Mercury-Free Energy Efficient Lighting From Vu1

Posted on 21. Sep, 2009 by Ross in New Technologies

Almost as quickly as they emerged, the new energy-efficient lighting technologies of compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) may already have become redundant, according to a Seattle-based lighting company.

Vu1 is creating a range of new lighting systems using a process it calls Electron Stimulated Luminesence. As well as providing a superior light quality to rival technologies, especially against the poor lighting quality of LED lighting, ESL lights contain absolutely no mercury: a highly poisonous compound which makes CFL bulb disposal more dangerous, as well as risking health in the household from broken light bulbs. The presence of mercury in CFL bulbs is one of the primary factors behind households abstaining from their use.

Vu1 is continuing development of its revolutionary ESL technology in order to bring consumers a highly energy-efficient light bulb, without the environmental hazards of mercury, limited features, price concerns and poor light quality associated with other lighting sources such as Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) or Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). More than 30 countries worldwide, including the United States, have looming timelines to ban the incandescent bulb (some beginning in 2009), in order to reduce the global warming impacts and wasted energy in favor of new energy-efficient lighting options. Europe recently introduced the first stage of a total ban of incandescent lighting, with all incandescent bulbs to be phased out by 2012.

Whilst Vu1 may well have found the future of household lighting, Somar International Ltd continue to help businesses make huge strides forward in reducing their energy bills with their energy-saving Somar Eluma lighting system. Through a combination of advanced photometric design and intelligent sensors, Somar Eluma is the most efficient commercial and industrial light fitting on the market, with most return on investment periods between 12-24 months. For more information on how Eluma can save your company money, energy and carbon, you should visit the Somar Eluma website here.