Eco Friendly Downlight Featured in Sunday Times from Brightgreen

An Australian company has won major awards for the production of a downlight that is safe and energy-efficient and lasts 15 to 30 years

AUSTRALIANS should be able to feel confident when installing and using any type of light fitting in their home, according to the creators of an award-winning, safe and energy-efficient downlight.

But figures from the state's Fire and Emergency Services Authority show that a faulty light fitting is responsible for at least one house fire in WA every week.

This alarming fact has prompted some houseowners to avoid using downlights altogether out of fear of burning down their home and the memories within it.

This is why Brightgreen, a subsidiary of product design company Spring, decided to develop a range of light products people can use with more confidence.

The company's most successful product to date is the D900 LED downlight. It has the same features as a 50W halogen light, including brightness (900 lumens), colour temperature (3000K) and hole size (90mm), but lasts 15 times longer - a total of 50,000 hours.

The D900 uses about 40 per cent of the energy generated by the 50W equivalent and comes with a five-year guarantee. No other Australian downlight on the market has the same guarantee. Costing $129, the D900 has an expected life span of 15 to 30 years.

Created and marketed by Perth businessmen Dave Barry, David O'Driscoll and Sean Clough, the D900 collected major awards at the Sydney DesignEX and Melbourne Design- BUILD expos earlier this year.

"We felt like the dark horses up against the likes of Osram, Dyson, Sony and Philips and it was just fantastic to receive those accolades," Sean says.

"What it means now is consumers can finally use downlights with confidence and can rest easy knowing that they're going to be safe and also last for quite a while."

All of Brightgreen's products reach a maximum heating temperature of 65C, making it less of a fire hazard than some of the halogen lights that rise as high as 250C.

The D900 is suitable for both indoor and outdoor living areas as well as a number of commercial and retail buildings.

"Power bills are going up and everyone is looking at making changes to bring down those costs," Sean says.

"By using a D900, you will not only be saving energy and feel safe in your home, but you will be supporting an Australian innovation."

The company is now based in Melbourne and has expanded into the Sydney market, although a production team remains in Perth.

"It was always our aim to expand, but I don't think any of us thought it would happen this quickly," Sean says.

"It's an industry which has so much room for growth. Lighting is one of those things which people are forever looking at as the first way of reducing energy costs."

Michael Washbourne

Visit www.brightgreen.net.au for more information.