GE expands its line of efficient LEDs

Over the next 16 months, GE Lighting expects to roll out a full line of energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs designed to replace inefficient incandescent light bulbs.

First out will be the dimmable 13-watt GE Energy Smart LED, set to be available in November as a replacement for 60-watt incandescent bulbs. LEDs designed to replace 75-watt and 100-watt incandescent bulbs — likely to be 18-watt and 27-watt products, respectively — are expected to arrive on store shelves in late 2012.

According to GE, all the LEDs are expected to have a lifetime of over two decades based on three hours of use per day.

GE already offers a range of LED bulbs, including spot and flood lights, ceiling bulb fans, medium globes, small globes, candles and night lights.

As more efficient lighting technology improves, incandescent bulbs are decreasing in use around the world. According to industry trade-association data, standard incandescent bulbs have declined in popularity by about 50 percent over the last five years (2006-2010) in the US, and similarly in other parts of the world.