New hybrid halogen-CFLs from GE Lighting, specialist in lighting systems and services for residential, commercial and industrial use, have been designed specifically for home applications.
The light bulbs possess the characteristics of three lighting technologies. They are energy efficient and have longer operating life. The hardware, big box and retail stores across the nation will be illuminated by Reveal and Energy Smart Soft White hybrid bulbs from GE by Earth Day 2011 on April 22.
Hybrid Halogen-CFL
A method has been found by GE engineers to place an instantly bright halogen element within the swirl of a CFL placed inside an incandescent-shaped glass bulb. The halogen element preserves the bulb’s energy-efficiency by turning off immediately when the hybrid-CFL reaches to full intensity.
GE Lighting’s General Manager of consumer marketing, Kristin Gibbs said that though the bulb has an incandescent appearance in shape and size, it is actually an integration of three bulbs into one. The instant brightness feature of the hybrid CFL bulbs makes them more versatile when compared to other CFLs. The bulbs are ideal for bathrooms, hallways, kitchens, stairways or any places that require instant brightness.
The lifetime of the hybrid CFLs is 8,000 h, which is eight times more than the incandescent bulbs. They have low mercury levels, while current CFLs have mercury levels ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 mg.