New Home Project: Remodel Recessed Lights

Lighting Projects No Responses »
Jan 052012

electrical project New Home Project: Remodel Recessed LightsWelcome to this fifth blog post of my New Home Project series. This series of posts reviews the lighting projects that I have undertaken in my new home since moving in to it in September 2009. To be honest, most of these projects have been completed some time ago. It was my goal to write a post after each project, but time just gets away from you sometimes. I cannot believe that it has been over 2 years since moving into my home.

This project involved adding seven 4-inch recessed cans throughout the first floor of my house.

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Posted by Chris Johnson on January 5, 2012 at 9:11 am Tagged with: , , , , ,

Featured Lighting Project from Los Angeles

Lighting Projects No Responses »
Oct 072011

There’s a beautiful exhibit in the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles this month, and we are proud that our display lights are showing off the photography! The exhibit is called Golden States of Grace: Prayers of the Disinherited, and it presents photographer Rick Nahmias’ exploration of faith communities in California that are outside mainstream American society. If you live in LA, be sure to check out the exhibit, which will last until November 13.

Photos from the event are below, depicting our MR16 Halogen Flexible Display Lights in action.  Continue reading »

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Posted by Emily Widle on October 7, 2011 at 9:53 am Tagged with: ,

My Search for a New Light Bulb

Light Bulbs 3 Responses »
Sep 192011

light bulb My Search for a New Light BulbAs most of us now know, the traditional incandescent light bulb invented over 100 years ago is being phased out over the next couple of years. To learn more about the incandescent phase out, or if you are like “What?!”, make sure to check out our coverage on the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007) – aka “the incandescent phase out”.

Whether or not you agree with the law, and there are plenty of opinions both for and against, it is coming. In fact, the first phase starts this January 2012 when the 100-watt incandescent light bulb will no longer be able to be manufactured or imported. In January 2013 it will be the 75-watt light bulb and in January 2014, the 60-watt and 40-watt light bulbs.

So, knowing this is coming, and knowing that I have a lot of light bulbs in my house that will need to be replaced, including 100-watt ones, I decided to start exploring my options and figured I would share them with you.

What did I learn?

  1. There are options available now.
  2. There is no one option for me. I will be using different technologies based upon my needs and wants.
  3. GE makes a very cool hybrid light bulb which is part halogen and compact fluorescent that I am now using.
  4. There are halogen replacements for incandescent light bulbs…did not know this.
  5. Philips has a very cool, very awesome, somewhat expensive, LED light bulb called AmbientLED. I wish I could afford many of these because they work very, very well.

Now on to the story…

Continue reading »

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Posted by Chris Johnson on September 19, 2011 at 2:20 pm Tagged with: , , , ,

The Link Between Color Rendering & Buying Shoes: A Case Study

Thoughts on Light No Responses »
Aug 042011

Shoe Display at House of Fraser The Link Between Color Rendering & Buying Shoes: A Case StudyWhen it comes to designing enticing displays in retail stores, there’s a lot more that goes into it than deciding where the “Sale” sign should go. Studies have shown that buying decisions are affected by store layout, lighting, music, and even scent.

The Smell & Taste Research Foundation in Chicago has conducted a number of studies evaluating how certain scents can impact mood and perception. One study placed an identical pair of Nike sneakers in two identical rooms – except one was sprayed with a mixed floral scent and one was odorless. When shoppers filled out surveys evaluating the sneakers, a whopping 84 percent said they preferred the sneakers in the floral-scented room, and that they’d pay about $10 more for them. Clearly, sensory perceptions affect our opinions on products.

Lighting, of course, has a significant impact on retail display as well. A recent study published in LEDs Magazine indicated that the degree of color rendering in a display may have an impact on sales.   Continue reading »

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Posted by Emily Widle on August 4, 2011 at 9:13 am Tagged with: , , , ,

A New Player in the Light Bulb Game

Lighting News No Responses »
May 102011

vu1corp lamp A New Player in the Light Bulb GameAs the incandescent phase out rapidly approaches, light bulb manufacturers are focusing on developing quality alternatives for the familiar incandescent light bulb.  Last month, General Electric announced a new “hybrid” light bulb that will combine the efficiency of a compact fluorescent with the instant brightness of a halogen.

Now, a New York based company is joining the alternative light bulb battle.  Vu1 Corporation has developed a lamp based on the same technology used in picture tube TVs.  Inside the lamp, a stream of electrons is fired at phosphors coating the inside glass.  Those phosphors illuminate to create high-quality light that lasts about 10 times longer than a traditional incandescent light bulb.

According to the New York Times, Vu1 Corporation’s potential success lies in the fact that its light bulbs are less expensive than LEDs, yet comparably energy-efficient.  However, industry experts claim the price of LED lamps will continue to fall within the next couple of years.  Vu1 Corporation’s value proposition may be short-lived.

Currently, the company’s website only offers a 65-watt-equivalent reflector lamp (for ceiling installations).  They plan to expand their selection in the future.

