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WAYNE, PA, April 30, 2014 -- Independence LED Lighting, the award-winning U.S. manufacturer of commercial LED lighting, announced today that according to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) report data, Independence LED tubes are 15% more efficient in lumens per watt than the average from the field of over 30 LED manufacturers, including tubes from major competitors Philips, Cree, and Osram Sylvania.
In the report, the DOE found that LEDs are more efficient than ever.The CALiPER Summary Report 21: Linear (T8) LED Lamps concludes: “Compared to previous CALiPER testing of the same product type, there have been notable performance gains. With the efficacy (lumens/watt) of many lamps now equivalent to or exceeding that of fluorescent lamps.” (Section: Conclusions – page 20)
As the below chart indicates, the U.S.-made Independence LED tube is 15 lumens per watt more efficient than the average of the tested field (15.95%) and over 10% more efficient than global lighting companies like Philips, Osram Sylvania, and Cree.
LED Tubes with External Drivers may be Safer than Internal Driver Tubes
The 2014 report indicates that, based on their design, Independence LED tubes are potentially safer than competitor products. Typical fluorescent fixtures bring line voltage into the fixture via Alternating Current (AC), and then convert it through the ballast to lower-voltage Direct Current (DC). Internal driver LED tubes – like most of Independence LED’s competitors -- override the ballast, creating a potential safety issue. As the DOE says in their March 2013 CALiPER Report: Recessed Troffer Lighting: “There is ongoing concern in the lighting industry over the safety of fluorescent troffers when they are converted using LED T8 lamps or retrofit kits.” (Section: Electrical Safety and Certifications of Retrofitted Troffers - page 25)
The 2014 CALiPER Report addressed this safety concern directly, specifically citing the Independence LED as a safer option. The report reads: “Two other products [13-31 Independence LED and 13-33 Cree] did not use the sockets for supplying power to the lamps (although 13-31 did use the sockets for supporting the lamp). Like products that can use an existing ballast, these products could reduce safety concerns related to future modifications.” (Section: Electrical Characteristics – page 18). The Report did elaborate on how the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved clamp system for Independence LED provides safety and the ultimate flexibility to either use, or not use, the existing fixture sockets. This flexibility is important for de-lamping to center new tubes in two to one retrofits.
DOE Report Supports De-Lamping
De-lamping is becoming front and center, and the 2014 DOE Report Conclusion says, “The other alternative is to shift away from using LED products as one-for-one replacements to upgrade existing luminaires.” The 29 watt Independence LED tube tested by the DOE is most often used to replace two fluorescent tubes or in multi-tube high bay fixtures, while the one-to-one replacement for 32 watt fluorescent tubes is the Independence LED 12 watt or 16 watt solution. Many of the company’s fixture retrofit solutions are approved for utility rebates via the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) Quality Products List.
Charlie Szoradi, CEO of Independence LED, said, “We could not be more proud of how our American-manufactured LED lights squared up in the 2014 Department of Energy CALiPER Report. Independence LED tubes are substantially more efficient than competitors, yielding extraordinary energy savings, particularly when retrofitting existing light fixtures. Safety is a paramount concern, and Independence LED’s external-driver system ensures that switching the lights won’t be shocking anything but your electric bill. And because we manufacture right here in America, Independence LED tubes and fixtures are supremely reliable, allowing us to offer an industry-leading 10 year warranty. “
About Independence LED:
Independence LED is an American manufacturer of superior commercial LED lights based in Wayne, Pennsylvania. In 2013, Independence LED won the “Best Lighting Retrofit” by the U.S. Green Building Council for the Urban Green Award
