VIZIO, North America's #1 LED Backlit Television Brand Announces Entrance into High Growth LED Lighting Industry

IRVINE, Calif., June 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- VIZIO, America's #1 LED LCD HDTV company and an industry forerunner in green initiatives, announced today their strengthened commitment towards improved energy efficiency by reducing electricity costs for consumers through a new VIZIO High Efficiency LED Lighting Collection that will hit the market in late Q4, 2011.

In January of 2012, the Energy Independence and Security Act will require general-purpose bulbs to be at least 25% more efficient than standard incandescent lighting options. Recognizing this government issued need in the market, VIZIO, the #1 shipper of LED backlit televisions, will lead the lighting revolution by offering new, high performance and energy saving options to consumers. According to Frost & Sullivan's World LED Lighting Markets Report, the LED lighting market is set to see double digit growth in the next ten years (2).  The general expectation is that World Wide LED lighting will have a majority share in the lighting market by 2020.

The company's eco-friendly line of High Efficiency LED bulbs are recyclable, do not contain mercury and boasts a glass-free design to prohibit shattering.  With the longest lifespan of any source, including incandescent and CFL, VIZIO's LED light bulbs last up to twenty-five times longer than incandescent bulbs.  While LED light bulbs are known to be efficient, long lasting, cooler running, silent and do not emit UV rays, VIZIO's new High Efficiency LED lighting line will boast additional benefits.  The High Efficiency LED give off a warmer hue of light, reminiscent of a natural source, compared to many other LED options.  Additionally, VIZIO High Efficiency LED lighting has tripled the lifespan of CFL bulbs, with up to 25,000 usage hours.  

VIZIO's partners in the LED lighting space include Epistar and Seoul Semiconductor, two of the world's top 10 suppliers of LED lighting.  "This is a natural progression for VIZIO beyond consumer electronics.  We look forward to VIZIO applying its innovation, marketing and distribution channels to save American consumers even more with its new line of LED lighting," said Donald Leo, Vice President, of SEOUL SEMICONDUCTOR."  They are looking forward to VIZIO's entrance into the market with their soon-to-launch High Efficiency LED light bulbs.  

"VIZIO'S expansion into the LED Lighting market stands to challenge the convention in the same way that it has had in the flat panel television market," said Dr. B.J. Lee, Chairman of Epistar.  "VIZIO's experience in delivering quality products at an exceptional value, combined with the company's commitment to searching for the eco-friendly solutions presents an unprecedented challenge to the entire industry."

As North America's largest shipper of LED backlit HDTVs VIZIO noticed a 2000% growth in total shipments year over year, with over 2,000,000 units shipped in 2010. This shift to LED technology has significantly reduced power consumption, proving that LEDs are not just environmentally friendly but wallet friendly as well.  From 2009 - 2010 alone, VIZIO's contribution to energy savings (based on power consumption of 2009 vs. 2010 VIZIO HDTV models at an estimated savings of 280,000 MWh/year (3)) could be viewed as equivalent to the energy needed to power the city of Las Vegas for more than a year(3).  That estimated energy savings could also be translated into approximately $31,023,300 (4) in power bills for consumers, or potentially enough money to power approximately 22,000 homes for a year (5).

"Since entering the HDTV market, VIZIO has offered consumers high quality technologies at affordable prices," said Ken Lowe.  "Our entrance into the LED lighting sector is no different.  With the current market transitioning away from incandescent bulbs, there is a need for more energy efficient options.  As the leading shipper of LED backlit HDTVs in America, we see it as our responsibility to innovate an entirely new market, benefiting both our consumers and the environment."

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the residential sector general service light (A19 type) bulb purchase rate of LED will increase approximately 300% between 2010 to 2015 to 100 million units. VIZIO is a forerunner of the movement in this industry, having reduced their carbon footprint from 2009-2010, with significant energy savings by its products, and effectively continuing these efforts for 2011.  

"VIZIO has a great track record of producing energy efficient TVs at market leading prices," said Noah Horowitz, Senior Scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council.  "As many of their TVs are already using LEDs to achieve energy savings, it's a logical extension for VIZIO to enter the LED light bulb market.  We hope VIZIO's entrance to this market serves as a catalyst to increase the availability of high performing LEDs at attractive price points."

1. Based on electricity usage from 2009 according to http://www.cnbc.com/id/38149988/Las_Vegas_Puts_Sustainability_In_The_Spotlight

2.  Source: Frost & Sullivan via http://www.greenpurchasingasia.com/content/bright-prospects-led-lighting

3.  Based on VIZIO HDTV Energy Savings (2010 vs. 2009): 40.29 kWh per unit/year at 7 million 2010 annual VIZIO shipment, and average Energy Consumption for City of Las Vegas: 180,000 MwH/year

4.  Based on EIA Average U.S. Retail Price of Electricity – Residential of $0.11/kWh http://www.eia.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/table5_6_a.html

5.  Source: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/pubs/calcmeth.htm

EIA Annual Single-Family Home Electricity Consumption: 12,773 kWh/home

About VIZIO

VIZIO, Inc., "Entertainment Freedom For All," headquartered in Irvine, California, is America's #1 LCD HDTV Company.  In Q2 2007, VIZIO skyrocketed to the top by becoming the #1 shipping brand of flat panel HDTVs in North America and in Q3 2007 became the first American brand in over a decade to lead in U.S. LCD HDTV shipments. Since 2007 VIZIO LCD HDTV shipments remain in the top ranks in the U.S. and were #1 for the total year in 2009 and 2010.  VIZIO is committed to bringing feature-rich consumer electronics to market at a value through practical innovation. VIZIO offers a broad range of award winning consumer electronics.  VIZIO's products are found at Costco Wholesale, Sam's Club, Walmart, Target, BJ's Wholesale, and other retailers nationwide along with authorized online partners.  VIZIO has won numerous awards including a #1 ranking in the Inc. 500 for Top Companies in Computers and Electronics, Fast Company's 6th Most Innovative CE Company of 2009, and made the lists of Ad Age's Hottest Brands, CNET's Editor's Choice, CNET Best of CES 2011 - Television, IGN Best of CES - Television, Bluetooth.org Best of CES, Good Housekeeping's Best Big-Screens, PC World's Best Buy, Popular Mechanics Editor's Choice and OC Metro's 10 Most Trustworthy Brands among many other prestigious honors.  For more information, please call 888-VIZIOCE or visit on the web at www.VIZIO.com

The V, VIZIO, VIZIO Internet Apps (V.I.A.), Theater 3D, Full Array TruLED, Edge Lit Razor LED, 240Hz SPS, 480Hz SPS, Entertainment Freedom and Entertainment Freedom for All names, logos and phrase are registered or unregistered trademarks of VIZIO, Inc.  All other trademarks may be the property of their respective holders.

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