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Green Jobs: Energy Efficient Lighting Market Sees Steady Growth

Submitted by Jill on Fri, 2012-04-27 12:24
 
A recent study from Precision Paragon showed that the energy efficient lighting industry has grown steadily despite the recession, and is expected to grow even stronger in 2012.
 
The survey polled over 2,900 energy efficient lighting professionals in the United States. Some of the interesting results were as follows:
 
• 68.6% reported that business either met or exceeded expectations in 2011.TCP Elite T8 Fluorescent High Bay with Cover and Fixture Mount Occupancy Sensor
 
• 68.2% predicted that their company's revenues will experience modest or substantial growth in 2012.
 
• 37.3% of respondents believed that the second quarter of 2012 would be the busiest for business, while 34.6% believed the third quarter would be busiest.
 
• 84.3% of the energy efficient lighting professionals believed that they will predominantly use linear fluorescent lighting for relighting projects in 2012, while 10.3% will predominantly use light emitting diodes (LEDs).
 
TCP LED PAR Lamps• Overall, the professionals expected that 22% of the fixtures installed will be LED-based, up from 9% in 2011.
 
These results show that the energy efficient lighting industry is experiencing steady growth, and that LED lighting is gaining popularity. This has positive implications for current or aspiring energy efficient lighting professionals, since the sector's growth may create new green job opportunities.

Let there be light: GE bulb from 1912 still works

Submitted by Jill on Fri, 2012-04-06 09:40

Five of the century-old light bulbs were discovered in a time capsule buried 100 years ago at GE's Lighting's Nela Park world headquarters.

Five of the century-old light bulbs were discovered in a time capsule buried 100 years ago at GE's Lighting's Nela Park world headquarters. One of them still worked.

By Martha C. White
Talk about illuminating the past. In preparation for the 100th anniversary of an industrial park in the Cleveland area next year, GE Lighting dug up a time capsule at one of Nela Park's original buildings. The capsule itself contained some artifacts like a local paper and photographs, according to Cleveland.com.

But the real find was buried in sand above the capsule: Five incandescent light bulbs, at least one of which still worked when plugged in. 

GE spokesman David Schuellerman said via email the company thought the bulbs were buried inside the capsule, making the fact that any of them survived even more remarkable. One bulb was full of water and the other had condensation on the inside, but the other three "appeared in working order,"  he said. One bulb plugged in at the site of the time capsule ceremony did, in fact, work. Schuellerman said a repeat test was done later in a lab on that bulb and it worked a second time.

 "We believe the bulb that we successfully tested was a 40-watt tungsten filament incandescent bulb," he said. Both tungsten and carbon filament bulbs were buried with the time capsule. Schuellerman said the company might test the other two bulbs once it determined what kind they were.

For now, the bulbs are in a Nela Park lab. "We’re cleaning and examining them, using etchings on the glass and written records to determine 1912 performance metrics such as light output," Schuellerman said. Eventually, the bulbs will be put on display at the GE Lighting Institute at Nela Park.

 President and CEO of GE Lighting Maryrose T. Sylvester holds up an historical brochure.

President and CEO of GE Lighting Maryrose T. Sylvester holds up an historical brochure.

Bill Bogatay opens the time capsule buried 100 years ago.

Bill Bogatay opens the time capsule buried 100 years ago.

A copy of The Plain Dealer dated Thursday, March 21, 1912 was included in the time capsule.

A copy of The Plain Dealer dated Thursday, March 21, 1912 was included in the time capsule.

A photo of the GE board of directors included in the time capsule.

A photo of the GE board of directors included in the time capsule.

Alloway Commercial Lighting Goes Big Releasing Our First Edition Product Catalog

Submitted by Jill on Fri, 2012-03-30 09:35

Since 2008, Alloway Lighting has been reinventing itself, everything from a name change, new logo and image to a brand new 18 page catalog featuring a selection of our most popular items. We are so excited about the release of this catalog and feel that it completes our transition to a full fledged commercial lighting distributor.

No longer just your mom-and-pop lighting store on the corner, Alloway Commercial Lighting has become a force on the 'Distributor' scene in the Treasure Valley. With a specific focus on lighting supplies for commercial applications, Alloway Commercial Lighting is the only distributor of its it kind in our area. Our direct relationships with manufacturers such as Westinghouse, TCP, Eiko, Texas Fluorescents and many others give us the opportunity to serve our commercial clients, ranging from business owners, property managers, building owners to electrical contractors, in a way we have never been able to before. We work diligently to stock the items you need and can't find elsewhere else or for a reasonable price. We are always working to find products you need and can't readily find locally in order to keep them in stock or make available within 5-7 days after an order has been placed. Let us know what you're looking for, you might be surprised when we have it on hand!
 
