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"decorative fixtures must be more than pretty objects; they must also deliver the light that is needed in a space, to the surfaces that need it, and now they must do it with a minimum of watts. If you are designing a space with a contemporary, futuristic, or jazzy feel, it's not that big a deal because many manufacturers make some acceptable attractive fixtures in compact fluorescent, LED, or (rarely) in metal halide. "
The Lighting Blog
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PIER Visibility...
The California Energy Commission’s PIER inaugural booth experienced significant traffic during the highly attended LightFair International tradeshow in Las Vegas, NV. The booth was organized by the PIER partnership model as well as many successful PIER technologies. The PIER partnership model focuses on finding market-based solutions with manufacturers, building partnerships for demonstrations, integrating feedback for product improvement, and creating a rapid, economic path to market.
The Lighting Forum:
Lighting pros can join the discussion of efficiency, design, energy...etc.
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Discuss anything related to light controls and the application and
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Human Factors
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Seminars
▶ Attaining the Certified Lighting Consultant Coveted Designation
▶ New Tax Legislation and Impact - Especially for Reps
▶ Manufacturers’ Merchandising Panel - Experts’ Tips for Showroom Use
▶ Marketing to the Baby Boomers
▶ Today’s Advanced Energy Efficient Lighting — What You and Your Sales People Need to Know to Profit
▶ Strategic Planning and Marketing Your Rep Firm
▶ Update 2008: Antitrust Issues Along the Distribution Chain
▶ Turning Shoppers Into Buyers
▶ The One Best Thing I Have Done to Grow My Retail Business (In Spite of a Tough Economy)
▶ Maximizing Line Profitability for Reps
▶ Sales Management: Turning Ordinary Salespeople Into Extraordinary Salespeople
CLC® Training Session:
Advanced Application in Lighting Design and Problem Solving for Today’s Medium to High End Home
American Lighting Association Annual Conference
- ASHRAE / IESNA 90.1-1999/2001
- LEED
- IECC
- Energy Policy Act 2005
- 2002 ECCC of New York
- Ballast Legislation
- DARK-SKY
- Energy Star
- California Energy Commission - Title 24
- NEMA
- ISO 14000
ASHRAE 90.1 was recently published under joint sponsorship by ANSI (American National Standards Institute, http://www.ansi.org/), ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, http://www.ashrae.org/) , and IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, http://www.iesna.org/). This standard is generally regarded as the definitive source of guidelines for achieving energy efficiency, and many other codes and standards (such as the latest version of the International Energy Conservation Code or IECC, http://www.iccsafe.org/) either have or are expected to adopt the requirements published under ASHRAE 90.1.
The 1999/2001 version includes several key changes from the 1989 version:
- More stringent lighting power requirements and codes written in more enforceable language.
- Required use of lighting controls for many applications (details below).
- Control points for spaces are no longer used.
- Building area power allowances (W/ft2) no longer depend on the size of the buildings.
- Area factor, a function of ceiling height and floor area, is no longer calculated.
- Exterior lighting power requirements have been simplified. Specifically, most exterior lighting power requirements are now stated in terms of minimum efficacy (lumens/watt).
USGBC: LEED
(Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design: http://www.usgbc.org/)
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating SystemTM is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Members of the U.S. Green Building Council representing all segments of the building industry developed LEED and continue to contribute to its evolution. LEED standards are currently available or under development for:
- New construction and major renovation projects (LEED-NC)
- Existing building operations (LEED-EB, Pilot version)
- Commercial interiors projects (LEED-CI, Pilot version)
- Core and shell projects (LEED-CS, Pilot version)
- Homes (LEED-H)
- Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND)
International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
Many states and municipalities have adopted portions of the IECC code as law. The IECC was formed in order to establish energy-related standards for
residential, multi-family, and commercial buildings. A major focus of
the code provisions is on the building envelope insulation and window
requirements, which vary depending on the regional climate. While the a
large portion of the code deals with the U-factor and R-factor
requirements, the code also addresses the heating, cooling,
water-heating, electrical, and lighting systems of the building.
Entire IECC document page http://www.ecodes.biz/
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT)
EPACT includes a significatnt tax deducation to encourage the use of energy efficient products through the year 2008. Lighting and HVAC/hot water systems and building envelop improvements can qualify for tax deductions totaling up to 60 cents / sq. foot for each sysgtem with a posible $1.80 / sq ft maximum.
