BLT Direct Launches New YouTube Channel

Since the early days of the internet, BLT Direct has been supplying light bulbs, lamps and tubes to customers throughout the UK. As one of the first online sellers of such items, the company carved themselves a niche in the market and soon established themselves as a leading retailer. BLT Direct has this week showed its innovation once more, launching a brand new YouTube channel, which features a range of informative videos about the range of products they have on offer. The channel has been launched so that customers can learn more about the light bulbs that they’re purchasing, and so that frequently asked questions regarding important topics such as bulb bases and colour temperatures can be answered.

Measuring light is not something that can generally be done through a still picture and a product description, and so this YouTube channel is essential for customers who wish to get an idea of the brightness or colour temperature of their purchase before they order it. The videos help to create as close to a ‘try before you buy’ system as humanly possible across the internet, by showing direct comparisons between bulbs when they’re illuminated so that customers can be sure that they’re ordering the one which will best suit their needs. 

Some of the videos viewable on the YouTube channel are also short informational films about vital aspects of buying light bulbs. Bulb bases are a notoriously tricky area to grasp for those who don’t proclaim themselves to be experts in the field of lighting solutions, and BLT Direct’s useful video guide to bulb bases provides a basic and thorough education in the space of just three minutes. The moving images are combined with captions and static text to ensure that the message is well and truly received by all viewers. 

There is also a guide to colour temperatures for those who are unfamiliar. Many of the product pages listed at BLT Direct describe a bulb’s colour temperature as ‘daylight’ or ‘warm white’, and for those who have always used the traditional ‘pearl’ incandescent light bulbs, these new shades can be difficult to imagine. The colour temperature guide video explains the history of the ‘kelvin’ scale and the colour temperature of a naked flame, before describing the ways in which advanced technology can artificially replicate the naked flame with electricity. There is then a short demonstration of the difference between ‘warm white’, ‘cool white’ and ‘daylight’ temperatures, simultaneously communicating the advantages of each one, and describing the situations each colour temperature is most suited to.  

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

Stock Up Or Switch – Incandescent vs Fluorescent

Legislation by the EU, which was first passed in 2008, will enter its final phase on September 1st 2012, as the manufacture and importation of all incandescent light bulbs will cease around Europe. The old bulbs are being phased out as part of a scheme to encourage the public to favour the more energy-efficient lighting solutions which have hit the market in the past decade. Whilst it won’t be illegal for shops to stock the remainder of them, all production of the filament bulbs will halt, and in the week leading up to the deadline, many customers are stocking up on what is left of the old incandescent bulbs, or starting to plan their switch to more energy-saving alternatives.

As the EU encourages the public to favour fluorescent over incandescent, many are unwilling to part with the soft, atmospheric glow that the traditional 60-watt and 100-watt bulbs emit. BLT Direct is a UK supplier of lighting solutions for a whole manner of purposes, and they still have significant stock of these older bulbs. The GLS 100-Watt Pearl Light Bulb is a convenient, comfortable old favourite with many; unlike some energy-saving bulbs, which take a few seconds to reach full illumination, the incandescent bulbs reach their maximum brightness immediately, and the flattering pearl colour has been a permanent fixture in many homes for years. The Bayonet Cap is one of the most popular and enduring bases, ensuring that the bulb will fit all the old fittings and fixtures, and  though their lifespan may be significantly shorter, these bulbs cost less upfront than their energy-saving descendants.

The Energy Saving GLS Bulbs are considered to be a direct replacement for the incandescent bulbs, and they all come with traditional Edison Screw Caps or Bayonet Caps to make the transition from incandescent to fluorescent as seamless as possible. The energy-efficient models, which are at the forefront of the market now, help customers to see huge reductions in energy bills, and the statistics regarding their energy consumption are impressive. A standard energy-saving 11-watt GLS bulb can see an incredible 90% decrease in UV output, with similar figures in reducing heat and energy consumption. Where the ‘pearl’ colour was favoured in the case of the older bulbs, their newer versions come in more natural shades which include ‘warm white’ and even ‘daylight’. Making the switch to energy-saving bulbs needn’t be the daunting task some may consider it to be; the developments in lighting solutions over the past few years have helped to make the conversion simple, easy and perhaps most importantly, cost-effective.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

Replicate Opening Ceremony Drama With LED Light Bulbs

The London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony last week was an event which certainly showcased the best of British, with nods to music, film and literature that sent messages about British heritage right across the world. But some of the most spectacular moments of the 90-minute extravaganza were the parts which showcased the best in modern light bulb technology. Angelic winged figures on bicycles lit up the darkened arena with lights in their wings, dimmable LED lights were used as the nurses of the NHS put children to sleep in their beds, and LED lights fitted to each seat helped to turn the entire stadium into a digital explosion of light and colour. 