When it comes to lighting, you will not find a more skilled team of professionals in the Treasure Valley ready to serve you. Check out our new catalog and keep your eyes out for a revision, there is already one in the works! If you would like a shiny paper copy of our catalog, just let us know and we'll get one to you as quick as we can.  
 
Marc Renz
VP & Commercial Sales
 
 

LED Makes its Debut at Alloway Commercial Lighting

Submitted by Jill on Fri, 2012-03-30 08:55

Like a panther stalking its prey, we have been watching the LED market develop, transition and grow. Recently TCP, one of our favorite manufacturers, released its line of Pro-LED. This line features Par, BR, R, MR, Bayonet Elevator and A-type lamps along with a variety of specialty lamps. 

We pounced on the opportunity to bring in a selection of products which feature rated life spans of up to 50,000 hours, up to 5 different Kelvin temperatures (color) and a 5 year warranty and Energy Star rating. While we were acting like panthers, we learned that in the LED market you really do get what you pay for. While TCP products are reasonably priced we have found cheaper (in this case 'cheaper' is the correct word) products in the market. The lower priced products that you might find at big box stores or in multi-packs at well known warehouse retailers are generally priced according to reliability, so buyer beware. On the other hand there is no reason to pay more than Alloway Commercial Lighting product catalogwhat you would pay for TCP Pro LED products, they are excellent in quality and are produced by a company that can afford to stand behind the 5 year warranty. You can find these products as well as many others in our new catalog. Take a look, you will be impressed at the selection! 
 
Even more exciting is TCP's selection of LED fixtures available at amazing prices with outstanding performance results. Wall packs in various sizes and form factors, area lights and gas station canopy lights are all now available. No longer are LED fixtures in this category beyond reasonable reach for the average business. This product is priced well and has the best quality we have found available, we have samples on hand to show you. 
 
Check out pricing on some of TCP's LED Blazer wall packs, flood and spot lights and their Atlas recessed and surcface luminaires. 
 
The icing on the cake is the Idaho Power incentives given to businesses to upgrade to this equipment. If you use any of the equipment mentioned here in your facility, but in an incandescent, halogen or HID version, you should contact us to have one of our friendly representatives help you figure out what incentives you qualify for and just how much you can save on your monthly energy bill by upgrading. 
 
Marc Renz
VP & Commercial Sales

EPA Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Energy Star/ Americans saved nearly $230 billion in two decades

Submitted by Jill on Mon, 2012-03-26 16:05

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is kicking off the celebration of Energy Star's 20th anniversary by recognizing the 2012 Energy Star award winners for their outstanding leadership and commitment to protecting America’s environment through superior energy efficiency. Over the past 20 years, with help from Energy Star partners, American families and businesses have saved about $230 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 1.7 billion metric tons of carbon pollution. 

"As we celebrate 20 years of progress through the Energy Star program, EPA is proud to congratulate the 2012 Energy Star award winners," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "Thanks to their innovative thinking and commitment to energy efficiency, these leaders are helping Americans find cost-effective ways to save energy in everything we do, which is good for our environment, our health and our future."
 
The 109 Energy Star award winners were chosen from nearly 20,000 partners from across the nation. Organizations are recognized in one of four Energy Star award categories: corporate commitment, sustained excellence, partner of the year, and excellence in delivering specific promotions. 
 
Corporate Commitment: Sears Holdings Corporation is being recognized with the highest honor, the Energy Star corporate commitment award. This award is reserved for partners whose superior achievements in energy efficiency span the breadth of the Energy Star program. 
 
Sustained Excellence: Fifty-seven sustained excellence winners continue to raise the bar across their respective industries for outstanding achievements in energy efficiency. A few of these winners include: Food Lion Family, Bloom, and Bottom Dollar Food; GE Appliances & Lighting; Gresham-Barlow School District; Hanesbrands Inc.; Nissan North America, Inc.; PepsiCo, Inc.; and Saint-Gobain.
 
