles a month.

How to stop paying

In order to refuse this service and not pay for it, you need to write an application at the My Documents public services center.

You must come to the MFC with a passport. The specialist will give you an application and a receipt for 60 rubles (yes, you will also have to pay for disconnection). There will be no more accruals in your receipts.