Disclaimer: The information provided here is of a general nature. Ramin Communications is not recomending the specific products mentioned here and accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of information about specific products. Electricity is DANGEROUS and should not be treated lightly. Information on individual product packaging should be read carefully and understood before installation. The advice of qualified Electricians should be sought on specific requirements and installations.
Unlike CFLs, LED Lamps contain no mercury. For more on Fluorescent lamps and mercury, see end-of-life management and Mercury in Fish .
LED stands for light-emitting diode. LEDs are small light sources that become illuminated by the movement of electrons through a semiconductor material. LEDs can be integrated into all sorts of products to provide white and colored light, such as flashlights, light bulbs, and integrated light fixtures....www.energystar.gov
1939: Early in this year (around Feb-March) GE introduced the now ubiquitous 48 inch (4 ft) 1-1/2 in. Diameter T-12, 40 watt MAZDA F lamp. Initially there was much skepticism among GE engineers that such a long lamp was not practical or even possible to manufacture. Again GE accomplished the "impossible"! Like the 30 watt lamp, this new lamp at first used 240 volt choke ballast and a step-up transformer if used on a 120 v circuit. This size quickly became and remains to this day, the most popular fluorescent lamp ever made! Even today's 4 foot T-8 F lamps aren't at all "high tech" and were made experimentally in 1939!...edisontechcenter.org
| Lighting Technology | Price (Random Sample)1 | Mercury2 | GHG Emissions/Energy Use3 | Lifetime Hrs(Years at 6 hours/day)4 |
| 36W, T8, Fluorescent Tube | $7.87 (inc GST) + Installation | 9 - 12 mg mercury | 36W + production of Tube | 30,000hours (13years) |
| 28W T5 Fluorescent Tube + Adapter (also avail in 35W,21W,14W) | $29.00+ Installation | 3 mg mercury | 28W + production of Tube | 30,000hours (13years) |
9W,15W,18W,22watt SMD LED (T8 1200mm) Tube  | Unit Price $55,$59,$59,$69 + Installation | No Mercury | 18W+ production of Tube | 50,000hours (22years) |
1Assumes T8 Fitting already in place & Electrician to carry out replacement 2Management and disposal by businesses of fluorescent light bulbs and other mercury-containing bulbs are regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Universal Waste Rule (UWR) and Subtitle C hazardous waste regulations...www.epa.gov "You’ll maximize the lifetime savings and effectiveness of your CFLs by keeping them on for 15 minutes or more at a time." - www.energystar.gov 3The carbon price will be $23 for each tonne of pollution beginning on 1 July 2012. www.pm.gov.au 450,000 hours for LED Tubes is conservative. The tubes are being quoted at 50-100,000 hours. A website (viewed 7 December 2011) pushing the T5 approach quotes: "LED bulbs can have anywhere between 35,000 - 50,000 useful life hours, while linear fluorescent bulbs maintain anywhere between 20,000- 30,000 useful life hours. | ||||
FluoroCycle (www.fluorocycle.org.au) is a voluntary, national scheme that aims to increase recycling of mercury-containing lamps. It commenced operations on 21 July 2010. The initial focus of the scheme is on those sectors that account for the largest consumption of mercury containing lamps, the commercial and public lighting sectors....A variety of lamp types used in Australia require mercury to operate. Generally, the higher the power usage, the more mercury that is required to operate the lamp...www.environment.gov.au
While LED Lighting does not contain mercury and has a long life, its electronic and plastic components will eventually pose an e-waste problem or resource.
Direct replacement Baynet and Edison Screw Lamps
LED alternatives to Halogen Downlights and Under/in Cabinet Lights
www.ramin.com.au/eco-sydney/LED-vs-T8-vs-T5.shtml © Ramin Communications 2011. Last modified 28 August 2013.
