The seventh annual Lighting for Tomorrow competition recognized the best-designed energy-efficient lighting products in the residential market. This year resulted in several unique winners given the many changes made to the 2009 entry categories, as Lighting for Tomorrow challenged manufacturers to push the envelope by hosting the first ever fluorescent dimming competition and expanding the range of eligible solid state lighting (SSL) applications. The 2009 judging panel reviewed a total of 74 products that use energy-efficient lighting technology, 43 SSL models incorporating LEDs and 31 fluorescent dimming entries.
Two grand prize winners were selected: past winner Cree LED Lighting for its High Output 6-Inch Downlight and Philips Color Kinetics for its eW Cove Powercore. The remaining awards were to acknowledge the successful incorporation of important design considerations and each product received a special focus award for its different strengths. New Jersey-based MaxLite received a special focus award for light distribution with its LED Architect Flat Panel. Lightolier earned a special focus award for versatility for Calculite Solid-State. Newcomer Creative Systems Lighting received a special focus award for ease of installation for its Eco Counter product. Cree LED Lighting also received two special focus awards for high efficiency and technical innovation for its high efficacy 6-inch downlight and SSL track fixture, respectively.
Of the 12 companies that competed in the fluorescent dimming competition, 5 different manufacturers were recognized. American Fluorescent received three separate awards: the Genesis sconce was awarded the grand prize in the moderate price category, the Portman linear flush-mount was selected as a winner, and the Madison pendant received an honorable mention. Ivalo Lighting Company’s Aliante sconce received a grand prize award in the high-end price category and requires a custom dimmer to achieve high quality dimming. California-based, Designers Fountain linear fluorescent Versa-LUX dimming fixture was recognized as a winner. Philips Lighting Company won in both the dimming CFL and reflector lamp categories. Cherry Tree Design, from Montana, received an honorable mention for its Cirrus fixture.
Awards were presented at the American Lighting Association Annual Conference in Palos Verdes, CA on September 15, 2009. The competition is designed to stimulate the market for attractive, energy-efficient residential lighting fixtures that use a fraction of the electricity of standard incandescent fixtures. By encouraging new designs and technologies, Lighting for Tomorrow aims to increase market acceptance and awareness of the growing opportunities in energy-efficient lighting.
Winners will be showcased in four publications: 1) a Dimming Brochure featuring the fluorescent dimming fixtures and lamps, 2) a SSL Brochure, highlighting the LED-based winners, 3) a new construction brochure aimed at home builders that highlights products they may be interested in, and 4) a consumer brochure providing a quick snap shot of the highest scoring products.
Click here to learn more about the competition and the winning products.
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