Why is this an advantage?

The European Health Protection Agency on 9th October 2008 issued an advisory stating that “…..energy saving compact fluorescent lights can emit ultraviolet radiation (UVR) at levels that, under certain conditions of use, can result in exposures higher than GUIDELINE levels.”

It went on to state “Exposure to UVR can cause particular problems for people suffering from some medical conditions, including Lupus” and that compact fluorescent lights should not be used in certain applications such as desk lamps.

UV radiation can cause suppression of the immune system as well as skin cancer, cataracts and premature aging of the skin. A standard 1200mm fluorescent tube used in offices, schools, hospitals etc emits 89 ?w/lumen (i.e.) 289,250 ?w for a standard fluorescent tube and double this 568,500?w for typical fluorescent light fixtures which have two tubes.

The American Journal of Epidemiology, John Hopkins University reported in July 1996 - Skin Cancer in a Subtropical Australian Population: Incidence and Lack of Association with Occupation, that “…the lack of association between skin cancer and outdoor work seems paradoxical yet has been observed in many previous studies…” There is no difference between skin cancer rates between indoor and outdoor workers.

The Lancet (the world’s leading general medical journal) reported in August 1982 that, “In a study of 274 women with malignant melanoma, aged 18-54 years, and 549 matched controls in New South Wales, Australia, reported exposure to fluorescent light at work was associated with doubling of melanoma risk…the risk grew with increasing duration of exposure to fluorescent light and was higher in women who had worked mainly in offices…The findings could not be explained by differences in histories of sunlight exposure, in skin or hair colour, or in any other factor…”

Furthermore, global warming occurs as a result of greenhouse gasses such as CO2 absorbing UV radiation as heat. Energy saving compact fluorescent lights and fluorescent tubes may reduce the level of greenhouse gas production, but they contribute to the heating effect of existing greenhouse gasses by emitting UV radiation.

Additionally, some insects see and are attracted to UV radiation. As fluorescent lights and fluorescent tubes emit UV radiation, these insects are attracted to these lights.

Is it an advantage to use Gecko globes and tubes?

If you don’t want to risk sitting or standing under a source (or two or four or more) of UV radiation (above or below GUIDELINE levels) for eight hours a day or risk exposing others, want to reduce your contribution to global warming and do not want insects attracted to UV radiation ……………...absolutely!

Why is this an advantage?

Compact fluorescent lights and fluorescent tubes emit infrared radiation. This can cause electronic devices such as radios, televisions, computers, wireless telephones, security systems, cash register scanners and remote controls to malfunction or stop working.

Additionally some insects see and are attracted to infrared light. As compact fluorescent lights and fluorescent tubes emit infrared light these insects are attracted to these lights.

Is it an advantage to use Gecko globes and tubes?

If you don’t want to risk infrared radiation interfering with your electronic devices and do not want insects attracted to infrared light…………….absolutely!

Why is this an advantage?

Compact fluorescent lights and fluorescent tubes contain mercury and must be disposed of along with other toxic materials at a toxic waste handling facility. Is it an advantage to use Gecko globes and tubes?

If you don’t want to handle or be responsible for toxic waste disposal and the
associated risks and costs ………….absolutely!

Why is this an advantage?

Vibration causes compact fluorescent lights and fluorescent tubes to fail. Therefore, they are not suitable for ceiling fan lights, garage doors or locations where plant and equipment or mobile equipment cause vibration.

Is it an advantage to use Gecko globes and tubes?

If you want lights that are not affected by vibration and which dramatically reduce your maintenance and waste……….………….absolutely!

Why is this an advantage?

Compact fluorescent lights can produce harmonics that disturb the wave shape of the current and voltage supply. Problems include malfunctions of computers, electrical equipment and interference on communication lines, overheated electric motors, transformers and neutral conductors in 3 phase systems and blown fuses.

The power an electric utility delivers is called apparent power. It is the sum of active power and reactive power. The ratio of active power to reactive power is called the power factor. The power factor of incandescent lights is 1.0 while for compact fluorescent lights is 0.3. Power factors below 0.6 are considered poor.

Is it an advantage to use Gecko globes and tubes?

If you don’t want to risk malfunction of computers and electrical equipment and interference on communication lines……….………….absolutely!

Why is this an advantage?

The life of a Compact fluorescent light and a fluorescent tube is dramatically reduced by switching the light on and off and can reduce the life of the light to LESS than that of an incandescent globe. It is recommended that a compact fluorescent light remain on for at least 15 minutes each time it is turned on to reduce but not eliminate this problem.

Is it an advantage to use Gecko globes and tubes?

If you want lights that are not affected by being turned on and off and which dramatically reduce your maintenance time, costs and waste ……….absolutely!

Why is this an advantage?

Compact fluorescent lights and electronic timers and photocells are incompatible. They shorten the bulb life.

Is it an advantage to use Gecko globes and tubes?