Ballast Legislation: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office:
Consumer products; energy conservation program: Fluorescent lamp ballasts; energy conservation standards, 56739-56749 [00-24004]. Standards go into effect, they will essentially require fluorescent lamp ballasts for F40 and F96 lamps to be the electronic type. The standards will segment the market into new applications and replacement applications and extend the implementation dates to mitigate the burdens to acceptable levels. The standards provide a phase-in period of approximately five years, until April 1, 2005 for new applications. In addition, today's rule provides an additional phase in, until June 30, 2010 for ballasts intended for the replacement market. This Federal Ballast Rule covers only the following lamp types...2ft U Tubes, 4ft Rapid Start, 8ft Rapid Start, 8ft High Output.
Municipal Dark Sky Ordinances
The International Dark-Sky Association was incorporated in 1988 as a tax-exempt non-profit organization, exclusively for educational and scientific purposes. IDA operates under formal bylaws, established at the time of incorporation and revised at the annual meeting on 4 February 1989, and again in September 1990.
IDA's goals are to be effective in stopping the adverse environmental impact on dark skies by building awareness of the problem of light pollution and of the solutions, and to educate everyone about the value and effectiveness of quality nighttime lighting. http://www.darksky.org
Energy Star
ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy efficient solutions -- helping to save money while protecting the environment for future generations -- http://www.energystar.gov/
EPA partnered with the US Department of Energy in 1996 to promote the ENERGY STAR label, with each agency taking responsibility for particular product categories. ENERGY STAR has expanded to cover new homes, most of the buildings sector, residential heating and cooling equipment, major appliances, office equipment, lighting, consumer electronics, and more product areas.California Energy Commission Title 24
The 2005 Building Energy Efficiency Standards that affect residential and non-residential building standards statewide in California
California Energy Commission -- http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/
These web links can be useful in keeping up
with what is happening with California energy legislation.
http://www.energy.ca.gov/ - site for California Energy Commission
http://www.cabec.org/ - site for California Association of Building Energy Consultants organization
http://www.calbo.org/ - site for California Building Officials organization
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
Nema publishes over 400 standards, application guides and technical papers. A few helpful documents include: "White Paper on Outdoor Lighting Code Issues", "Model Outdoor Lighting Regulation" and a June 2001 publication called "Exit Sign Brightness for Visibility & Safety" which includes a review of NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code and the related standard UL924, Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment.
National Electrical Manufacturers Association http://www.nema.org/
International Standards Organization -- ISO 14000
The ISO 14000 series of voluntary standards address international environmental management systems, environmental auditing, environmental labeling, environmental performance evaluation, and the life cycle assessment. ISO is an international non-governmental organization that promotes the development and implementation for voluntary international standards. ISO consists of 112 member countries, with the U.S. represented by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
ISO 14000 is used as a condition of some customer/supplier transactions, especially in Europe and with the U.S. government. In the courts, ISO 14000 may become a standard of due care in assessing whether a company was in good faith making consistent and diligent efforts to manage its environmental impact.
Cooper Lighting provides an excellent overview of each of these energy and lighting policies and legisltation: Cooperlighting.com
Design is king. Content is king. Globalization is emperor... the analogies continue as people try to figure out trends.Today, lighting trends lead consumers to fixtures that are both functional and aesthetically appealing. Gone are the days when practicality held the lighting throne. Now, light is expected to be just as useful as a decorating accessory, as it is for illuminating. Source: American Lighting Association
Trends in lighting vary with who's buying the lighting fixtures, bulbs and control systems. In the consumer market, design is very important. Light fixtures are part of the decor of the room, and they can enhance or detract from the visual beauty and comfort of the living space.
Kitchens need great task lighting and they need to be subtle in design -- hence, recessed lighting, indirect lighting, and even solar tubes. They all provide great task lighting and don't add clutter to an already detailed room filled with cabinets, hardware, ranges, sinks and other detailed design elements.
Other trends matter:
ENERGY COSTS are growing and lighting can add up to 25% to the monthly energy bill. High efficiency lighting such as CFLs and LEDs are growing in popularity in both new construction and remodeling.
