Lighting News | Pegasus Lighting Blog

Lighting Emmy Nominees Are In! Part 1

Jul 202012

This year I’m seriously jazzed about the 2012 Emmy nominees – especially for Outstanding Lighting Design. Admittedly, I’m a sucker for theatrics (dating back to long before those college stage makeup classes and my Cirque du Soilel-level Halloween costumes) but honestly, these nominees are amazing. Here’s what the Academy has laid out for us this year:

Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety Series

So You Think You Can Dance

Last year’s winner is at it again, producing number after flashy number. Lighting designer Robert Barnhart along with lighting directors Matt Firestone, Pete Radice, and Patrick Boozer are ones to beat, for sure. Check out this dramatic jazz piece from the Season 8 finale, it’s truly unforgettable:

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What LEDs Can Do

Lighting News 1 Response »

Jul 172012

Ah…the possibilities. In our July lighting roundup, we mentioned The Clean Revolution campaign, launched at the 2012 Rio+20 Earth Summit in Brazil. The campaign is advocating a massive scale-up of clean energy and infrastructure, along with smart technologies and design. In the next 3 years, The Clean Revolution plans to raise awareness about the success of low-carbon transformations.

The great minds at The Clean Revolution recently created this informative infographic about how much energy we can save with LEDs. We think it’s worth sharing.

To learn more, visit thecleanrevolution.org.

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Pittsburgh Landmark Finds a New Lease on Light

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Jul 062012

PinExt Pittsburgh Landmark Finds a New Lease on Light

Many Pittsburgh natives fondly recall the weather beacon atop the Gulf Tower with its flashing neon lights that indicated the weather forecast. The security guard in the building’s lobby would read the weather report in the local paper and switch the lights to red or blue, solid or blinking.

However, this six story pyramid’s neon display used as much energy as 24 homes, and during the energy crisis in the ‘70s, Gulf Oil decided to turn off the lights. When the crisis was over, the lights no longer worked.

Fast-forward a few decades: the building’s owners, inspired by the Empire State Building’s LED displays, decided to reignite the much adored landmark. With new LED technology, the award-winning lighting duo Chris Popowich and Cindy Limauro have enhanced the tower’s former glory with 730 foot-long strips of LEDs that can dazzle in a rainbow of colors.

The newly named KDKA-TV Weather Beacon usually provides a detailed weather display of Pittsburgh’s current conditions including temperature, precipitation, humidity, and wind speed:

kd weather beacon Pittsburgh Landmark Finds a New Lease on Light

Courtesy of Pittsburgh.CBSLocal.com

The beacon also puts on special displays for holidays and sports celebrations.

The new KDKA-TV Weather Beacon debuted on July 4, 2012, and it was a happy and nostalgic occasion for Pittsburghers everywhere – including a few at here at Pegasus! This video shows the tower’s impressive patriotic display.

For more on this beloved beacon, read the full story here.

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Hope is Here for the Rare Earth Elements Crisis

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Jun 142012

PinExt Hope is Here for the Rare Earth Elements Crisis

Active Mining Operatons Shot Molycorp 300x192 Hope is Here for the Rare Earth Elements Crisis

Molycorp's Mountain Pass Mine, Producing Rare Earth Materials in California. Photo Courtesy of Molycorp.com.

If you’ve read any of our previous posts on the rare earth elements situation, you know that China’s stranglehold on the market has caused the prices of fluorescent light bulbs to increase dramatically.

Today, China controls more than 95% of rare earth elements—some of which are crucial in the making of fluorescent light bulbs. China’s production cap on the mining of rare earth elements is meant to crack down on illegal manufacturing, but by doing so it’s also limiting the output of the green tech industry, among others. See: Why are CFLs Becoming More Expensive? and Will the Future of Fluorescent Lighting be Shaky?

But now there’s light (no pun intended) at the end of the tunnel. According to this article on Forbes.com, an end to China’s monopoly might finally happen. It seems China’s latest increased export restrictions have caused the U.S., E.U., and Japan to spring into action.

As I write, 35 new rare earth projects are taking shape beyond Chinese borders, including mines in California and Canada. The possibilities are exciting—up to 20% of rare earth materials may be produced outside of China in less than 10 years. Additionally, domestic production of these elements has the potential to increase product innovation in the U.S., reinvigorate our manufacturing industry, and lower prices for consumers.

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Valuable Advice for the Green Electrical Contractor

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Jun 122012

PinExt Valuable Advice for the Green Electrical Contractor

Green Construction Market Growth.011 300x289 Valuable Advice for the Green Electrical Contractor

The green construction market has grown 41% or $58 billion over the past five years. Graphic courtesy of blog.softwareadvice.com.

Software reviewer Derek Singleton of Software Advice is at it again—this time letting us know just how important green skills are to today’s electrical contractors. The market for green construction has increased exponentially in the past 5 years, by over $58 billion in revenue. Any savvy contractor should take advantage of this booming (and lucrative) opportunity.

