ONLY 1 MG OF MERCURY IN THE NEW HYBRID BULB
General Electric unveiled a halogen compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb that promises the efficiency of a CFL without the annoying warm-up period.
Unlike typical compact fluorescents (CFLs), the new GE Reveal and GE Energy Smart Soft White hybrid light bulbs will not take time to heat up in order to reach full luminescence.
The bulb is actually two bulbs in one made on various technologies. A halogen light nestled within the bulb turns on almost instantly (half a second), then shuts off once the CFL has reached its full brightness.
GE says its new hybrid bulb only contains 1 milligram of mercury. Although some companies like Sylvania managed to make small CFLs containing only record-breaking low maintenance of mercury- 1.5 milligram.
Pricing has not yet been announced.
GE did say that 15-watt (60-watt incandescent equivalent) and 20-watt (75-watt equivalent) versions of the hybrid halogen-CFL bulbs will be available as of 2011, with other sizes to become available later.
At 8,000 hours of use, the hybrid light bulb has the same lifespan as GE's Soft White 14-watt CFL. The average incandescent bulb has a 1,000-hour lifespan.