NZ LED market up, prices down

Philips Lighting’s latest market data shows uptake of LED lighting is increasing in New Zealand. The growth is expected to continue as the price point for the company’s newest lighting option continues to reduce.

All LED bulb sales in New Zealand supermarkets, in the 12 months to the end of February 2014, are 34 times greater than sales in the previous year. Philips’ range of LED bulbs has captured 70% of that growth, with the company’s products said to use up to 80% less energy and last up to 15 times longer than an incandescent bulb.

Philips’ third-generation LEDbulb range, which is being released in New Zealand over the coming month, is more energy efficient than previous models and priced lower. The 13 W LED bulb (75 W incandescent bulb equivalent) now draws 12.5 W of electricity to produce similar light output and has reduced in price from $24.95 to $19.95.

“With lighting making up around 12% of the average New Zealand home’s electricity bill, converting to energy-efficient lighting is one simple and effective way to reduce overall energy consumption and cost, especially with prices for buying LED bulbs having come down,” said David Procter of Philips Lighting New Zealand.

Philips anticipates “the trend for growth in consumer uptake of LED for lighting their homes to continue”, said Procter, predicting that at least 50% of global lighting will be LEDs by 2015 and 75% by the end of this decade.