NEW Technology News

April 24, 2006 12:09 PM US Eastern Timezone

LED Lighting Fixtures, Inc. Achieves Unprecedented Gain in Light Output from New Luminaire; Latest Prototype Fixture Operates Using 15 Percent of the Power of Standard 65-Watt Incandescent Bulbs

MORRISVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2006--LED Lighting Fixtures, Inc. (LLF) announced today that independent third-party testing has confirmed that the company's recessed luminaire has an efficacy of 73 lumens per watt, a staggering gain in efficacy of 35 percent over test results of its predecessor just two short months ago. This advance paves the way for wider acceptance of light-emitting diode (LED) technology in the U.S. lighting market, estimated at $12 billion.

In recent testing conducted at CSA International's Lighting Laboratory in Atlanta, LLF's fixtures continuously produced more than 700 lumens using less than 10 watts from a wall-plug AC source. This result was significantly higher than the company's 54 lumens per watt achieved in February. Color temperature was measured at 3200 Kelvin, with a color rendering index of 92. LLF's proprietary white light technology allows for a wide range of desired color temperatures. The company used LEDs supplied by Cree, Inc.

"Our results were documented by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory using stringent scientific standards," said LLF Chief Technology Officer Gerry Negley. "The tests were conducted using a six-inch recessed fixture and the light source was measured with an integrating sphere after reaching thermal equilibrium. Because our fixtures use less then 10 watts they are completely cool to the touch."

A technological marvel

LLF's latest prototype fixture operates using less than 15 percent of the power of standard 65-watt incandescent bulbs and 50 percent of the power of compact fluorescent bulbs, while delivering equivalent warm white light as measured in lumens. The company's LED fixtures produce virtually no heat and can provide 50,000 hours of light, as compared to the average 2,000 hours provided by conventional 65-watt bulbs. Homeowners accustomed to replacing burned-out bulbs every few months will be delighted to learn that LED lights can function 20 years under normal usage of five to six hours per day.

LLF's technological advances shatter conventional thinking regarding the projected timeline and quality of light offered by LEDs for general lighting applications, and represent a radical improvement in the cumulative environmental and economic impact of traditional lighting. "In fact," said Negley, "our results far exceed the 2010 objectives set by the U.S. Department of Energy. This revolutionary 'reinvention' of light could have global implications for decades to come."

LLF is committed to enlisting strategic partners who embrace the vision that LEDs provide consumers and the nation with viable solutions to combat our energy crisis. The company is working diligently to accelerate production and distribution of this product by the end of the year for new and retrofit markets.

"I've had the opportunity to help build a few substantial businesses in my lifetime," said Neal Hunter, the company's chairman and CEO. "However, the greatest obligation lies before me in helping the LLF team deploy this technology to the world."

Safe and environmentally friendly

Unlike fluorescent lights, LEDs contain no mercury or other toxic substances and present no risks in handling or disposal. Conversion of household lighting to LED sources will significantly reduce the number of discarded light bulbs in the waste stream.

Additionally, standard 65-watt incandescent bulbs found in typical recessed lights generate dangerous levels of heat and force air-conditioning systems to work much harder to cool the home or business.

According to the U.S. Government-sponsored ENERGY STAR(R) program, if every American household installed energy-efficient bulbs in five of their most frequently used light fixtures, the resulting drop in energy consumption would keep more than one trillion pounds of greenhouse gasses out of the atmosphere. That's equivalent to eliminating the air pollution caused by more than 8 million cars driving on our streets and highways for an entire year.

Reducing energy costs and dependency on fossil fuels

LLF's light fixtures save money. For example, consumers will save approximately $7 in annual energy cost per fixture over conventional incandescent sources. Compared with the total operating cost of conventional sources, LLF fixtures will pay for themselves in less than two years and provide additional cost savings thereafter. The resulting reduction in energy consumption could substantially reduce America's reliance on fossil fuel sources to supplement domestic energy production.

"Our product provides comfort, convenience, safety, and savings, while contributing to the reduction in global energy consumption," said Hunter. "We believe we must deploy our technology on a rapid global basis to help relieve the pressures on our energy infrastructure."

Fore more information on LED Lighting Fixtures, go to www.ledlightingfixtures.com or e-mail info@ledlightingfixtures.com.

LED Lighting Fixtures, Inc. (LLF) is a privately held company headquartered in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. Its mission is to accelerate the adoption and evolution of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) into high-volume general lighting applications so that consumers can realize lower energy and maintenance costs. LED lighting is significant in that it should provide decades of lifetime under normal operation, requiring a fraction of the power required for traditional lighting solutions. The company's founding group averages more than 20 years of experience in all aspects of LED materials, devices, components and systems.

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