New Bulb on the Block

A new LED bulb is now available for sale online! Royal Philips Electronics has just released a 17-watt LED bulb that equals to a 75-watt-equivalent incandescent bulb. The innovative bulb uses a whopping 80% less electricity than incandescents and lasts 24 times longer. In fact, the bulb has a lifespan of 25,000 hours.

Want it now? Well, the 17-watt LED bulb is exclusively available for $39.97 on HomeDepot.com. If you want a cheaper alternative, Phillips also already sells a 60-watt equivalent LED that is currently priced at $20.

As the U.S. approaches the 2014 deadline banning the sale of incandescent light bulbs, many consumers are getting more and more interested in LED lighting. Cost-effective and energy-saving, LEDs promise better deals in the long run since they last for several years, some as long as 17 years.

What do you think of this hot new product? Will you go out and get these bulbs yourself or think they are too expensive? Share your comments below.

House Plans to Overturn Bulb Ban

While the bulb ban has excited many environmentalists and LED lighting enthusiasts, many are not so happy about it. And, it’s just not consumers stuck on the traditional incandescent light bulbs that don’t favor the change. Apparently, the U.S. House of Representatives are not entirely crazy about the energy saving plan. The House is voting to end the rules on President Bush’s Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The Act set efficiency standards for light bulbs at 45 lm/W or more, which essentially eliminates use of conventional incandescent light bulbs. According to the ban, the only incandescent light bulbs that could be used are halogen-based incandescents.

The House Republicans insist that U.S. consumers should have the option to buy any type of bulb they want, especially the incandescent light bulb, which is both reliable and inexpensive.

To thwart the energy efficiency standards of the ban, Representative Joe Barton (R-Texas) introduced the Better Use of Light Act (BULB) Act on July 6. The BULB Act cancels Subtitle B of Title III of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which declares the performance standards for light bulbs.

Barton argues that the government is out of bounds with the 2007 Ban: “The unanticipated consequence of the ’07 act — Washington-mandated layoffs in the middle of a desperate recession — is one of many examples of what happens when politicians and activists think they know better than consumers and workers.”

How about you? What do you think? Well, if you’re rooting for the energy efficient ban, you don’t have to throw in the towel yet. The BULB Act will still need two-thirds majority to pass. On the other side of all this are the Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee, who are pushing to oppose the bill.

Share your thoughts about this story below.

PRIMA LIGHTING’S 14th ANNIVERSARY CATALOG RELEASED!

Highlights include NEW Mini-LED Wall Washer
NEW Super Thin LED Recessed / Puck Light

The wait is finally over! PRIMA Lighting’s 14^th Anniversary Catalog is now available!

This completely re-designed catalog includes multiple installation photos from our recent and past projects. Fine quality images and high definition 3D rendering present you the best of each fixture. It also features our new System Compatibility Indicators, distinctive icons that will help you identify the various elements of each fixture:

Our new catalog focuses on our latest products and innovations. You’ll be excited to know a wide variety of new extensions from our current product families have recently joined the line-up: new Italian glass, LED Recessed Lighting, bendable line voltage track… everything was uniquely designed and built to the “PRIMA” standard.

Mini-LED Wall Washer

The combination of ultra-low consumption and high-output LED modular units are now available on PRIMA’s Mini-LED Wall Washer. This amazing product is ideal for PRIMA’s Minirail track system, a sleek and low-profile track system perfect under kitchen cabinets, bookshelves, and jewelry display cases.

The Mini-LED Wall Washer is available in both adjustable and fixed styles. They come in 24 or 48 LED, fully dimmable when combined with PRIMA dimmable transformer and low-voltage magnetic dimmer.

Super Thin LED Recessed / Puck Light

1.46-inch diameter, 0.63-inch thickness, the new SUPER THIN LED Recessed/Puck Lighting highlights the best of PRIMA’s amazing collection of LED fixtures. Fits under most cabinet fixtures, this versatile lighting system is offered in both recessed and puck styles. With only 1.2W of power consumption, it is truly a brilliant innovation!