Rare Earth Phosphor Shortage and Fluorescent Light Bulbs

There is now a shortage of rare earth phosphors due to the Chinese limiting production and exports out of their country. Why is this effecting fluorescent light bulbs… (UV, Compact Fluorescents, T12, T8 & T5)? The inside of every fluorescent light bulb is lined with phosphor. The phosphor is what makes the light in fluorescent bulbs and they will not work without it.

The shortage of phosphor has already caused disruption in the production of many types of fluorescent light bulbs which is already causing delivery issues. Consumers will also experience price increases for all styles from 10 to 50 percent or possibly more depending on how long the shortages continue.

At Light Bulb Market, we will stay committed to stocking as many Compact Fluorescent, UV and Linear Fluorescent Light Bulbs as possible. Let us help you.

https://plus.google.com/101603600875699326342/postsrel=author”>Holly Eddins

Lumens & Light Quality in Philips LEDs

There is lots of talk going on in the marketplace about LEDs and the quality of them and does it really matter from one brand to another.

The quality from one light bulb to another can certainly be seen by a normal homeowner. Light Bulbs are a delicate item. There are defective ones. There are generic brands. All the big brands are in the game. All in all though, there is a difference in quality. Buying the cheapest no name light bulb is not always going to be the best bet for you!

We've been getting questions lately about the lumen output and light quality of the Philips LED bulbs. Because these bulbs are rated to last 40,000 hours, there is not data for the life of the bulb yet.

A January 2011 report of 10 bulbs at 3000 hours showed that there was no lumen depreciation and no color shift at that time. So, that is very good!!! This test was based on the Luxeons Royal Blue which is part of the interior technology of the Endura LED lamps. Then at 6000 hours the luxeon LED's inside the Endura perform at 99% which far exceeds the requirements set by Energy Star!

Energy Star requirements are only 91.80 for residential and 94.1% for commercial and outdoor residential. The rate in which a LED's color is effected is dependent on how the bulb is cooled.

Holly Eddins

Depression and Light Therapy

First off we do not tout nor claim to be experts in this field. It is very technical, hard to conclusively determine and just plain out of our league.

Having gotten that out of the way, I read a very interesting article recently on using certain types of light and rhythms to combat the effects of depression. The article specifically dealt with elderly or folks over 60. I'm not sure I would consider that elderly these days but whatever.

It's not a conclusive test but it really goes deep in testing whether or not this idea is valid or not. Wanted to share it with our readers. Let us know your thoughts as well!

Blue Light vs Red Light Therapy in Depression

Holly Eddins

60 Watt G25 Natural Light Philips Light Bulbs Discontinued

Another Natural Light Bulb has found itself on the delisted or discontinued list from Philips. The 60 Watt G25 is the most recent of those.

Currently, the 40 watt G25 Natural Light Globe Light Bulbs are still available. Depending on when you are reading this, please check the link above to see if they are still around.

Customers who have used these bulbs really love the natural light that they emit. We hear things like, "I love putting on my makeup in a bathroom with these lights because when I get outside, I know what I'm going to look like." And "I love using these in my closet as I can tell what clothes actually match each other." And "These bulbs make the paint that I painted my rooms with look like they are suppose to!"

We have no idea as to why Philips is no longer producing these bulbs. Most likely is because they are the dreaded incandescent bulb. But we really don't know. All we know is there is still an option for you if you can go with a lower wattage.

Holly Eddins

Philips 75 Watt Director Light Bulbs - Discontinued by Philips

Are you looking for the 75 Watt K19 Philips Director Light Bulbs? We were just informed today that these bulbs have been Delisted or Discontinued by Philips and no longer available. Bummer. These were a great solution to get higher wattage flood lights for the little bulbs.

What are your options? We still have in stock the 60 watt Director Light Bulb as well as the 40 watt Director bulbs and the 100 watt Director Light Bulbs.

We have no idea if the whole collection is at risk of being discontinued or not. Philips never releases this information before the bitter end. So, for the time being, all we know is that we still have stock in and can get the other wattages of Director Light Bulbs.

Holly Eddins

Lava Lamp Replacement Light Bulb Help

We've been getting a large number of calls with customers who are having a hard time with finding a bulb that will make their lava lamp perform properly. It use to be that many of the Lava Lamps called for 75 watt or even 100 watt R20 flood lights.

As part of a governmental regulation, these bulbs have been discontinued. Now, lava lamp lovers are in a bind. There really is not a perfect replacement for the 100 watt R20 flood light. So, our recommendation is to contact the manufacturer of the lava lamp that you own. They know that the problem exists and will be able to tell you what bulbs you need to use now to activate your lava lamp!

Can't find the manufacturer? Go to the retailer where you bought the lava lamp and ask them about the bulbs or even for the manufacturer's information and let them know why. Retailers may not be readily happy to give out their factory's information.

Holly Eddins

Philips Pink Softone Pastel Light Bulbs

We've had several folks to fall in love with the color that is put out by the Philips Pink Softone Light Bulbs. It's a bulb that has a soft pink finish to the bulb which casts off a very subtle pink to your light.

For some customers who purchased the bulbs prior to 2010, they might be disappointed with the color of the bulbs now. The beginning of 2010, Philips moved the manufacturing of these bulbs from Mexico to Indonesia and China. As a result, the color has changed just a bit. For new customers to this product, you will probably fall in love with them. But for customers who are attached to the finish achieved at the Mexico factory may not be so happy.

Just know that since the beginning of 2010 these bulbs have not been produced in Mexico and are no longer available anywhere.

Holly Eddins