Dec 17 2009
Royal Philips Electronics ( PHG, AEX: PHI) today announced that it will light both the world-famous Times Square Ball and Numerals (2-0-1-0) entirely with energy saving LEDs for the first time. Celebrating its tenth year as the official Lighting Partner to the Times Square Ball, Philips also announced that it has made the same LED technology used in the New York City icon available to consumers by releasing a broad range of high-performing, energy efficient and long life LED retrofit bulbs.
Following its historic conversion of the Times Square Ball's light source from incandescent and halogen bulbs to high-power LUXEON LED technology in 2007-2008, Philips has commemorated its ten-year association with the Times Square Ball this holiday season by converting the light source in the Times Square Ball Numerals to all LED technology as well. With this initiative, Philips has completed the final step in its conversion of the entire Times Square Ball application to a powerful, energy efficient, and highly sustainable LED platform.
And now, the same investment in solid state lighting that Philips has brought to the Times Square Ball is enabling consumers to enjoy comfortable, white-light LED replacements for incandescent bulbs for a broad range of residential lighting applications while significantly reducing energy consumption and costs and greatly enhancing environmental sustainability.
The Philips AmbientLED PAR 30 Longneck, a consumer version of the LED bulb used to light the Times Square Ball Numerals, is now available. Ideal for recessed lighting applications and consuming just 11 watts, the Philips AmbientLED uses 78 percent less energy than the 50 watt halogen bulbs it replaces, delivers over 400 lumens of light output, and has a rated average life of 25,000 hours. Philips' new consumer line also includes a wide variety of other LED flood, spot, and candle bulbs that can be used in a broad range of popular recessed, track, and accent lighting applications in the home.
Often described as the "future of lighting," LED technology offers the benefits of bright color, outstanding energy efficiency, long life, and minimal maintenance. Philips' conversion of the light source within both the Times Square Ball and Numerals from incandescent and halogen bulbs to LED technology has helped to significantly elevate the brightness and impact of these global icons while reducing their energy draw by over 80 percent.
"LEDs are a rapidly-emerging technology which hold great promise for reducing global energy consumption, and we are delighted to be able to use our global expertise to help upgrade the Times Square Ball and showcase an exciting new era in lighting technology to the world," said Ed Crawford, CEO, Philips Lighting North America.
"However, global icons such as the Times Square Ball are not the only applications that can enjoy the benefits of LED technology. With our mission to enhance people's lives with light, we have launched a broad line of Philips LED retrofit bulbs so that consumers can now experience the brightness, energy efficiency, and long life characteristics of LEDs in the comfort of their own homes."