According to the manufacturer Vu1, there is a novel lamp that is not only bright but also mercury-free. The company has developed a new lamp that can replace CFLs and LEDs for 5 years. The ESL lamp life of Vu1 can be as long as 6000 hours, about three to four times the life of incandescent and CFL lamps, and less than half the heat generated by incandescent lamps.
New ESL bulb
The disadvantage of the CFL lamp is that it contains about 5 milligrams of mercury, albeit in small amounts, but sufficient to harm the environment. The EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) recommends leaving the room when the CFL lamp breaks. According to Vu1, ESL lamps can be treated once and without harm.
Although LED lamps have a lifetime of 40,000 to 50,000 hours, they are expensive. For example, Panasonic's EverLeds lamp, which will be available in Japan next month, retails for about $40.
Vu1's ESL lamp prices will be set at about 20 US dollars, is expected to put the market in mid-2010. Vu1 plans to start production at its European factory by the end of this year.