The green deal

MANILA, Philippines - The simple decision of choosing a light bulb is not that easy anymore. Since advance technology and environmental awareness have increased over the years, the ultimate choice of what is the better lighting alternative has been raised.

LED or light emitting diode has long been globally known as the most sustainable replacement for conventional compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) products as it is environmentally safe and beneficial. On the other hand, buying CFL or incandescent light bulb undoubtedly costs less but costs more in the long run.

So with the simplest pros and cons presented, the battle between traditional and the LED lighting raises the question: Is LED really the best deal?

LEDs are developed in the 1960s as a red indicator light in a number of electronic devices. Now, they are becoming popular as alternative choice for a greener and brighter light source that can be used practically anywhere.

With the promise of producing quality lighting products, Akari Lighting and Technology Corporation has been in the business for the past 10 years. And in their commitment to provide lighting innovations, they have launched the premier LED series called NXLED

Elizabeth Navarro, Retail Group Division head of Akari, reveals “the local LED market already has many players, mainly due to the rising demand for LED as well as the lack of permits needed to distribute LED products for now, which makes the presence of low quality LED products inevitable.”

But Navarro said, Akari makes sure its product NXLED offers the “next generation of LED” to Filipino consumers. “We make sure that the newest LED designs come from us” she said.

And for the first quarter of 2013, NXLED has launched its latest LED innovation such as the LED panel lights, dimmable fixtures and the LED emergency lights.

Leading the green revolution

The NXLED series by lighting company Akari Lighting Technology Corporation has been leading the green light revolution since its formal launch last year.

With more than 100 LED products that differ in wattages and applications -- from bulbs, fixtures, outdoor, convertible lighting and submersible lights -- NXLED has the most complete product lineup in the market today.

According to Navarro, the most popular LED products are the LED bulbs and LED tubular lamps. What sets these bulbs apart is their wide variety of selection from 1 watt to 10 watt, with superior quality heat sinks that dispers heat. On the other hand, NXLED’s LED tubular lamps offer the highest amount of illumination that reaches up to 1800 lumens.

Included in their impressive product line is a LED Security Light that has a built-in motion and photo sensor.

“We want to set the trend in LED lighting, and one of our proudest innovation is NXLED Security Light, an innovation which can help secure lives and properties and save money as well”, Navarro added.

Why make the switch?

With NXLED’s lighting innovations, the public is gradually accepting the use of this sustainable lighting technology.

Having been available in the local market for several years, Navarro explained that lower electricity consumption, longer burning hours, and being environmentally safe are three of the main reasons why Filipinos are switching to LED

A LED bulb can burn up to 50,000 hours and uses only a fraction of energy compared to a traditional incandescent or CFL bulb. It costs three times more than CFL, but lasts six times longer.

Hence, Navarro added, that these are the reasons why business owners likewise are making the switch to LED lighting because of reduced material costing and a positive return of investment.

“The heat inside houses and establishments is likewise lessened,” she said.

During the recent World Building & Construction Exposition (WORLDBEX) at the World Trade Center in Pasay, the NXLED booth was packed with contractors and designers wanting to see the next big thing in LED lighting.

“We launched our newest NXLED products, the panel lights, dimmable bulbs and ceiling lights, emergency lights and our high bay lights” Navarro said.

She added that what attracted the crowd most was their complete NXLED bulb line, which is comprised of regular and dimmable bulbs from 1 watt to 10 watts.

“The number of people who bought our LED bulbs during the expo exceeded our expectations”, she said.

Biggest winner

But Mother Earth gets the best deal from all these.

Faced with global warming, the planet cools down with LED lighting since LED emits almost three times less heat than CFL and 10 times less than incandescent. And it takes years before you dispose them. And if ever you dispose them, they are friendly to the soil because they have no mercury content.

According to Navarro, LED is the answer to the call for a safer source of light amid the threat of global warming. She added that if everyone all over the world would use LED, then we can say that in our own little way, we are helping Mother Earth, which leads to the reason why NXLED and its sister brand Akari are tenaciously spearheading LED information dissemination to help educate the public about this green lighting alternative.

 NxLED products are distributed by Akari Lighting & Technology Corportaion and available at all ACE Hardware, Ace Express, Handyman, Tue Value, Wilcon Builders, Home Depot, Citi Hardware, and other leading DIY, hardware and electrical stores nationwide. For inquiries, call 508-8181 or visit www.nxled.com.ph.