General Electric has created new halogen compact fluorescent light bulbs, GE Reveal and GE Energy Smart Soft, that unlike typical fluorescents (CFLs), contain less mercury (only 1 milligram) and don’t take time to warm up, being more efficient.
These hybrid bulbs are composed of a halogen light that turns on almost instantly and when the CFL has reached its full brightness the bulb shuts off.
According to the company, the new light bulbs will come in two versions: 15-watt (60-watt incandescent equivalent) and 20-watt (75-watt equivalent), being available on the market by the beginning of 2011. GE also said that other sizes will become available later.
The hybrid halogen CFLs have an 8,000-hour lifespan, exactly like GE’s Soft White 14-watt CFL. A standard incandescent bulb has a 1,000-hour lifespan. The company has not yet made any statement regarding the price.
[via CNet]
