GE Sends Energy-Efficient Valentine to U.S. Consumers

• Incandescent halogen bulbs offer up to 22% greater efficiency than century-old incandescent bulb
• GE gives U.S. consumers another option in the lighting aisle

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--U.S. consumers shopping for light bulbs this Valentine’s Day and in the coming months may notice changes on retail store shelves: fewer incandescent bulbs and a wider selection of energy-efficient incandescent halogen bulbs. GE Lighting offers a light bulb that looks like the century-old and beloved incandescent bulb, produces nearly the same light output but operates up to 22 percent more efficiently.

“A bulb that uses less energy costs less to run”

Today, U.S. consumers can find GE’s incandescent halogen bulbs—clear and Reveal® clear versions (MSRP $5-$7)—nationwide in two-packs in 29-, 43-, 53- and 72-watt varieties that dim and turn on instantly like their 40-, 60-, 75- and 100-watt incandescent bulb cousins that are phasing out of production between 2012 and 2014 as a result of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (learn more at www.gelighting.com/2012). The rated life of the new halogen bulbs is 1,000 hours, the same as or longer than incandescent bulbs, and the light output in lumens—a measure of brightness— comes in at 430 for the 29-watt (vs. 490 for a 40-watt incandescent), 750 for the 43-watt (vs. 840 for a 60-watt incandescent), 1050 for the 53-watt (vs. 1190 for a 75-watt incandescent) and 1490 for the 72-watt (vs. 1690 for a 100-watt incandescent).

“A bulb that uses less energy costs less to run,” says John Strainic, global product general manager, GE Lighting. “Halogen is an incandescent technology with a big efficiency advantage over standard incandescent bulbs. Each of the bulbs in this line-up consumes fewer watts than the incandescent bulbs we’ve all used for decades, while delivering a precise dimming capability and a bright, crisp light.”

Incandescent halogen technology as an option for consumers

GE has produced incandescent halogen spotlights and general service light bulbs for accent and general lighting for many years. The technology is in the spotlight now more than ever because governments around the world have instituted new laws that set higher efficiency levels for lighting. The greater efficiency of GE’s incandescent halogen bulbs enable them to comply with the lighting efficiency laws on the horizon in the U.S. and globally.

Soft white and standard Reveal versions (two-packs, MSRP $4-$6) of all the incandescent halogen wattages will become available the second half of 2011.

The incandescent phase out is a global trend that’s already underway in Australia, the European Union, Argentina, the Philippines and Russia (visit http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/what-you-need-to-know/lighting/faqs/details-of-the-phaseout.aspx for information on the conversion underway since 2009 in Australia). Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Independence_and_Security_Act_of_2007 for a Wikipedia review of the U.S. legislation.

About GE – Appliances & Lighting

GE – Appliances & Lighting spans the globe as an industry leader in major appliances, lighting, systems and services for commercial, industrial and residential use. Technology innovation and the company's ecomagination^SM initiative enable GE – Appliances & Lighting to aggressively bring to market products and solutions that help customers meet pressing environmental challenges. General Electric (NYSE: GE), imagination at work, sells products under the Monogram®, Profile™, GE®, Hotpoint®, Reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Tetra®, Vio™ and Immersion® commercial brands. For more information, consumers may visit www.ge.com.

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