What You Need to Know About the Phase-Out of Incandescent Light Bulbs

On January 1, 2012, the incandescent light bulb has started becoming a thing of the past. These bulbs are being phased out as part of the Federal Security Act of 2007, otherwise known as the Energy Bill.  The goal of the Energy Bill is to encourage the use and technological development of more energy-efficient lighting alternatives. Common household bulbs that use between 40 and 100 watts will be mandated to use at least 27% less energy by 2014. Since traditional incandescent bulbs are not energy efficient enough to do this, manufacturers will be looking to new alternatives, such as LED lighting, to become the common household bulb of the future.

We’ve written about this phase out in the past, but want to re-visit the topic to make sure you, the consumer, know’s exactly what’s happening and what your options are. Over the course of the next two years, you’ll start to see these changes take place:

·         100-watt bulbs were the first to be phased out

·         75-watt bulbs will start a phase out in January of 2013

·         40-watt and 60-watt bulbs will start a phase out in January of 2014

The law mandating the phase out says that the bulbs can no longer be manufactured or imported after Jan. 1 but will let stores continue to sell them until stock runs out.

What does this mean for consumers?

LED Lighting is one of the options to take the place of the inefficient incandescent bulb for a few reasons:

1.       LED lighting is up to 75% more energy efficient, longer lasting and safer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

2.       The estimated cost per year of an LED light is $1.58 compared to $7.90 for a 60-watt incandescent bulb.

3.       LED lighting will last approximately 50,000 hours.

4.       LED’s are the most energy efficient and long lasting and come with dimmable options.

5.       Are best for your health, as they are mercury free, as well as other health benefits.

Another thing that will be different is the labeling. The new standard for measuring a bulb’s brightness will be “lumens”, not “watts”. To give you an idea of how lumens scale, a standard 60-watt incandescent bulb produces about 800 lumens.

Fortunately, New Tek Partners offers LED lighting solutions to counteract the negatives of owning incandescent bulbs. Our bulbs give off virtually no heat, meaning no wasted energy or risk of accidental burns. LED technology also does not utilize the wasteful filament that so often burns out in incandescent bulbs and causes frequent change outs.  In fact, we are so confident in our LED technology that we offer a 3 year warranty on all of our products.

New Tek Partners is an LED technology based company and our mission is to develop and produce high quality LED lighting products and provide alternative lighting solutions to our clients. Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions about how we can help you reduce your electric costs, as well as reduce your effect on the environment. Like our Facebook Page for helpful tips and info, lighting ideas, pictures, and much more!

Make the Switch to LED Lighting - Your Electric Bill Will Thank You

In today's economic state, people are looking for everything they can do that will help them save some of their hard earned money.  Whether you are looking to make drastic changes or just a few minor ones, there are ways you can save.  Reducing your electric bill is a great place to start and LED Lighting is part of that answer.  Not only will reducing your electric bill keep some money in your pocket, it will also help to reduce your carbon footprint on the earth!

But why is LED lighting so energy efficient?  What are the real differences between traditional incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs, and even halogen bulbs versus LED bulbs?

Pretty soon you won't be able to purchase incandescent light bulbs anymore.  In January 2012, the Energy Independence Security Act began phasing out production of general-purpose incandescent lightbulbs, starting with 100-watt bulbs.  Exceptions will be made for some incandescents, however, including 3-way, appliance, and ceiling fan bulbs.

Fortunately, the alternatives are more energy efficient, better for the environment, and provide similar - or better - light quality.

Let's take a look at the comparison of LED's vs. compact fluorescent vs. halogen.

LED
1. The estimated cost per year is $1.58 compared to $7.90 for a 60-watt incandescent bulb (keep in mind that currently there are no 100-watt equivalent LED bulbs on the market).
2. Will last approximately 25,000 hours
3. Are the most energy efficient and long lasting and come with dimmable options.
4. Are best for your health, as they are mercury free, as well as other health benefits.
5. They do cost more to purchase, but you make up for it in energy savings over the life of the bulb.

