GE announced production of Energy Smart LED bulbs

GE Lighting’s new Energy Smart LED bulb – a 40-watt replacement is expected to consume just 9 watts, provide a 77 percent energy savings and produce nearly the same light output as a 40-watt incandescent bulb, while lasting more than 25 times as long. GE will put prototypes of the bulb on display at two upcoming trade shows: Light + Building 2010 in Frankfurt, Germany, and LightFair 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

GE scientists and engineers designed the bulb to better direct light downward on the intended surface and all around, not just out the top of a lampshade, as most current LED bulbs are prone to do. The new GE LED bulb offers 450 lumens. Currently available LED bulbs produce 350 lumens or less.

“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.”

Aside its expected low consumption, it is also expected to have 25,000-hour rated life – which is 25 times longer than a general service 40-watt incandescent or halogen bulb and more than 3 times longer than a standard 8,000-hour rated life CFL. It will contain no mercury and will be RoHS compliant, and it will feel cooler to the touch than CFLs and far cooler than incandescent bulbs.

They announced it will be available later this year or early 2011. Retailers will be responsible for the bulb price, but it is expected to be $40 to $50.

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