Yes, this is broadly in line with my observations of the market. LED lamps have a great future in their own right, but they do not fare well as plug-in replacements.  Mercury fluorescent tubes have been around for a while now, but still compare favourably on efficiency and can be classed as "energy saving". (Oldie but goody!  Like lead-acid batteries, which we have discussed recently)


I was considering LED tubes as plug-in replacement for mercury-fluorescent for various places but found that a 1·5 m (5 ft) LED tube has a claimed output of circa 3 000 lumens (about the same as a 1·2 m (4 ft) mercury fluorescent in fact) against circa 4 500 for a mercury fluorescent 58 W tube. So if you do a straight replacement to LED tube, you will certainly save electricity but I think you will be disappointed with the light output. The LED tubes will be more directional in light output but I don't think this will compensate.


Fluorescent tube light output does drop off as the tube ages. You could simply replace the tubes with new mercury fluorescent. Or even replace the fittings with 1·5 m (5 ft) ones. The fittings usually have mercury fluorescent tube included, so you would enjoy lots of light.


Digressing slightly, I have been making some similar comparisons of MR16 halogen reflector lamps, and their LED GU10 plug-in replacements. Watch this space!

Yes, this is broadly in line with my observations of the market. LED lamps have a great future in their own right, but they do not fare well as plug-in replacements.  Mercury fluorescent tubes have been around for a while now, but still compare favourably on efficiency and can be classed as "energy saving". (Oldie but goody!  Like lead-acid batteries, which we have discussed recently)


I was considering LED tubes as plug-in replacement for mercury-fluorescent for various places but found that a 1·5 m (5 ft) LED tube has a claimed output of circa 3 000 lumens (about the same as a 1·2 m (4 ft) mercury fluorescent in fact) against circa 4 500 for a mercury fluorescent 58 W tube. So if you do a straight replacement to LED tube, you will certainly save electricity but I think you will be disappointed with the light output. The LED tubes will be more directional in light output but I don't think this will compensate.


Fluorescent tube light output does drop off as the tube ages. You could simply replace the tubes with new mercury fluorescent. Or even replace the fittings with 1·5 m (5 ft) ones. The fittings usually have mercury fluorescent tube included, so you would enjoy lots of light.


Digressing slightly, I have been making some similar comparisons of MR16 halogen reflector lamps, and their LED GU10 plug-in replacements. Watch this space!