If you want lights that can be used with timers or photocells and which dramatically reduce your maintenance, time, costs and waste …….………….absolutely!

Why is this an advantage?

Compact fluorescent lights and fluorescent tubes require starters and ballasts. Electricians report up to 25% of reports that fluorescent lights not working are the result of faulty starters and/or ballasts.

Ballasts consume energy and give off heat. A standard fluorescent tube ballast consumes 12 watts per hour per tube and weights about 0.5Kg. If a multi-story building has 10,000 fluorescent tubes, the ballasts consume 120,000 watts per hour and weigh 5 tonne.

Electronic ballasts which contain indium should be regarded as highly toxic as indium compounds damage the heart, kidney and liver and may be teratogenic (damage unborn babies). At current consumption rates, indium supply is expected to run out in 5 years.
Magnetic ballasts contain copper which, through mining, is associated with social and environmental impacts. Older style magnetic ballasts have potentially problematic health impacts through electro-magnetic radiation.

Is it an advantage to use Gecko globes and tubes?

If you want to dramatically reduce your maintenance, time, cost and waste, your lighting energy consumption, heat generation and the weight of light fittings ……….absolutely!

Why is this an advantage?

Compact fluorescent lights and fluorescent tubes flicker due to the way in which light is produced. This affects people in different ways and can possibly in certain circumstances instigate an epileptic attack. Various corrective measures are taken to reduce the effect of flicker to the point where it is almost imperceptible, but they still flicker and some people are still sensitive to the effect.

Gecko globes and tubes produce light in a different manner and do not flicker.

Is it an advantage to use Gecko globes and tubes?

If you want lights that do not flicker….………….absolutely!

Why is this an advantage?

The life rating of compact fluorescent lights and fluorescent tubes is measured in hours. The life rating is the time at which 50% of a tested sample no longer work. This measurement test is typically performed in the best possible environment with the best possible ballast. Not necessarily the operating environment in which the light is used or the ballast in the light fitting.

While 50% of lights tested may produce light for this period of time, the output of the light diminishes (the light fades). This typically occurs rapidly at the beginning of the life cycle and then more gradually to the point where the light should be changed. The standard formula for calculating when a fluorescent light should be changed is at 40% of the life rating. (e.g.) a compact fluorescent light with a life rating of 6,000 hours should be changed at 2,400 hours and a fluorescent tube with a life rating of 15,000 hours should be changed at 6,000 hours.

Gecko globes and tubes have a life rating over 100,000 hours. While Gecko lights may continue to produce light for and beyond this time, it is recommended they be changed at 50,000 hours. At 50,000 hours the light output is reduced (fades) by less than 30% (i.e.) the output is still more than 70% but at a point where they should be changed.

Is it an advantage to use Gecko globes and tubes?

If you want lights that last a long time to dramatically reduce your maintenance, time, costs and wastes ……….………….absolutely!

Why is this an advantage?

Natural daylight has always had desirable qualities, and is often recommended for improving mood and motivation. Most people will agree, working in an office with no windows can be depressing, not because of the view, most people in offices sit with their back to the window, but because of the beneficial effect of sunlight. Overcast days are said to be gloomy and depressing. Children who are content all day get irritable as the sun goes down.

Standard incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lights marketed as "…white" have a low color temperature, and can cause eye strain.

Lights with a colour temperature of 5000k or more are said to not only improve mood, but also energy, learning ability and behavior. Geckolighting globes and tubes have a colour temperature of 5000k-6500k.

Is it an advantage to use Gecko globes and tubes?

If you want lights which produce light similar to natural daylight that might improve mood, energy, learning ability and behaviour …….………….absolutely!

Why is this an advantage?

Using less energy reduces power consumption and power bills. A Geckolighting globe uses 90% less energy than an incandescent globe and 65% less energy than a compact fluorescent. A Geckolighting tube uses 70% less energy than a standard fluorescent and its ballast.

Additionally, for every kilowatt of lighting energy you save by using Geckolighting products, you save an additional 20% in energy used in air-conditioning.

Using less energy reduces greenhouse gas production and reduces the contribution lighting makes to global warming.

Is it an advantage to use Gecko globes and tubes?

If you want to dramatically reduce your lighting energy usage and lighting bills and reduce your contribution to global warming ……….………….absolutely!

Why is this an advantage?

Have you ever bought something because it was “cheap” and regretted it? Did it end up costing more than a realistically priced alternative that you chose not to buy?

Is it an advantage to use Gecko globes and tubes?

If you want lights which are realistically priced, that reduce or eliminate your exposure to a variety of risks and will save you time, resources and money….………….absolutely!

Why is this an advantage?

Heat from standard lighting products is a fire risk and air-conditioners must work much more to overcome the heat from standard lighting products. For every kilowatt of lighting energy you save by using Geckolighitng products, you save an additional 20% in energy used in air-conditioning.

Is it an advantage to use Gecko globes and tubes?

If you want to reduce fire risk and save on air-conditioning ces and money….………….absolutely!