Partner of the Year: Thirty-six organizations are receiving partner of the year awards for protecting the environment through energy efficient products, practices and services. These organizations promote Energy Star products and practices in their own operations, and provide efficient products and services to consumers within their community. A few of these winners include: Cleveland Clinic; Colgate-Palmolive Company; General Motors Company; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; Staples, Inc.; and The Boeing Company.
 
Excellence: Fifteen organizations are recognized with an excellence award for advancing energy-efficient products, homes, or buildings and helping to expand the reach of the Energy Star program. A few of these winners include: Design Tech Homes; DIRECTV; Good Earth Lighting, Inc.; and Sharp Electronics Corporation.
 
Launched in 1992 by EPA, Energy Star is a market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of the Energy Star program and its partners, saved approximately $23 billion on their energy bills while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual emissions of 41 million vehicles. To date, more than 1.3 million new homes and nearly 16,500 buildings across all 50 states have earned EPA's Energy Star certification. Today, the Energy Star label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products with more than 5 billion sold over the past 20 years.

Bright Lights, Big City in Color Clash

Submitted by Jill on Tue, 2012-03-13 08:49
Photo: The Bank of America Tower, left, duels with the Condé Nast Building, right.

Daniella Zalcman for The Wall Street Journal

The big city has long had its bright lights, but these days it seems that bright doesn't go far enough. Manhattan buildings big and small have adopted eye-popping displays of multicolor lighting—a technicolored trend that's led to grumbling among professional aesthetes.

"With every tower thinking they deserve colored light, they should be another Empire State Building, you're starting to see everyone show up to the party wearing the same outfit," said Cy Wilson, global director of interior design for Starwood Hotels .
 
The iconic skyscraper has used light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, to change its nighttime colors since 2007.
 
In the skyline, the Bank of America and Condé Nast towers—at opposite ends of the same Midtown block—pulse through the rainbow, as does the Time Warner Center's prow. Closer to the ground, canvasses as diverse as Penn Station escalators, the Gansevoort Hotel and the Skechers store in Union Square have embraced the full-spectrum fashion.

Going Into Effect - New standards and regulations take aim at lighting

Submitted by Jill on Fri, 2012-02-24 15:36
 
2012 Federal lighting standardsWelcome to 2012, the year lighting efficiency takes center stage. From federal regulations to emerging standards affecting bulbs, lighting systems and controls, the next 12 months and beyond will present electrical contractors and their customers with change and choice.
 
The most immediate effect, though minimal for the electrical contractor, is the enactment of new efficiencies for general-service incandescent lamps. The Edison bulb, as we know it, was set to begin its initial phase-out this month with the traditional 100-watt (W) lamp; the enforcement of this ban is effectively pushed back until September. Last-minute Congressional wrangling over implementation of the 100W incandescent phase-out has created murkiness, but the fact is that the availability of the phased-out lamps will be limited to lesser known manufacturers and may be subject to quality and performance issues.
 
Barring futher Congressional action, 75W incandescent lamps will no longer be sold starting in 2013, and 60 and 40W lamps will follow in 2014. As directed in the U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, lamps must be at least 30 percent more efficient than their predecessors. It’s a mandate for manufacturers and consequently a mandated choice for consumers. Though consumers may still find 100W incandscent products on the market, they won’t be from the big three major lamp manufactuers and other well-known companies.
 
Regardless of whether the lamps are officially banned or not, the lighting manufacturers have been hard at work producing replacements for years, and more-efficient products will dominate the shelves at authorized dealers and major retailers. For instance, newer halogen--based incandescent lamps already meet the 30 percent less energy threshold. Exemptions include appliance lamps, colored lights, three-way lamps and 19 other “specialty” lights.

Jacob Sutton’s L.E.D. Surfer

Submitted by Jill on Thu, 2012-02-16 12:49

A Night-time Snowboarding Short Lights Up the Last of the Winter Snow

Jacob Sutton’s L.E.D. Surfer on Nowness.com.

The Economic Benefits of Lighting Retrofits for Commercial Facilities

Submitted by Jill on Mon, 2012-02-13 14:34

The new tax codes make the decision to relight a facility an easy — and profitable — one!

Don McDougall, Director, Engineered Tax Services (2012 Directory)
 
Lighting accounts for over 70 percent of all retrofits and remodels. Nowadays, the decision to relight or remodel a property is no longer one of aesthetics only. With the EPAct and other tax credits and deductions available, and taking into account the reduction of energy costs over time, the potential savings are substantial. The question now is how much money do you want to save? And how do you want to save it?
 
What Are the Economic Benefits for Relighting?