In his article, Derek details the abilities necessary to transition from being an electrical contractor to what he calls an “energy contractor.” It’s important to know how to install green energy systems in new structures, and also how to increase an existing building’s sustainability.

He addresses how to adapt to working with the following:

Solar PV (or Solar Photovoltaic) Installations
Wind Turbine Installations
Energy Auditing
Building Management Systems (or BMS)
LEED

Here’s the link to Derek’s article: Green Skills You Need to Become an Energy Contractor

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Seen & Heard At The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS)

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Apr 272012

PinExt Seen & Heard At The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS)

We were not able to attend The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Chicago this year, but we have had a lot of fun following the Twitter hashtag (#KBIS) to stay tuned in to the latest & greatest kitchen and bath products.

Here are a few photos that caught our attention:

Top Row, Left to Right: Retractable Towel Rings by Moen; Image via @HGTV. VibrAcoustic Bath Controls by Kohler; Image via @AptTherapy. Bottom Row, Left to Right: Space Corner Drawers by Blum; Image via bobvila.com. Galley Sink by Roger Shollmier; Image via remodeling.hw.net. Continue reading »

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Light Show Powered By Bikes

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Apr 252012

This is not everyday lighting design. Unless, that is, you’re accustomed to an inspirational light show accompanying your workouts.

The photo to the right is one of British lighting designer Bruce Munro’s latest exhibits. Called Star-Turn, it’s completely interactive with mechanical components powered by bike pedals. As a participant spins the pedals, tealight candles also spin to create spiraling rays of light. The exhibit consumes no electricity at all.

Recently, Star-Turn was used in a fundraiser for Help for Heroes, an organization that aids wounded soldiers in the UK. Munro’s inspiration for the exhibit:

Two years ago I was riding my bicycle in the lanes near my workshop – it’s a very good way to keep fit. But that winter afternoon it was dark and my lights had failed, and I fell off into a ditch full of icy cold cow-poop. As I got to my feet, the idea of cycling in a warm, dry, well-lit environment seemed irresistibly attractive. Almost immediately when I got home I started sketching the Star-Turn bike. - Bruce Munro, “The Inspiration”

To see more, check out his website. Here’s one more photo of the magnificent Star-Turn:

Photos via Discovery Channel.

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Time Capsule From GE Reveals Working 1912 Light Bulb

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Mar 292012

PinExt Time Capsule From GE Reveals Working 1912 Light Bulb

GE Lighting’s Nela Park Campus in Cleveland, Ohio is celebrating its 100th anniversary in April 2013. To kick off the celebration, they unearthed a time capsule this week buried in the cornerstone of one of the original buildings. Inside were photos, journals, a local newspaper, and five incandescent light bulbs packed in sand that date back to 1912.

Can you believe that one of those light bulbs worked when engineers connected it to power? GE spokesman David Schellerman said he believed the light bulb was a 40-watt tungsten filament incandescent bulb; but that it will be cleaned and tested further. Check out a video from the time capsule ceremony below:

Video via Cleveland.com

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Home Design Trends for 2012

Lighting News 1 Response »

Mar 272012

Check out this guest post about this year’s home design trends and how they have been impacted by the recent housing crisis contributed by Lucy Massey, on behalf of Empire Today. Thanks so much Lucy!

The housing crisis continues to impact us and has profoundly affected home design. Home design trends for 2012 reflect the changing lifestyles of today’s homeowners. While homes are shrinking in size, they are also becoming more livable, more energy efficient, and more accessible.

Before looking at the actual home design trends for 2012, let’s look at how Americans are living in the post-Great Recession era. Many young adults, with heavy student debt loads and poor job prospects, choose to live with their parents longer. Meanwhile, elderly parents are moving in with their grown children. Multigenerational living requires home designs featuring privacy, functional living spaces, and accessibility features. In addition, the economy and environmental concerns have made consumers more aware of energy consumption, resulting in an increased emphasis on sustainable building materials and energy efficient designs. Because the housing market continues to struggle, many homeowners cannot sell their homes despite their growing or multigenerational families. These factors contribute to the latest home design and remodeling trends. Continue reading »

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A Few Halogen Light Bulbs On The Way Out

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Mar 052012

PinExt A Few Halogen Light Bulbs On The Way Out

On the way out A Few Halogen Light Bulbs On The Way Out When the Department of Energy issued new energy efficiency standards in 2009, they didn’t just affect T12 fluorescent lamps. PAR 20, PAR 30, and PAR 38 halogen lamps will face the new standards as well. As a result, many inefficient halogen reflector lamps will no longer be manufactured or imported in the U.S. beginning July 14, 2012.

Of course, old lamps that don’t meet efficiency standards will still be available after July 14th until stock is sold out, just like with the T12 fluorescent lamp regulations.

For information on exactly which halogen light bulbs are on the way out, check out these very helpful brochures from Osram Sylvania, Westinghouse Lighting, and Philips Lighting respectively.

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