In lighting news…
Over the past month, I’ve seen so many smart-controlled energy efficient light bulbs popping up on the market, growing what Forbes.com calls “The Internet of Things,” in which objects (and not just people) communicate over the web. Each light bulb has an Internet IP address that you monitor wirelessly with a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Some popular models include LIFX (featured on Light Reading earlier this month), and Philips’ Hue coming to Apple Stores tomorrow, October 30!
According to ThinkProgress.org, New York City was the first U.S. jurisdiction to publicly post energy efficiency information for its building stock last month. A series of mind-numbing spreadsheets might not seem so exciting at first, but this is a key step in establishing energy transparency in the real estate market.
In lighting tips…
Speaking of energy efficiency, have you seen the new Home Advisor from EnergyStar.gov? It’s an online resource that gives you detailed information on just about every way you can save energy at home. All you have to do is answer a few simple questions (Where you live, how you heat/cool your home, etc.) and they’ll give you a list of everything you can do to save a little more power.
Lighting.com published this article earlier in October about how to use LEDs at home. Today, many still won’t go near these newfangled lovelies, convinced of their poor quality. However, with recent advancements in LED technology, the light’s biggest challenge is to change the public’s perception. Perhaps we’re afraid of LEDs in our homes because they’re not what we’re used to. But if you give them a chance, LEDs might just surprise you.
House on the market? This post from Freshome has found 10 things you absolutely shouldn’t do when trying to sell your house. My favorite: NEVER show prospective buyers a poorly lit home. They’ll just wonder what you’re trying to hide. Strive for something like the image below…
Other cool stuff…
In Las Vegas, the LED Classroom Lighting Initiative Project is gaining momentum, thanks to Wendy Fenner, principal civil engineer of Clark County. Fenner was inspired by one plucky first-grader with a rare condition called erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), which makes her ultra-sensitive to UV light (even the small amount emitted by fluorescent lights). UV light causes severe pain, itching, and blistering of the skin in these individuals. Prolonged exposure can even cause gall bladder and liver disease. When the school changed to LED lights, the little girl had a huge boost in energy, and stayed healthy throughout the year. You can read the full story here.
Brandon Bullis, a homeowner in Leesburg, VA created an amazing LED light show on his house just in time for Halloween. Bullis used 8,500 LED lights, and spent a year choreographing them to “Gangnam Style,” and 13 other songs. Check out the video below:
Great roundup of info showing how and why LED is emerging from specialty light source to mainstream applications. Thanks!
You’re very welcome, Lois!