100W Incandescent LED Replacement Nears

[xcel]

GE 27W LED packs a punch into an area of the market left with few choices.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - May 7, 2012

Earlier today GE Lighting released news on an extraordinary LED replacement for the home. This coming Wednesday, GE plans to “light off” a 27W light-emitting diode (LED) replacement for the 100W incandescent bulb at LIGHTFAIR International in Las Vegas.

The GE Energy Smart 27W LED bulb incorporates proprietary synthetic jet technology that was enabled by GE’s collaboration with ecomagination Challenge winner Nuventix, creator of LED cooling technologies for energy-efficient lighting.

GE states that their upcoming 27W LED will be on store shelves in the U.S. and Canada beginning in the first half of 2013 (MSRP to be determined and expect it to be big $$$’s). This announcement is a follow on to what they have been providing over the last few years including their 13W LED (60W incandescent replacement) and 9W LED (40W incandescent replacement), which was the first incandescent-shaped (A-19) LED in the world to earn ENERGY STAR qualification.

New LED bulb performance metrics

GE testing confirms 100-watt incandescent replacement metrics: 1,600+ lumens, uniform omnidirectional light distribution, 3000K color temperature, 25,000-hour life rating (22.8 years at 3 hours per day), dimmable, no mercury, instant full brightness and 60+ lumens per watt—all fitting neatly in the standard A-19 bulb shape.

Steve Briggs, GM of LED Systems, GE Lighting:

“We now have a clear path to attaining even higher light levels, which will give customers more energy-efficient lighting options in both commercial and residential settings.”

LEDs are semiconductors that produce light and must be cooled to ensure long life. In collaboration with GE, Nuventix developed a method for moving air to cool LEDs using an oscillating membrane, called a synthetic jet (an alternative to a fan), which fits within the envelope of the bulb.

Incorporate the synthetic jet enabled GE to leapfrog its competitors allowing it to skip the 75W incandescent replacement to provide a true energy efficient 100W replacement.

GE Energy Smart LED bulb features

All including the upcoming 100W replacement are said to offer smooth, incandescent-like dimming, minus the stepped dimming, flicker, shimmer, pop-on, drop-off or even inaction that plague other LED bulbs touting a dimming capability. GE’s LED bulbs also feature an aesthetically pleasing incandescent size and shape, and a design that allows for a soft-white appearance when turned off, a consumer preference that GE discovered through market research.

Who would have thought and like the 9 and 13W LEDs, prices should come down relatively quickly so by the summer of 2014, it may be time to retire some of those older 100W bulbs and replace them with new 27W GE LED drop ins.

[chilimac02]

I bet those things are close to 100 bucks a pop when they come out. I'll wait 2-3 years like I did on HDTV's.

[RedylC94]

How many dB of noise does that "oscillating membrane" make? ... At what frequency?

It doesn't appear to me to offer sufficient advantages to justify the cost.

[Jay]

The efficacy doesn't sound too impressive at only 60 lumens/w. I just had a look at Cree's offerings for the same purpose and they are quite a bit more efficient. Electricity is the most expensive part of a bulb--not just the operating cost but the cost to remove the heat in warm months. Despite this, LED is a tough sell because it's hard to encourage folks to do the math.

I just thought of a new career if LED bulbs take off in a big way: lightbulb repairman.

[RichXKU]

Originally Posted by xcel

GE plans to “light off” a 27W light-emitting diode (LED) replacement for the 100W incandescent bulb at LIGHTFAIR International in Las Vegas.

But a 100w equiv. CFL bulb only uses 23 watts.

[300TTto545]

Pretty bad efficiency for an LED. But there isn't an option at that lumen level right now.

I wonder why?

[msirach]

Originally Posted by RichXKU

But a 100w equiv. CFL bulb only uses 23 watts.

I agree their numbers do not look right. I highly prefer GE cfl's over the other brands, but the GE LED's that I have tried so far have failed like the others. If I were to buy a $$$ LED, I would try the Cree. In flashlights, the Cree technology is far superior.

[wick1ert]

Originally Posted by msirach

I agree their numbers do not look right. I highly prefer GE cfl's over the other brands, but the GE LED's that I have tried so far have failed like the others. If I were to buy a $$$ LED, I would try the Cree. In flashlights, the Cree technology is far superior.

I agree on the flashlights with CREE technology. I have at least 3 of them.

I have some sylvania and some ecosmart LED floods in recessed cans at home, and haven't had any issues with them after over 12 months (not a long time frame, I know). They are between the 40-65 watt equivalent. They aren't on to often, and I suspect if they meet their expected life rating in terms of hours, will probably out last me lol.

I also can agree with the heat that gets put out by the LEDs, like the poster about his bike light. If I use my flashlights on the HIGH setting, they can get pretty warm, and that was in the winter when I was walking after dark. I can only imagine when ambient temps are 60 degrees higher, what it would feel like. I currently have 2 LED bike lights (not yet used - haven't been able to take the bike out due to other obligations), so I will probably put both on it and run them on a lower setting.

[Indigo]

Is there a problem with LED lights getting really dim after 2-3 years?

[msirach]

Yes. I had one 1 watt that I put in a decorative lamp and left it on for 30 days. I took it out because it was putting out less light than a birthday candle.