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In California, 90% of ceiling fans sold have light kits with incandescent sources and an average connected load of 120 watts.

Recent Title 24 changes marginally increase energy savings in these applications via dimmers but significant energy savings potential remains by shifting the fan lighting market towards energy efficient sources.

The California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) at the University of California, Davis and Hunter Fans have partnered to design and develop a ceiling fan system that optimizes a combination of emerging LED technology and commerciallyavailable lighting controls to create a cost-effective LED lighting kit for energy savings.

The LED ceiling fan light kit will serve as a direct bolt-on replacement for pre-existing fan systems providing a smart energy-efficient retrofit solution. The retrofit fan light kit will be comprised of an LED array, power supply, glass dome with a hanging tree, and a mounting plate.

• The LED light kit will be designed to have an output of 32 Lumens per watt (approximately 800 lumens at 25 watts). Typical incandescent kit systems usually produce less than 15 lm/W.
• Custom low profile LED driver developed by Hunter Fans and Texas Instruments.
• Pull Chain Switch allows for dimming, ON and OFF functions of the LED luminaire.

The project on LED Residential Fans seeks to develop and commercialize novel LED-based lighting kits for ceiling and exhaust fans in residential applications. Both retrofit and new construction residential applications are indicated with possible opportunities in commercial applications. Additionally, the project will explore the integration of controls systems to the LED fan systems to determine if additional energy savings can be achieved in a cost-effective manner.

The CLTC and Hunter Fan are project partners. This project is part of the latest PIER portfolio — Lighting California’s Future (LCF). LCF program information and reports: www.archenergy.com/lcf/LED-projects/ceilingfan.html

"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

Get the latest news and ideas from Caliofornia's Lighting programs:
The Lighting BLOG

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.

http://thelightingportal.ucdavis.edu/

		PIER Energy Efficiency Demonstration Program Demonstration of PIER technologies at various University of California, California State University, California Community College and Department of General Services facilities to promote emerging energy efficient technologies while assessing their performance and user satisfaction. PIER Partners: California Institute for Energy Efficiency, California Lighting Technology Center, University of California, California State University, California Community Colleges

CONTACT: Wes Morgan, California Lighting Technology Center

PIER Technical Briefs

Learn more about the latest technologies, trends, and resources in energy-efficient design from the PIER Technical Briefs that distill volumes of research into two-page summaries of the problem addressed, the solution, and the benefits of implementing that solution. These briefs are available as a free public resource.

PIER Partners: E-Source

PLS - Personal Lighting System

Finelite introduces a new line of personal lighting from. PLS achieves ground-breaking levels of sustainable design, energy-efficiency and control using high intensity white LED light sources. Its minimalist design integrates into any aesthetic.

Plus, this breakthrough system consumes about half the energy of the most efficient fluorescent task lights. It distributes light exactly where the user wants it and saves installation time and cost.

PLS was developed in conjunction with the California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC), and partially funded through the California Energy Commision (CEC) Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program.

Choose from the following components to tailor your system.

• Desk lamp: Elegant, versatile, desk lamps let users quickly tailor illumination patterns and levels to specific tasks by simply moving the fixture's head-finger-touch adjustability. Interchangeable mountings provide maximum placement flexibility. These elegant desk lamps are available in three sizes. 3, 6, and 9 watts in a sleek silver or black finish.

• Undercabinet luminaire: At only 0.8 inches tall and 2.5 inches deep, PLS undercabinet fixtures fit seamlessly under binder bins, overhead cabinets and shelving. Each fixture reveals vertical textures while evenly distributing light on task surfaces. Available in 3, 6, and 9 watts, these fixtures can be used individually, joined in continuous rows or even relocated with plug-and-play simplicity

• System accessories: Your Personal Lighting System can be customized to fit individual work areas using any combination of multiple desk lamps and undercabinet units, in groupings of up to 60 watts total power. Systems are easily configured using a standard low-voltage cabling and include an optional occupancy sensor for maximum energy savings.

Multiple Patent-pending Features

FINELITE, INC.
30500 Whipple Road
Union City, CA 94587-1530
Phone    (510) 441.1100

http://www.finelite.com

LED Fixtures
Cooper Lighting 1121 Highway 74 South Peachtree City, GA 30269		www.cooperlighting.com 770-486-5288 phone 770-486-4301 fax
Nora Lighting, Inc. 6505 Gayhart Street Commerce, CA 90040		noralighting.com 800-686-6672 phone 800-500-9955 fax
OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc. 100 Endicott Street Danvers, MA 01923-3623		sylvania.com 978-750-2213 phone 978-646-2929 fax
Schonbek Worldwide Lighting Inc. 61 Industrial Blvd. Plattsburgh, NY 12901-1908		www.schonbek.com 800-836-1892 phone 800-443-7358 fax
U. S. Weico Manufacturing Inc. 878 Towne Center Drive Pamona, CA 91767		weico-asia.com 909-621-6123 phone 909-621-6378 fax

LEDs have improved rapidly in both luminous efficacy and color quality.

LED’s small form factor make them a good candidate for downlight applications but the high brightness LED products can cause visual discomfort and the constricted thermal environment in downlights can be extremely challenging for LEDs.

The California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) at the University of California, Davis is developing a downlighting system based on indirect optical designs that will reduce direct LED glare, decrease installation time and improve thermal management. Collaborators include Architectural Energy Corporation (AEC), California Lighting Technology Center, Capri, and  Samsung.