COMPACT FLUORESCENT
1. The estimated cost per year is $3.42 compared to $13.17 for a 100-watt incandescent bulb.
2. Will last approximately 10,000 hours
3. Are a cost-effective, energy saving solution.
4. Many color temperature options are available.
5. Do contain mercury and requires safe disposal.

HALOGEN
1. The estimated cost per year is $9.48 compared to $13.17 for a 100-watt incandescent bulb.
2. Will last approximately 1,000 hours.
3. Produces a high quality of light.
4. Give off a lot of heat.
5. Are not as energy efficient as CFL or LED.

Well there you have it, an actual comparison of the three lightbulb choices you have.  It seems pretty clear to us which bulbs you should choose!

New Tek Partners is an LED technology based company and our mission is to develop and produce high quality LED lighting products and provide alternative lighting solutions to our clients.  Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions about how we can help you reduce your electric costs, as well as reduce your effect on the environment.   Like our Facebook Page for free shipping on certain bulbs, helpful tips, lighting ideas, pictures, and much more!

The Uses for LED Lighting Technology are Endless; From Home to Business

We’ve seen how LED lighting can impact business directly; from lighting food, displays, and saving businesses money, the applications for LED’s in a business environment are endless.  The same can be said for LED lighting in the home; screw-in bulbs to outdoor flood packs.  The point is this: LED technology is versatile.  It can even be extended into more industrial environments, like warehouses, which serve as an important component of the business supply chain.  It might not be an application which consumers think of immediately, however this step in the process indirectly affects the prices that consumers pay for their goods.

Lighting is just a part of the new technologies and material handling procedures that the warehousing world is experiencing, but it’s also one of the most important.  Lighting is responsible for half to three quarters of a warehouse facility’s lighting needs.  Overhead lights are needed in loading areas for general illumination for better safety during loading procedures. Supplemental lights may also be needed to further improve illumination in certain cases.  At workstations low glare lights that enable office staff to comfortably read documents is needed. Good horizontal and vertical illumination is required for open storage areas as the aisles may be repeatedly reconfigured.

Similarly good lighting is needed in rack storage areas. Besides these, lighting levels in a warehouse depend on the activity pattern, space design (open or confined), age and visual acuity of workers and size of items.  LED lighting can be used in any of these areas of a warehouse and save on maintenance and energy costs.  In the long run, workers will be able to focus more on their job in a comfortable environment without worrying about lighting outages which render a particular area of the warehouse dark and unsafe.

New Tek Partners is an LED lighting company which produces commercial and industrial lighting solutions to cover a wide range of needs.  Their High/Low Bay LED lights produce at least a 60% energy savings and offer other options such as remote control, resistance to shock and vibration and a patented heat dissipation design.  These lights are perfect for warehouse applications and can benefit companies by saving money and benefit workers by creating a safer, and brighter, work environment.

New Tek Partners is an LED technology based company and our mission is to develop and produce high quality LED lighting products and provide alternative lighting solutions to our clients.  Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions about how we can help you reduce your electric costs, as well as reduce your effect on the environment.  Also connect with us on our Facebook Page.

LED Lighting – The Best Lighting Choice for Hospitals

Healthcare is one of the hottest topics heading into the New Year.  Hospitals worldwide are investing in energy efficient lighting to provide better patient care while saving in operating costs. 
LEDs are the best substitutes for incandescent globes and halogens and have very low maintenance cost, but high efficiency.  They not only provide a clearer, whiter light, which helps patients feel more at ease, but they also help lower operating costs for the hospital, allowing for that money to be better spent on front-line patient services such as medical supplies and staffing.  A recent report shows that sealed LED lighting units protect patients from harmful bacteria, while providing uniformly-distributed dimmable light. 

The long LED lifespan (estimated at 60,000 hours or seven years) also eliminates the need for routine bulb replacement, which stops harmful bacteria from being distributed into the atmosphere.  Using LED lighting in place of incandescent lighting can also lead to tax breaks, such as the Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction. 

