New LED Bulb Meets Consumer Demand

DURHAM, N.C. — Green building experts no longer have to worry about convincing consumers to switch to LED lighting, as Durham-based Cree Inc. recently launched an LED bulb that is affordable and shines as bright as comparable incandescent bulbs while saving 84 percent of the energy that traditional bulbs use.

“The Cree LED light bulb was designed to offer consumers a no-compromise lighting experience at a compelling price,” said Chuck Swoboda, Cree chairman and CEO, in a statement. “Over the last couple of years, we recognized that the consumer is instrumental in the adoption of LED lighting, but we needed to give them a reason to switch. We believe this breakthrough LED bulb will, for the first time, give consumers a reason to upgrade the billions of energy-wasting light bulbs.”

The bulb is illuminated using Cree LED Filament Tower Technology, providing a compact optically balanced light source within a real glass bulb. It is shaped more like a traditional light bulb, without the common LED-light corkscrew shape; will fit most light fixtures; and is easily dimmable with most standard incandescent dimmers. Designed to last 25,000 hours, the new bulb will shine 25 times longer than the average light bulb.

“The LED bulb is dimmable, has no mercury, lasts longer than a CFL bulb, turns on instantly and is energy efficient; it looks and lights like an incandescent bulb and is definitely the future in lighting technology,” said Sandra Weeks, CEO of Niwot, Colo.-based Blue Spruce Design and Construction.

Cree bulbs have a retail price of $9.97 for the warm white 40-watt replacement, $12.97 for the 60-watt warm white replacement and $13.97 for the 60-watt light. If consumers replace the incandescent bulbs with the new Cree ones, the company predicts that consumers can save about $61 per year on electric bills.

Cree’s 40-watt incandescent replacement bulb delivers 450 lumens, consumes only 6 watts and is available in a warm white (2700K) color temperature; the 60-watt delivers 800 lumens, consumes only 9.5 watts and is available in warm white color temperature, as well as daylight color temperature (5000K).

The Cree LED bulbs have a 10-year limited warranty and are sold exclusively at The Home Depot.