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Posted by Emily Widle on May 10, 2011 at 9:01 am Tagged with: , , , ,

Hybrid Light Bulbs

Lighting News No Responses »
Apr 082011

hybrid light bulb Hybrid Light BulbsGeneral Electric announced it will be releasing a unique new light bulb on Earth Day.

Apparently, “hybrid” will not just be all about cars anymore.

This light bulb is a combination halogen-compact fluorescent (CFL) built inside a glass bulb shaped like a traditional incandescent. GE is calling it a hybrid-halogen CFL, and advertising it as “three bulbs in one.”

The instant brightness factor makes our new hybrid halogen-CFL more versatile than other CFLs. Simply flip that light switch and it’s at your service – immediately.” Kristin Gibbs, general manager of consumer marketing, GE Lighting

The light bulb will be available in GE Energy Smart, Soft White, and Reveal bulbs, price between $5.99 and $9.99.  Add it to the list of replacement contenders for the standard incandescent light bulb, which will be phased out beginning January 1, 2012.

Will you be buying one?

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Posted by Emily Widle on April 8, 2011 at 11:18 am Tagged with: , , ,

The Replacement Contenders: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 4

Lighting News 2 Responses »
Mar 242011

On the bench The Replacement Contenders: The Incandescent Phase Out, Part 4This post is part of our week-long series about the upcoming incandescent phase out as a result of the EISA 2007.  If you haven’t been reading so far, check out Parts 1, 2, and 3!

One of the biggest misconceptions among the public and news media is that compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are the only replacements for incandescent light bulbs.  It couldn’t be farther from the truth.

There are currently at least three widely-known technology options that can replace incandescent light bulbs and deliver the required higher efficiency, and more innovative technological options lay just around the corner.  Three other light sources that are lesser known and not discussed below are cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs), induction lamps, and electron stimulated luminescence lamps (ESL). Continue reading »

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Posted by Emily Widle on March 24, 2011 at 10:00 am Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Top 7 Kitchen Trends for 2011

Lighting News No Responses »
Mar 102011

Shaker Style Kitchen 300x202 Top 7 Kitchen Trends for 2011Every year, designers from the National Kitchen & Bath Association gather to report the trends they are seeing in current projects and predict styles for the rest of the year.

It’s essentially a forecast for the remodeling industry!  Here are the kitchen trends straight from the NKBA survey:

  1. Dark natural finishes in countertops, cabinets, etc.
  2. “Shaker style” kitchens. Named after the religious sect known for their prominence in New England in the late 1700s, Shaker kitchens are based on the premise of simplicity.  Cabinets look clean, simple, and sturdy; and are typically recessed panel doors accented with simple hardware.  Shaker kitchens have a good deal of storage space to minimize clutter on countertops.Wood floors with rustic grains/color variations also create the old-fashioned look.  The move back to Shaker-style kitchens indicates that ornate looks (think Tuscan, French country styles) are fading away.  Why?  Designers say this stems from a desire to think about resale value.  Apparently, the simple look is more marketable to future buyers. Continue reading »
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Posted by Emily Widle on March 10, 2011 at 12:05 pm Tagged with: , , , ,

Are You One of the 36%?

Lighting News No Responses »
Jan 052011

hands up Are You One of the 36%?

One of the challenges with the upcoming federal phase out of incandescent light bulbs is public awareness.  How do you convey to millions of consumers that one of the most universally used products out there will no longer be available for sale?  More importantly, how do you communicate alternative options before the phase out begins?

Last week, OSRAM SYLVANIA released survey results reporting that 36% of Americans are aware of the upcoming incandescent light bulb phase out.  Last year, that number was 26%.

While public awareness is clearly increasing, the majority of Americans still have not heard about the legislation that will ban most traditional incandescent light bulbs by 2014.  Continue reading »

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Posted by Emily Widle on January 5, 2011 at 10:00 am Tagged with: , , , , ,

Light After the Incandescent Bulb Ban

Lighting News 4 Responses »
Nov 172010

Old incandescent bulb Light After the Incandescent Bulb BanThe incandescent bulb ban is quickly approaching.  California will be the first state to ban the 100W incandescent light bulb, starting on January 1, 2011.

The rest of the country will begin the phase out starting in January of 2012.  Eventually, 100W, 75W, 60W, and 40W incandescent light bulbs will all be banned from sale.  There will also be minimum energy efficiency standards for existing incandescent bulbs.

The phase out is a part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which is meant to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.  But Americans have been lighting their homes with incandescent bulbs since Edison patented his design in the 19th century.  What will light after the incandescent bulb ban look like?

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently published a brochure explaining the various options for replacing incandescent bulbs (halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs, and solid state bulbs).  They even included an illustration of a U.S. household with lighting suggestions for each room to replace old incandescent bulbs.  Check out the brochure for details, it’s very helpful!  Also, feel free to weigh in by commenting below:

Will you “go green” early and start switching out your incandescent bulbs?

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Posted by Emily Widle on November 17, 2010 at 1:00 pm Tagged with: , , , , ,
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