Washington:
An expensive but prize-winning light-emitting diode (LED) light bulb that lasts for 20 years went on sale in the US on Sunday which is marked as Earth Day.
The bulb swaps filaments for light-emitting diodes to provide a pleasing and natural-looking light.
Using LEDs endows the light with a long life and a hefty price tag.
The first versions are set to cost $60.However, media reports say Dutch electronics giant Philips, the maker of the bulb, has arranged discounts with shops that will sell it for only $20.
The bulb triumphed in the Bright Tomorrow competition run by the US Department of Energy (DoE) that aimed to find an energy efficient alternative to the 60-watt incandescent light bulb.
The DoE challenged firms to develop a design that gave out a warm light similar to that from an incandescent bulb but was much more energy efficient.
LED bulbs face competition from compact fluorescent lights which are almost as energy efficient and cost a lot less.
Production of 100 watt bulbs has ceased in the US and Europe.
Production of 60 watt bulbs has been stopped in Europe and is being phased out in the US.
From 2014, incandescent bulbs of 40 watts or above will be banned in the US.
The bulb swaps filaments for light-emitting diodes to provide a pleasing and natural-looking light.
Using LEDs endows the light with a long life and a hefty price tag.
The first versions are set to cost $60.However, media reports say Dutch electronics giant Philips, the maker of the bulb, has arranged discounts with shops that will sell it for only $20.
The bulb triumphed in the Bright Tomorrow competition run by the US Department of Energy (DoE) that aimed to find an energy efficient alternative to the 60-watt incandescent light bulb.
The DoE challenged firms to develop a design that gave out a warm light similar to that from an incandescent bulb but was much more energy efficient.
LED bulbs face competition from compact fluorescent lights which are almost as energy efficient and cost a lot less.
Production of 100 watt bulbs has ceased in the US and Europe.
Production of 60 watt bulbs has been stopped in Europe and is being phased out in the US.
From 2014, incandescent bulbs of 40 watts or above will be banned in the US.
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