With many countries planning or having already implemented the phase out of incandescent bulbs, lighting company GE has unveiled a 40W equivalent Energy Smart LED bulb that consumes 9W, hence providing a 77 percent energy saving over its old-fashioned technological incandescent cousin. GE says the Energy Smart LED will produce nearly the same light output as a 40W bulb but will last 25 times longer. It is expected to be available to consumers later this year or early 2011.
While 40W doesn’t sound like a very bright light, the new LEDs have been designed by GE scientists and engineers to better direct light downward, and not just for use in lampshades and other low-light devices. The company hinted that many consumers are unimpressed with current LED bulbs that produce around 350 lumens. These LEDs will deliver 450 lumens, the equivalent of a 40W globe, which is the threshold to achieve the Energy Star rating the company has applied for.
“This is a bulb that can virtually light your kid's bedroom desk lamp from birth through high school graduation,” says John Strainic, global product general manager, GE Lighting. “It's an incredible advancement that's emblematic of the imagination and innovation that GE's applying to solve some of the world's biggest challenges.”
GE Energy Smart LED bulb is expected to consume just 9W - compared with 40W incandescent/halogen or 10W CFL, while delivering nearly the same light output. It’s also expected to last 25,000 hours, or 17 years if used for four hours per day.
The bulbs are manufactured with a durable solid-state design and no filament to break, they contain no mercury and will be RoHS compliant; and are cooler to the touch than CFLs and far cooler than incandescent bulbs.
“The introduction of high-quality retrofit light bulbs, like the GE Energy Smart LED bulb, is a key next step in the LED lighting revolution,” notes Norbert Hiller, Cree vice president and general manager, LED Components.
The bad news … the bulbs are expected to retail for between US$40-50, but that initial cost is more than offset by their long life.
US lighting facts/legislation
Starting in 2012 and continuing through 2014, standard incandescent light bulbs are being removed from sale as a result of US federal lighting efficiency standards. Also, 100W bulbs can no longer be made after January 2012; 75W bulbs cease in January 2013; and wave goodbye to 60W and 40W bulbs from January 2014.
Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore (AP),India
All the LED bulbs I\'ve looked at would be very poor for use in a floor lamp that has upwards pointing bulb sockets. They\'d light up the ceiling very well but cast little to no light down.
Those big fins (for cooling?) will make this GE bulb not fit any lamp with a shade that fits close to the bulb. Forget using this one in your ceiling fan or Victorian styled table/desk lamp or many bathroom mirror lamps.
The mandate is to eliminate 100w incandescent bulbs. It doesn\'t eliminate 100w-equivalent compact fluorescent bulbs, which last about 10x longer than incandescent or 40% as long as the LED and use only 26w. Although as Gary Fisher above writes, CFLs aren\'t a perfect solution either, thanks to their mercury content. Properly recycled, they\'re not a problem, but we all know that many people are too lazy to recycle or even avoid littering.
Until they can get these alternative bulbs to be under $2 each, I don\'t see them being a viable alternative! And don\'t forget about the lack of alternative styled bulbs...I cannot find Marquis style CFL bulbs for my bathroom, flame style CFL bulbs for my chandelier and these CFLs do nothing for my Lava Lamps!