SAFETY matters. Fire rates affect safety choices, and electrical outlets, lighting certifications such as Energy Star are increasingly part of the planning process. Quality manufacturing has become a concern as cheap imports have become the norm in many shopping venues -- and the conscientious home owner is often as concerned with the LABEL as the PRICE.
DESIGN is an ROI and Lifestyle choice. If a consumer has a choice between a design that meets their tastes and one that doesn't -- design can be the tipping point. If an interior designer has the choice -- design often comes first. That's their job.
Lighting showrooms are the best way to investigate energy efficiency labels as well as design factors such as scale, quality of manufacturing, and professional guidance. The ALA offers a set of "lighting tips for the home" that can be helpful in keeping up with trends in lighting fixtures, lighting design and lighting safety.
Visit ALA's website or a local ALA member showroom for more information.
American Lighting Association
www.americanlightassoc.com
Lighting for Tomorrow is organized by the American Lighting Association (ALA), the U.S. Dept. of Energy (represented by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory), and the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE). About two dozen energy-efficiency organizations in the US and Canada have pledged more than $150,000 to sponsor this latest competition.
CFL Fixture Family Design Competition
Lighting for Tomorrow continues to seek decorative, efficient fixture families in a range of style and price categories that will meet the needs of US and Canadian consumers. However, there are added challenges for entrants in the 2008 competition. “There has been tremendous change in the lighting industry since the competition began in 2002,” said Rebecca Foster, senior program manager at CEE and a co-manager of Lighting for Tomorrow. “The 2008 competition mirrors that change by requiring CFL chandeliers to dim for the first time. We’re looking forward to highlighting the most innovative and beautiful fixtures in this year’s design competition.”
Last year’s winning CFL fixture family designs came from Sea Gull Lighting and Savoy House.
Solid State Lighting (SSL) Competition in Third Year
The first Lighting for Tomorrow Solid-State Lighting Competition, held as a separate event in 2006, attracted 30 entrants. Last year’s Grand Prize winner from among a field of 40 entrants utilized LEDs in an innovative downlight designed by LED Lighting Fixtures (LLF), of North Carolina. In addition, California-based Finelite, Inc. won in the portable desk/task and undercabinet lighting categories. Progress Lighting, from South Carolina, won in the outdoor category.
The use of white LED lighting for general illumination is advancing quickly, with new products being introduced regularly.
Lighting for Tomorrow’s 2008 SSL competition is adding a category to highlight the on-going progress in LED device innovations. The “Future LED” category will require a minimum LED device efficacy of 90 lm/W.
The deadline for entries is April 30, 2008. Winners will be announced during an award ceremony at the ALA Conference, September 14-16, 2008 in Washington, DC and will be eligible to be promoted by energy efficiency programs across the US and Canada. For complete guidelines and rules for the 2008 competition, see www.lightingfortomorrow.com.
Retail members of the American Lighting Association
ALA member retail showrooms are located across the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. These showrooms are dedicated to providing customers quality lighting products and superior customer service. They feature a broad selection of lighting fixtures, as well as Certified Lighting Consultants and Lighting Specialists.
An online directory of retail showrooms and consultant will help you select safe, quality lighting products and systems. Visit their directory at www.americanlightingassoc.com.
ENERGY STAR
Energy savings are more important than ever...and growing every year as environmental concerns are addressed and electricity prices rise. ALA
has partnered with ENERGY STAR to provide ALA member showrooms the
opportunity to differentiate themselves from their competition by
offering customers high-quality, energy saving products that help to
save energy and money on utility bills.
LIGHTING YOUR LIFE
Enhance the beauty of your home and create the mood of your choice with the many helpful tips presented in this online guide overflowing with tips that tell plainly and concisely how lighting can make a big difference in any room setting.
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Receive a FREE set of "Lighting Tips for the Home" brochures! This series of four booklets offers ideas for homeowners on how to light up your kitchens and baths, select the right ceiling fan, illuminate your landscape and cut energy costs. |
The American Lighting Association provides the linked index below that takes you to the topics you're most interest in.
- Lighting can make a difference
- Basic types of lighting
- The shapes and forms of lighting
- Lighting controls
- Light sources
- Energy savings and efficiency
- Track lighting
- Recessed lighting
Designing with light
CONTACT:
P.O. Box 420288,
Dallas, TX 75342-0288
1 800 BRIGHT IDEAS (1-800-274-4484)
www.americanlightingassoc.com
