Depending on the application, other design characteristics may also contribute to the sustainability of a product. We monitor the following additional indicators for our products:
Resource input (size/weight)
Obviously, smaller and lighter products use less resources to produce, less space to transport, and make for less waste at the end of their life. But as miniaturizing lamps may lead to drawbacks in efficacy, we consider the trade-off carefully. A good example are T5 fluorescent lamps - they offer the optimum efficacy of fluorescent lamps, with more lm/W than smaller diameters.
Retrofit-ability
In the case of lamps bought to replace burnt out ones, consumers are usually not willing to replace their luminaries to accommodate the most efficient technologies. Engineering an energy-saving product to allow a one to one replacement of a less efficient lamp (with the same base and outside dimensions) is a bonus for sustainability - even if a better solution would be available with a new luminaire.
Color Rendering
Technologically, there may be a trade off between color rendering and luminous efficacy. Nevertheless, if a consumer is only willing to exchange his old incandescent light bulb for an energy-saver if the colors are natural, then the better color rendering may be a sustainability bonus.
Dimm-ability
Having the possibility of dimming a light source can affect sustainability in two ways: They allow the power consumption of a light source to be reduced if less light is needed, and - in the case of our dimmable energy saving lamps – the Halogen Energy Saver or the DULUX EL DIM - provide end-users who have dimmers installed in their homes to switch to energy-saving solutions without changing their electric system. But it is important to realize: A lamp dimmed to half its light output will use more energy than a lamp designed for this reduced light output.
Recyclability
With the growing scarcity of natural resources, recycling is becoming ever more important. Making lamps easier to recycle by reducing the number of different materials and avoiding compound materials that are difficult to recycle is an important goal for our R&D department.
Quality of life
Light influences the biological well-being of humans and other organisms. A light source that closely mathes the characteristics of daylight can positively influence the circadian rhythm, promoting the well-being especially of people working without the benefit of natural sunlight.
