LightNOW

Construction spending during December 2009 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $939.1 billion, 1.2% lower than the revised November 2009 estimate of $913.2 billion and 9.9% below the December 2008 estimate of a little over $1 trillion.

Construction spending amounted to $939.1 billion for the year 2009, 12.4% below the $1.0721 billion spent in 2008. (Note the latest figures are estimates and subject to revision over the next few months.)

Private residential spending declined 2.8% from $268.1 billion in November 2009 to $260.5 billion in December 2009, which in turn was 10.9% lower than December 2008, when spending was estimated at $292.3 billion.

Nonresidential construction declined 0.5% from an estimated $637 billion in November 2009 to $633.9 billion in December 2009, which in turn was 9.8% lower than December 2008, when spending was estimated at $702.7 billion.

Private nonresidential construction, previously declining at a rate approaching free fall, increased 0.2% from $331.8 billion in November 2009 to $332.5 billion in December 2009. Public nonresidential construction declined 1.3% from $305.2 billion in November 2009 to $301.3 billion in December 2009.

Audi’s Super Bowl commercial on the “green police” shows cops storming homes because they find batteries in the garbage and arresting homeowners because they have incandescent light bulbs installed.

It’s humorous, but unfortunately, a lot of people think this kind of thing is real.

It’s also strange that people who don’t mind trading ancient liberties such as Habeas Corpus to fee safe against terrorists get so angry about the government setting energy standards for incandescent lamps.

The video below worries me a lot more than whether the government asks me to contribute to a better society through recycling, reducing pollution and saving energy.

But hey, that’s just me.





Alumen-8’s 8-XP Series Dark-Sky Approved provides highly energy-efficient uniform, aimable fluorescent T5 or T5HO illumination with an overall luminaire efficiency of 90% for wide, even illumination of outdoor spaces. The product meets International Dark-Sky Association requirements with full 90-degree cutoff.

Luminaire manufacturer a·light has announced that it will begin building a new manufacturing facility in Southern California shortly. The building will house both of AmerillumBrands (a company I’m proud to call a client) subsidiaries, a·light and Alumen8, in the 54,000-sq.ft. building illustrated in the rendering shown here. The offices, manufacturing and warehouse facilities will be located on three acres with an ocean view 11 miles from the company’s current offices. Congratulations, George Bosson, Ron Lancial, Marya Lipiec and all the other folks at a·light and Alumen8.

Check out the month’s stories here and here.

Click here to join the nearly 13,000 lighting professionals who receive LightNOW in their in-box every month.

Subscription is free, takes moments, and we strictly respect your privacy.

There is also an option to subscribe to the Lighting Controls Association’s lightingCONTROL newsletter, which offers a monthly whitepaper about a lighting topic plus new products from leading manufacturers of controls and controllable ballasts.

According to the latest numbers from the Commerce Department, total employment for production workers in the construction industry was 3,909,000 in January 2010 (preliminary estimate and subject to adjustment), 15.7% lower than 4,639,000 workers in January 2009 and a 10-year low. The most recent peak was 6,236,000 in August 2006: The January 2010 figure represents a 25.6% decline in employment (some of which of course is seasonal). In other words, one of four construction workers employed in August 2006 are no longer working in this industry.

Time Magazine has a new story about how the construction industry has suffered disproportionately to other industries. “No industry has taken it more on the chin than construction,” writes Kevin O’Leary. “Nationally, unemployment fell to 9.7% in January, but in construction it jumped to 24.7% from 18.7% in October.”

Read the article here.

WattStopper has launched the RT-200 Astronomical Time Switch, a user-programmable time switch that turns lights, or other electrical loads, ON and OFF relative to dusk or dawn, or at selected times of day, providing energy savings and security both inside and outside the home. It is compliant with the requirements of California’s Title 24-2008 for outdoor lighting control.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

This post sponsored by

“Headlines from the Lighting World” is an informative roundup of what is going on in the fast changing world of lighting, to be held by the New York City Section of the IES.

Marty Salzberg will report on upcoming changes to the lighting power density requirements in addendum “by” of the ASHRAE/IES 90.1 standard.

Jack Bailey will report on the development of a “green code” by the International Code Council. (This standard will be in public review this year but won’t be published until 2012. I hope the Section meeting also covers ASHRAE 189.1, which has just been published.)

Deborah Taylor of the Department of Buildings and Laurie Kerr from the Mayor’s Office will report on new energy legislation recently passed by the City Council.

Where? Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, New York City
When? Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Cost? Free for members, $20 for non-members
Treats? Refreshments will be served

To register now, click here.

Lighting Control Pros, developed by two lighting control integrators at www.lightingcontrolpros.com, is a new blog dedicated to residential lighting controls. Integrators and other visitors can comment on products and reviews, and help out other professionals in the forum.

The creators also began running a Youtube show called Lighting Control Pros TV which is filmed each morning. The show covers new lighting products and practical tips related to running a lighting control business, and is pretty entertaining.

If you’re interested in residential lighting controls, check it out.

Fellow Electrical Contractor Magazine columnist Charlie Trout, a well-known expert on the National Electrical Code (NEC), devoted his entire December 2009 column to answering lighting-related code questions.

Check it out here.