Philips has recently submitted its new SlimStyle LED to Energy Star for qualification. It is designed to meet or exceed Energy Star standards, using just 10.5 watts to give off 800 lumens. However, the real story in the design of the bulb is its shape. It is flat with a string of LEDs in the shape of a horseshoe at its core that arcs out from the base of the bulb. Philips claims the shape is designed to do a better job of dispersing heat and eliminates the need for weighty aluminum heat sinks.
Without the heat sinks, the light should cost appreciably less to manufacture but the company has yet to disclose a pricing point on the bulb. A low cost as well as energy saving would make the odd shaped bulb very compelling. If you live in a region that offers energy rebates, you can expect additional savings. A rumored price of “around $9 apiece,” would drop your cost to as low as $3 after energy rebates – cheaper than traditional bulbs. Giving off a warm, soft white tone, the SlimStyle LED glows at a color temperature of 2,700K.
The SlimStyle is slightly more natural when compared to Cree’s 60-watt replacement LED, a bulb with similar stats, less yellowy in tone. Although both bulbs claim to be omnidirectional, the flat shape of the SlimStyle does produce dim areas on the sides of its horseshoe shape that some people may find distracting.
Cree also offers an industry-leading 10-year warranty, while Philips offers three years of limited coverage. SlimStyle’s price point will obviously make the difference to most consumers. The Cree bulb retails for $12.97; if Philips can manufacture the bulb much more cheaply, without the heat sinks, it stands to capture a significant percentage of the market.
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Light Switch (http://www.lightswitch.co.uk/light-bulbs) offers a large variety of LED lamps that are at the forefront of new technology. With new innovative systems that deliver the light output of a traditional lamp but with the efficiency of LED.
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