New 'flat' light bulb that lasts 22 YEARS is as bright as a traditional 60W one (and will save you £80)
·Bulb lasts ten times longer than its energy-saving halogen counterpart
·The SlimStyle bulb has the same brightness as a traditional 60W bulb
·It doesn't flicker and people no longer have to wait for the bulb to 'warm up'
·It will be sold in the U.S. for less than $10 (£6) and could come to the UK
·Philips claims it will save up to $136.13 (£82) in energy costs for life of bulb
By SARAH GRIFFITHS
PUBLISHED: 10:52, 3 January 2014 | UPDATED: 11:58, 3 January 2014
The days of fumbling in the dark to replace a light bulb could soon be a thing of the past - or at least a very rare occurrence - thanks to a new innovation.
A new style of light bulb that is flatter, more energy efficient and lasts over 22 years is set to go on sale.
Philips’ SlimStyle light bulb promises a comparable brightness to a 60W incandescent bulb instantly - with no annoying wait for the bulb to ‘warm up’.
The Dutch electronics manufacturer said the improvement to energy efficient light bulbs, which are often criticised for being more expensive and duller than classic filament bulbs, is down to advances in light emitting diodes (LEDS),
The diodes are currently used in TV and computer screens.
Philips believes its LED innovation will replace incandescent bulbs in the coming years and even overtake energy-efficient halogen bulbs.
The light bulb is set to go on sale this month in the U.S. for less than $10 (£6) and come over to the UK and other countries if sales are successful.
A bulb is estimated to last for 22.8 years if used for for 2.7 hrs every day, with the lifetime of a lamp said to be 25,000 hours.
Todd Manegold, Director of LED lamps marketing at Philips, told The Times that the flat bulbs have been made to look like conventional light bulbs as ‘people don’t want something that looks wildly different’ in their lampshade.
‘But what you can do within the outline - that’s what we were trying to challenge - how people look at lighting,’ he said.
The LEDs in the SlimStyle bulb are built into plastic, making the bulb less likely to break.
It also consumes far less energy than traditional light bulbs, according to Philips.
The company believes LED light bulbs will make up 80 per cent of all bulbs sold by 2020, especially as the cost of the technology is predicted to decrease.
Existing LED bulbs last for around 10,000 hours, while a halogen light bulb lasts on average 1,000 hours and Phillips claims the lifespan of the SlimStyle bulb is 25,000 hours.
Philips claims the bulb saves up to $136.13 in energy costs when a person replaces a 60 watt incandescent with this 10.5 watt LED light bulb over its lifetime.
Mr Manegold said: ‘If someone really steps back to think about it, they will realise they will save money over time in electric bills.’
SLIMSTYLE BULB FEATURES
Long-lasting: Philips claims the bulb lasts 22.8 years.
Familiar: Despite the use of new LED technology, the bulb is a similar shape and size to a standard light bulb and fits current fittings.
Cuts energy costs: The company claims the bulb saves up to $136.13 in energy costs over its lifetime when compared with a 60 watt incandescent bulb.
Instantly on: There is no waiting for the light to get to its full brightness, like some current energy efficient light bulbs and no flickering either.
Dimmable: The bulb can be used with dimmer to provide a soft light.
Better quality light: The bulb produces white light similar to an incandescent bulb
