Royal Philips Electronics has announced that it will continue its independent efforts to phase-out incandescent light bulbs in the GCC.

After Philips’ 100-watt and higher phase-out of energy inefficient light bulbs in September 2010, the company decided to discontinue and replace the 75-watt incandescent lamps as of January 2012, with energy-efficient alternatives like compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), energy-saving halogens and LED bulbs.

Philips invented the energy saving light bulb in 1980, and continued to develop energy efficient lighting solutions as a proof-point of their efforts and commitment to sustainability and the environment, a statement from the company said.

Lighting accounts for 19 percent of the world's electricity consumption, where up to 90 percent of the energy used through an incandescent light bulb is wasted as heat. 

However, approximately 80 percent savings can be made by simply converting from traditional conventional lamps to energy saving ones, it said.

In the GCC alone, switching all residential lighting to energy efficient solutions will reduce a tremendous amount of CO2 emissions yearly.

With this switch, consumers will not only preserve the environment but also be able to save on their electricity bills without compromising on the quality of light, instead, creating the perfect ambiance at home.

“Homes are currently dominated by incandescent bulbs, and approximately two third of the world’s lighting solutions in use are based on old, less energy efficient technologies”, says Paolo Cervini, general manager of Philips Lighting, Middle East & Turkey. “Making a switch to energy efficient lighting solutions is simple and easy, with a remarkable effect.”

“Philips is aware that significant savings can be made in terms of energy consumption, carbon emission and costs by switching to energy efficient solutions, therefore, we continue our unilateral phase-out of incandescent lamps and simultaneously educate the public through different initiatives on the benefits of the switch,” he added.

Compact fluorescent energy savers are up to five times more efficient than incandescent lamps, as they need around five times less energy to generate the same amount of light, the statement said.

Philips CFLs lasts an average of eight times longer than incandescent lamps, needing less frequent replacements. The Philips Genie 14W which can be used as an alternative to the incandescent 75-watt light bulb is an ultra-efficient lamp which saves up to 80 percent energy and has a lifetime of 8,000 hours. – TradeArabia News Service