Changing your incandescent and CFL light bulbs to LED

You may have heard that the federal government has started phasing out incandescent light bulbs (filament bulbs) since 2011 and they are supposed to be banned completely this year (2014). The policy to phase these bulbs out is being implementation in two phases:

• Phase 1 (2011) - ban on the sale and import of 100-watt incandescent light bulbs
• Phase 2 (2012 - Dec 2013) - ban the manufacture, import and sale of the 100-watt lights.

No news on smaller wattages yet, but they are also expected to be banned in time to come. What is clear now is that we can still see tonnes of RM1.50 to RM2.00 apiece 60W, 75W and 100W incandescent bulbs at shopping malls.


Learn from others

The following video clip explains similar situation in the US but is very relevant to consumers in Malaysia as well. The Federal Energy Independence and Securities act began in the US in October of 2012, where 40W and 60W incandescent light-bulbs were phased out beginning January this year.

I saw this from Inhabitat and I thought I should share it with you, fellow readers.



Come on, give it a go. Go ahead watch it. It's only 6 minutes and it might give you an idea on how to lower your energy consumption by switching from incandescent light bulbs and CFL to LED. You may also learn a thing or two on how to recycle your old incandescent bulbs.

LED light bulbs are now readily available at local electrical stores and their prices are dropping at a faster rate than CFLs'.

Source: Inhabitat


TheGreenMechanics: The price of a typical 60W equivalent LED light bulb (6W to 8W) is now down to as low as RM25.00 so I may consider this as replacement for the 40W fluorescent tubes in the near term.

Take advantage of Thailand's LED Lighting market: MATRADE

If you have outgrown the domestic demand, venture globally. This seem to be the message of MATRADE to local manufacturers and exporters.

But is our domestic demand that high? I doubt it.

Malaysia has more than 20 local LED companies involved in the assembly of LED lighting products. Some of the bigger ones are Osram Opto Semiconductors (M) Sdn Bhd, Globetronics Technology Bhd, Elsoft Research Bhd, MyLED Opto Technology, and MMS Ventures Bhd.

Malaysia's LED lighting market is not that big compare to that of China or even Thailand but what's more disappointing is the lower than expected usage of LED lighting locally. For example, Osram in Bayan Lepas, Penang is expanding its production plant because it is anticipating the huge demand in China beginning 2013.

Why can't we expand domestic consumption instead. (Again) are we happy with just being the manufacturer and exporter but not using the product itself?

Thailand's LED lighting market is currently 12% of the nation's total lighting market share

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I've appended Bernama's article herewith for your reference, in case the news portal decides to archive it and becomes unavailable for free:


Malaysian exporters urged to take advantage Of Thai LED Lighting market

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15 -- The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) is encouraging Malaysian exporters of LED lightings to take advantage of the huge demand for LED products in Thailand.

In a statement, Matrade said Thailand continues to encourage energy saving, and plans to reduce energy consumption by 20 per cent by 2030.

"Thailand's current LED lighting market is about US$27 million (RM84 million) or 12 per cent of the Kingdom's total lighting market share.

"Market demand is anticipated to increase further between 30 per cent to 50 per cent by 2015. The market has shown a positive growth trend with revenue of more than US$10 billion (RM31 million) in recent years," it added.

Matrade's Trade Commissioner in Bangkok, Niqman Rafaee Mohd Sahar said the Provincial Electricity Authority is planning to replace one million street lights nationwide with (LED)bulbs. He said other areas that require LED lighting are public and private infrastructure projects, including the construction of a new stadium, the Parliament house, residential areas in the city and provinces, commercial areas such as shopping malls, hospitality and entertainment projects.

"Malaysian companies should focus on the requirements of LED products for massive government projects in Thailand, as well as to explore and support the growth demand of LED lighting in the electrical, electronics, and automotive industry," he added.

The number of cars with LED headlights will grow from 1.5 million this year to five million in 2015 with the value of LED components growing from US$130 million (RM406 million) to US$300 million (RM938 million).

Last year, Malaysia's total trade with Thailand grew 5.4% to US$74.01 billion (RM231 billion) with a positive export growth of 5.5% to US$37.71 billion (RM118 billion).