Almost all of the special effects carried out in the ceremony were down to the LED light, a relatively modern invention which proves how far lighting technology has come since the days of the energy-wasting incandescent bulb. BLT Direct is a leading UK supplier of light bulbs for both domestic and commercial settings, and though an eruption of dramatic, coloured light such as the one in the Olympic stadium cannot be promised, the LED light bulbs available will illuminate any home or business with energy-saving ease.

When not being used to dazzle the world in spectacular Olympic ceremonies, LED bulbs are great alternatives to the incandescent bulbs which were used in homes and businesses for many years, production of which is slowly halting because of their energy-guzzling reputation. The LED GU10 5-Watt Warm White Bulb is the lowest cost, highest power GU10 LED bulb available from BLT Direct, producing the same amount of light as a 50-watt halogen bulb. No transformers are needed, and no alterations need to be made to existing fittings to accommodate these bulbs; they fit into any existing sockets easily so the savings can commence straight away.

These bulbs are also available in a dimmable format, with similar wattage use and the same high levels of illumination when at full power. These types of bulbs were used in the Opening Ceremony at the moment when the children were being put to bed, and the Philips Master GU10 LED Dimmable 7-Watt Bulbs are ideal for use in a similar situation around the home. Their super-efficiency means that, based on average electricity prices in the UK, savings across the long life span of these bulbs can hit more than £232.00. Many in this day and age are concerned about the environment, and this bulb can satisfy their environmental concerns as well as their budgets; the savings in electricity equate to an 80% reduction in overall energy output, reducing emissions and wasteful heat energy. The Olympic Ceremony was vast and impressive, but green credentials were not ignored in the planning of this remarkable event, and their use of LED bulbs showed commitment to the environment as well as to putting on an outstanding show.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

Market Leading Bulbs From Megaman and BLT Direct

BLT Direct is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of lighting solutions used in both domestic and commercial settings, and has built a strong reputation for providing the best energy saving bulbs around at some of the lowest prices. The Megaman range of bulbs is one of their leading products and consistently achieves the best results in both energy saving and lighting output. This extensive range covers all of the most popular bulb bases, and there is a vast array of different wattages, shapes, colours and functions.

The Megaman LED GU10 4.5 Watt in Warm White is BLT Direct’s current market leading bulb, boasting incredible energy-saving statistics as well as long life span and high lumens. This bulb can achieve 40-watt equivalence from just 4.5 watts, and possesses many other advantages over standard halogen or competing LED light bulbs. The 30,000 hour life span surpasses almost any bulb currently on the market, the warm white colour tempe rature is bright and inviting and the 2-pin base fits many existing fittings in homes or businesses. Perhaps the most astounding statistic is the potential electricity savings; in the life span of one of these bulbs, prospective savings stand at £145.80 per bulb – huge savings considering the prices of the bulbs. Just one of these bulbs is available for £8.99, savings of 36% on the recommended retail price, or a box of ten is available priced at £84.99, taking savings to almost 40%.

In Megaman’s premium range, there is a wide selection of dimmable light bulbs, which contribute even further to energy-saving and an environmentally-friendly approach. The flicker-free operation provides smooth and consistent lighting, whether it is lit at 10% or 100%, and the GU10 base will be familiar to many who already use dimmers in the home. Great for creating mood lighting or for use in rooms where it can be combined with natural daylight, these dimmable bulbs are available from BLT Direct for just £12.99.

Also featuring in the premium range is the Megaman Energy Saving GU10 11-Watt Bulb, which is predicted to amass £88.20 worth of savings across its considerable 15,000 hour life span. Among the most environmentally-friendly bulbs available from BLT Direct, this ‘green’ lighting solution has a 117 degree beam angle and is best used for feature lighting or as a spotlight. With savings of 37% on recommended retail price when purchased from BLT Direct, and likely savings of almost £90, these bulbs are more of an investment than a purchase.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com