Within the hospital itself, LED lighting can serve as an important component in different patient services.  MRI facilities require nonferrous lights because of the magnetic fields from the equipment.  Incandescent lighting tends to give off minute impurities that are affected by the high intensity magnetic field of the MRI.  This drastically reduces the life of the bulb.  Fluorescent lighting is not suitable either because of the noise artifacts generated in scans.  In comparison, LED lights are virtually unaffected by magnetic fields, provide no noise interference and last longer.  

LED lights are also dimmable, making them ideal for CT scan, ultrasound rooms and other places where adjustable lighting is needed.  LED bulbs and tubes are a great “assistant” for surgeons in operating rooms.  They deliver high quality light without high temperatures.  This allows for surgeons to view body tissue in its natural colors, while at the same time providing a safe environment for the patient. 

Not only does New Tek Partners have LED lighting solutions for home and office, they also provide optimal solutions for the healthcare industry.  The variety of bulbs, retrofit tube lights and flood lighting is perfect to fully equip a hospital inside and out.  Next time you are thinking about healthcare, consider how the proper lighting can impact your care.

New Tek Partners is an LED technology based company and our mission is to develop and produce high quality LED lighting products and provide alternative lighting solutions to our clients.  Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions about how we can help you reduce your electric costs, as well as reduce your effect on the environment.  Also connect with us on our Facebook Page.

Why You Should Use LED Lights on Your Christmas Tree

Nothing brings out the magic of the holidays like a dazzling display of Christmas lights covering your Christmas tree.  While traditional incandescent Christmas lights are still very popular, advances in technology over the past few years have improved the available selection.  The right kind of lighting is essential for your holiday décor and the Christmas tree is the most important centerpiece. 

Typically, trees are covered with cheap, garish incandescent string lighting.  With the recent emergence of LED technology, clearer and brighter solutions have emerged to take your decorating to the next level.  LED technology is known for being efficient and with your Christmas lights up all month long, it is the best solution to help you save money during the holidays.  Another factor to consider is safety; with lights up on your tree during the day and night, there is a risk of fire. 

LED bulbs, big and small, are known for being cool to the touch and producing a bright light without giving off excess heat.  LED lights that are classified for indoor use are also available to use on your tree and with the lifespan of LED lighting lasting up to 20-times longer, you can use and store these lights for years without having to purchase new lighting.  Apart from the benefits of LED technology, you can also be even more creative by using LED lights that change color or lights that illuminate in different directions and patterns.  The added creative benefit of being able to use strip lighting and neon lighting also gives you the option of impressing your guests by updating from string lighting.

New Tek Partners can help stuff your stockings with lighting solutions for the Christmas holidays.  When it comes to decorating your tree, New Tek Partners can provide you with LED strip lighting and neon lighting to help dress your tree up in unique Christmas fashion.  These lights are safe and energy efficient and are free of visible LED dots.  Next time you are looking for new ways to decorate your tree for the Christmas holiday, look to New Tek Partners to provide you festive and efficient holiday lighting.

New Tek Partners is an LED technology based company and our mission is to develop and produce high quality LED lighting products and provide alternative lighting solutions to our clients.  Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions about how we can help you reduce your electric costs, as well as reduce your effect on the environment.  Also connect with us on our Facebook Page.

The Future of LED Lighting Part II

The rate at which LED technology is growing is surprising even the harshest skeptics.  This evolution can be seen in advances such as incandescent technology being phased out, terminology (watts to lumens) being changed, and government tax breaks being offered.  It’s versatile in its use – from commercial to residential applications and everything in between.  What started out as a niche-oriented technology is now becoming widespread throughout the globe.

