September 2009

In July 2009, the Department of Energy issued new energy efficiency standards for commercial general-service fluorescent lamps and incandescent (and halogen) reflector lamps. The new rules take effect July 14, 2012 and will basically eliminate products with the lowest efficiency and lowest cost. In the case of fluorescent lamps, equivalent-performance products are readily available, such [...]

Over a year ago, a group of building controls manufacturers formed the EnOcean Alliance to promote interoperable wireless sensor networks based on the EnOcean wireless standard. Today, 113 companies, including Leviton, Masco, Distech Controls, Philips Ledalite and Osram Sylvania have engineered products that use wireless and energy harvesting sensors, switches and controls. According to EnOcean, [...]

SSL blogger Kevin Willmorth argues in this post at Architectural SSL Interactive that we are holding solid-state lighting to an unrealistic standard, while ignoring the real issue: the cost of integration of solid-state lighting, such as LEDs, into products.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., has replaced approximately 12,000 standard incandescent and halogen lights in more than 150 Red Robin restaurant locations in the U.S. with new 7W GE LED PAR 20 floodlights and spotlights in general downlighting applications. The LED lamps, which emit 200 lumens, are expected to reduce energy consumption by 77% while [...]

Jim Benya, PE, FIES, FIALD, LC of Benya Lighting Design and Abby Vogen Horn, daylighting champion for the Energy Center of Wisconsin, are teaming up to present a full-day workshop: “Lighting and Daylighting Design with Efficiency” on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at the USGBC’s Greenbuild Conference in Phoenix, AZ. According to Greenbuild, “This training will [...]

Philips recently announced a commercial energy audit and lighting upgrade program aimed at replacing inefficient lighting systems currently found in 85% of existing buildings. A key element to the program, being led by the Philips Lightolier Energy Services Group, is a guarantee that the energy audit will deliver measurable energy cost reduction, defined projected return [...]

In September 2009, the Department of Energy is planning to form a Municipal Solid-State Street Lighting Consortium to collect, share and analyze technical information and experience related to LED streetlighting demonstrations. Membership will be open to municipalities, utilities and energy efficiency organizations. Click here to learn more.

Lighting designer and blogger James Bedell recently published an interesting post about design integrity–what happens after that perfect design is installed and subsequently is used and maintained over time. Check it out here.

At 55.4 lumens/W, GE’s new 23W ConstantColor CMH Integral PAR38 lamp leads the industry in efficacy among integrally ballasted ceramic metal halide lamps, compared with competitive offerings that produce 51 lumens/W and 50.8 lumens/W, according to GE. TCLP compliant. Suitable for display and ambient lighting in retail environments.