Features and benefits include a single central power supply that  is utilized for cost savings and energy efficiency.  Low Voltage (class 2) wiring between the centralized power supply and the downlights to allow for
easier wiring which allows for easier and cheaper installations. Indirect Optics increase visual
comfort and produces a downlight with uniform brightness. Better Thermal Management  from the Indirect Optic places the LED sources in a location where they can be more easily thermally managed, which improves LED output and life. And central power supply architecture allows for easy espandability for additional downlights as well as other LED fixtures such as under cabinet fixtures.

Applicatons for advanced LED downlights include most living and working areas such as residential kitchens and hallways; commercial corridors, conference rooms and breakrooms; and hospitality locations such as restaurants, corridors and lobbies.

This commercialization research project is part of the latest PIER portfolio—Lighting California’s Future (LCF).

Components include scene controls, occupancy sensors and daylight harvesting. 

Manufacturers and integrators of advanced classroom lighting systems include:
• Finelite-ICLS
• Lutron-BalanceLC
• Lighting Control & Design
• Peerless

Limitations of advanced classroom lighting systems include the high cost of integrated systems:
    New fixtures and HVAC rerouting
    Labor intensive installation
    Commissioning to measure performance

Retrofit kit approaches can provide limited savings with a fixture-based approach, occupancy-dual circuitry and sometimes, daylight harvesting.

"Best" solutions are products that replace luminaires with high performance recessed luminaires; adding a whiteboard luminaire and incorporating teacher controls. 

Good solutions include delamping luminaires if necessary; changing lamps to high performing 3100 lumen T8 lamps; changing reflectors; changing ballasts to dimming ballasts and incorporating teacher controls.

The IOLS developed through a partnership with Finelite, and funding from the California Energy Commission's PIER Program. The IOLS resulted an LED task lighting system consisting of a family of adjustable task lights and under-cabinet lights connected to a single power module that compliments reduced ambient lighting systems.

With the LED task lighting system, users can specify the appropriate number and size of task lights and/or under cabinet lights for their specific office layout and the nature of their work. The system is easy to install, and has low-voltage wiring.

Commercialized by Finelite as the Personal Lighting System (PLS), it has an easily configured custom approach that delivers uniform illumination to task planes in a work area or office. Demonstrations of IOLS proved a 25%-59% energy savings with 4-7 years simple payback.

The Personal Lighting System is now available on the Finelite website.

LED task light		LED task lighting system in an office setting		LED task light and undercabinet lighting

Finelite Wins Silicon Valley Environmental Leadership Award

On June 3, Finelite received the 2008 Business Environmental Award for best Environmental Enterprise from Acterra, a non-profit organization that recognizes innovative environmental programs.

Lighting represents a large portion of a building's energy use. 

Take charge of your energy costs with an energy audit for your facilities. As an Energy Star partner, Everblue Energy offers a comprehensive approach to improving energy efficiency and comfort, while protecting the environment. Whether your facility is warehouse or office space, retail or cubicles, we can help you reduce your energy costs.

Audits start with a top-to-bottom diagnostic inspection by a specially-trained technician using state-of-the art equipment & computer analysis software. An audit includes an inspection of  internal processes along with an inspection of lighting, air-conditioning, heating, and other energy-intensive equipment.

Why should you conduct an Energy Audit?

• You want to increase profit


Energy savings go straight to your bottom line!  Many savings can come from behavior changes, such as encouraging creative ways to use natural light...or turn off lights and equipment at night and during downtimes.


• You want to lower your utility bills


Good lighting solutions can lower energy bills for light by as much as 30%.


• You want to increase the comfort of your space


Quality lighting can not only reduce energy costs -- but improve your team's productivity and health -- thus reducing absenteeism.


• You are planning to remodel or upgrade


Getting an energy audit before your remodel can save you thousands of dollars with rebates, incentives and energy savings.


• You want to reduce your carbon footprint and environmental impact


Reduce your environmental impact in smart ways -- you'll be glad with each passing year if we work together to keep violent storms down, heat waves down and energy costs down.


• You want to reduce American reliance on foreign energy


We can rebuild a strong American infrastructure is every building block is strong, efficient and doesn't waste precious resources.


• You want to see what rebates and incentives that you can qualify for


Many cities, counties, state and even federal departments are offering rebates and incentives to replace high consumption lighting fixtures with CFLs, LEDs and other high efficiency models.  Check with you lighting dealer, as well as your government environmental departments and utility companies to see what's available in your area.  Programs vary widely by location...and program timing.


One company that provides energy audits is Everblue Energy, Charlotte, NC 28203

http://www.everblueenergy.com/commercialenergyaudits.html

In September 2007, Cree Inc, announced it had demonstrated light output of more than 1,000 lumens - an amount equivalent to the output level of a standard household light bulb - from a single R&D LED.

Cree’s achievement demonstrates continued leadership in the development of LEDs that can make traditional light bulbs obsolete.

A single-die LED, driven at four amps, produced 1,050 lumens in cool white and 760 lumens in a warm-white version. Efficacy of the cool-white LED was 72 lumens per watt and 52 lumens per watt from the warm-white device. Both LED versions operated at substantially higher efficacy levels than those of today’s conventional light bulbs. Historically, Cree’s R&D demonstrations generally have been commercialized within 12 to 24 months.

“Cree’s XLamp® LEDs are the best-performing commercially available LEDs, but we won’t be satisfied until light bulbs are obsolete,” comments John Edmond, Cree co-founder and director of advanced optoelectronics. “We’ve worked 20 years to achieve lighting-class LED performance, and we still have plenty of ways to advance the technology further.”

For more information on Cree power LEDs, please call (919) 313-5300 or visit www.cree.com.