According to the U.S. Energy Department, there are about 971 million 60-watt light bulbs in use in the United States alone.  Part of the reason of the phasing out of incandescent bulbs is so that consumers will use the more efficient LED technology and encourage energy savings for our growing population.  Green initiatives are becoming more important now than ever and LED technology is already a leader in green solutions.  CFLs still remain a viable option; however, when compared to LED technology, CFLs contain mercury, have shorter life spans and give off a blue-green light.  Because of those reasons, and others, many lighting experts expect for LED bulbs to become the eventual replacement for incandescent lighting. 

Already major chain retailers are carrying LED bulbs in place of incandescent technology; the most common being a 60-watt-equivalent LED bulb.  Futuristic niche-uses of this technology still remain as well.  The U.S. military is using LED applications in UV-LED canteen water treatment devices, sterilization of field surgical equipment and LED flashlights for night-vision goggles.  The automotive industry is also moving toward using LED light bulbs in vehicles.  Next generation televisions are also being outfitted with LED technology to improve resolution, color and brightness.  With an increase in usage of this technology across the board, it opens up the door for entrepreneurs to utilize this technology and make it their own – including upgrades and customization to computers, photography and mobile phones.  Universities such as UC Davis and University at Albany-SUNY have also implemented solid-state lighting programs, indicating a shift in educating and arming graduates for the future of lighting technology. 


New Tek Partners offers a range of products to supplement your green initiatives and keep you ahead of the technological curve.  LED lighting’s energy efficiency, high brightness and technological superiority over other light sources made it an ideal choice for consumers.  LED tube lights, screw-in bulbs, strip lights, street lamps, wall packs and several other products constitute the range of LED technology offered by New Tek Partners.  Next time you are looking ahead of the curve at technology, choose New Tek Partners to provide you with the lighting that is the wave of the future.

New Tek Partners is an LED technology based company and our mission is to develop and produce high quality LED lighting products and provide alternative lighting solutions to our clients.  Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions about how we can help you reduce your electric costs, as well as reduce your effect on the environment.  Also connect with us on our Facebook Page.

The Future of LED Lighting

LED's are on the verge of reaching nearly every technological sector of your daily life.  From remote control key chains to household lighting to even industrial warehouse applications, this young technology is quickly gaining a foothold and looking to become the standard of lighting for years to come.  Before it became mainstream, LED lighting was used in niche applications.  With technology growing at such a rapid rate, it gave LED technology a chance to become involved with recent technological advances, like video displays on GPS and handheld devices.
 
While LED lighting prices remain high, their energy-efficient qualities combined with the phasing out of incandescent bulbs are combining to give this technology a platform on which to prove itself.  Prices, however, are expected to steadily decline in the next few years.  LED's are semiconductors, and since they are solid-state technology, they follow a fairly predictable curve as far as affordability and technological advancement go. 

A Hewlett-Packard semiconductor researcher estimated that light quality in LED's would increase by a factor of 20 per decade, while the cost would inversely drop by a factor of 10.  LightFair, an annual international architectural and commercial trade show, has seen its displays of LED lights rise of the last few years, reflecting this LED curve.  The industry as a whole is depending on LED's to supplant incandescent and fluorescent technology.  Even the government is joining the mindset of business enterprise. 

Just last year, the Department of Energy announced over $30 million in grants for solid state lighting research.  This grant money will go towards research and manufacturing of current LED's, in addition to new LED based technology.  Government estimates show that widespread LED use could cut U.S. electricity costs for lighting by up to a third by 2030.  This includes using LED's for traffic signals and flashlights and throughout civic centers and sports arenas.
 
New Tek Partners provides the latest in LED technology for private and commercial use.  With the increase in demand of LED products, New Tek Partners has an expanded line which features screw-in bulbs, wall packs, floor lights, and street lights.  As LED technology continues to follow the curve, New Tek Partners will be there to guide the way and inform you of the latest LED upgrades.

New Tek Partners is an LED technology based company and our mission is to develop and produce high quality LED lighting products and provide alternative lighting solutions to our clients.  Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions about how we can help you reduce your electric costs, as well as reduce your effect on the environment.  Also connect with us on our Facebook Page.