LED chip, lamp and lighting maker Cree Inc of Durham, NC, USA has expanded its $1.5m commitment to provide LED lighting for new homes built in the USA by Habitat for Humanity (a non-profit Christian housing organization founded in 1976 that works in more than 70 countries).
Building on its 2010 pledge to provide LED downlights, Cree is now offering Habitat for Humanity affiliates the new Cree LED Bulb, making whole-home LED lighting possible for Habitat homeowners.
"As part of our mission to drive 100% adoption of energy-efficient LED lighting, Cree's goal has always been to deliver LED solutions that save energy and fundamentally improve the overall lighting environment," says chief marketing officer Betty Noonan. "The addition of the Cree LED Bulb portfolio to our collaboration further supports Habitat's efforts to create affordable, sustainable homes, while enabling homeowners to greatly reduce their energy usage for decades without sacrificing the light quality," she adds.
Since 2010, more than 3000 new Habitat homes have used Cree ENERGY STAR-qualified CR6 downlights, which are designed to last for 50,000 hours while consuming 85% less energy than incandescent downlights. The new Cree LED Bulb 60-watt replacement looks like an incandescent bulb, emitting warm, omnidirectional light and is designed to use 85% less energy over a 25,000-hour lifetime.
"We are grateful to partner with companies like Cree that are helping Habitat serve families in need of affordable housing through product donations that can lower homeowners' daily living expenses," says Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "Extending Cree's current commitment to include the Cree LED Bulb furthers our efforts to build sustainable communities across the country."
