New Standards for Lamps Light a Path for Greater Efficiency

Seven percent of all electricity used in the United States is for lighting, the department of Energy recently announced aggressive actions to promote energy efficiency, propelled in large part by new standards for the lamps most commonly found in residential and commercial buildings.

The standards apply to general service fluorescent lamps and incandescent reflector lamps. By bringing more energy-efficient technologies to American homes and businesses, we won't just significantly reduce our energy demand, we will put more money back in the pockets of consumers.


 

Green Switch and Energy Savings

Light Composers, Inc. is proud to be southern Arizona's only certified Green Switch installer. This revolutionary product will help to reduce our energy demand and eliminate power waste. With it's ZiggBee mesh networking protocol communication it will be ready to work with the coming new smart grid.

President Obama has called for the installation of 40 million smart meters and 3,000 miles of transmission lines. That means 2009 could be the year that we finally start seeing real attention being paid to “Power Grid 2.0” — basically turning the electrical grid of the 60s and 70s into a modern network that uses microprocessors and software to work efficiently and to connect to renewable energy generation.

The new smart grid will utilize wireless sensor networks, software, and computing to enable utilities to see how much and where energy is being consumed, and if there are problems or blackouts in the network. Homeowners will be able to see how much energy they’ve consumed and adjust their consumption habits accordingly. Two-way connected smart meters will be installed in every home — Obama is calling for 40 million, but as of 2006 less than 6 percent of the U.S. population had a smart meter.

Smart meters will pave the way for real-time pricing, where energy is priced at different rates depending on the time of day and much demand there is for the electricity. Utilities can use real-time pricing to better manage the loads on the grid, while home owners can use it to cut their monthly energy bills.


 

Low Voltage But NOT Low Risk

The good news is that the electrical current flowing through low-voltage cabling such as telecommunications, security or video is not strong enough to cause a fatal electric shock.

The Bad news is there still are very real safety risks when performing low voltage installations. Unsettling shocks can occur if one is in an unsafe environment such as if they are ungrounded or standing on a wet spot. In addition, an arc in a low-voltage system has the same potential for igniting explosive materials as one in a 120-plus-volt system.

We highly recommend that the consumer hire a professional contractor that is licensed for 0 to 600 volt installations and whom has the in depth advanced electrical training needed to be certain everything is installed safely.


 

Automation can save energy dollars, make your living better!

A home or building isn't complete with out systems that control lighting, power, audio, video, communications, air conditioning/heating, window treatments and anything else you can need. We all live by a variety of lights on and off everyday so why run back and forth from multiple switches to make it all happen? Why not push one button or simply have it programed to happen for you? One button from your room when you hear a "bump" in the night can bring on many sources of illumination inside and outside your home. As the sun rises or sets, lights and window shades adjust automatically thus utilizing daylight harvesting techniques.

Today we want our audio/video at the touch of our fingers with music and video feed servers. Multi-room audio/video is the norm today and making it all work simply for you is critical. A "smart home" isn't very smart if you must struggle to make it work. How nice is it to have one touch screen remote that can literally meet your every need and be customized for your lifestyle and your home or building.http://lightcompose.com/automation.html

This is where Light Composers, Inc. excels as compared to the automation only contractor or as compared to the standard electrician. We have the credentials, the licenses and industry associations to best meet today's synchronization requirements. The layout and design of lighting, power and low voltage systems can be complex in order to make it very easy for you. Relying on multiple contractors to meet these complex needs and arrive at the optimal end product is not the best approach today. Light Composers, Inc. has an overview of the big picture and can properly design and install lighting and power systems of your home or building. http://lightcompose.com/automation.html


 

Important compact fluorescent tips

Here is some very important information that I wish to share regarding compact fluorescent lamps...

Look for bulbs with the Energy Star label, which indicates they meet at least minimal performance requirements.

Be aware that compact fluorescents can take one to three minutes to reach full brightness. This is not a defect.

Experts at Energy Star warn that turning the bulbs on and off shortens their lives, and recommend using them in fixtures “that are used at least 15 minutes at a time or several hours per day.”

The bulbs do not do as well in hot places with little airflow, like recessed ceiling fixtures. They are ideal for table lamps.

Not all compact fluorescents work with dimmers or three-way portable lamp sockets. Read labels.

Learning about “color temperature,” which is printed on the label of high-quality bulbs, can help consumers avoid disappointment with the color of the light. The warmest-looking bulbs generally have a color temperature less than 3,000 kelvins, with the harshest bulbs usually above 5,000.

Compact fluorescents contain mercury and should not be disposed of in the trash. Many chains, like Home Depot offer recycling bins for the bulbs.

If you break a bulb, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends precautions to avoid mercury exposure: Clear people and pets from the room and open a window for at least 15 minutes if possible. Avoid vacuuming. Scoop up larger pieces with stiff paper or cardboard, pick up smaller residue with sticky tape, and wipe the area with a damp cloth. Put everything into a sealed plastic bag or sealed glass jar. In most cases, this can be put in the trash, but the E.P.A. recommends checking local rules.

Keep your receipt. “Studies show that if electronics are going to fail,” the Lighting Research Center says, “it is likely to happen early on.”

 

LED lighting

In the 40 years since Earth Day was first observed, we've seen a series of products and services bring energy-saving alternatives to households around the world. From the catalytic converter, to nationwide recycling programs, to energy-saving functions in home appliances, these innovative, eco-friendly advances have enabled each of us to conserve precious natural resources and protect our planet. The latest milestone in this series is the LED light bulb.

LED or light emitting diode is the future of all lighting. While it is still in its "teenage" years it is evolving quickly to meet all of our needs at a competitive price point. All of the compact fluorescent bulbs that we now use while excellent in performance, will soon be replace by LED bulbs who's lamp life and energy consumption well exceeds that of the compact fluorescent.

Light Composers, Inc. uses LED lighting in many situations today where customers want a very long life lamp with minimal energy consumption. Areas difficult to reach or service are an ideal candidate for such products. The amount of applications is wide and exciting and rest assured, tomorrow there will be new ones. Feel free to contact us if you wish to learn how you can incorporate LED lighting into your life.


 

As our eyes age...

Starting around age 40, a person's ability to see gradually diminishes. Statistics estimate one of the 78 million U.S. baby boomers turns 60 every seven seconds. These statistics verify the projection that half the U.S. population will be older than 65 by 2032. And, according to the AARP, 90 percent of baby boomers want to continue living in their own homes as they age.

Knowing this information helps a professional lighting designer to properly illuminate a space for now and for the future as studies have shown that a 65-year-old may need up to 15 times as much light to read as a 10-year-old. It is important to hire a lighting designer that is educated in the discipline. Make certain whom you hire has the proper credentials to assure that your lighting design meets all of today's needs. Sadly, so many designers out there are nothing more than a ex parts sales person and such far from meets the needs which can be a costly mistake for you to make. Check the background of anyone you hire...