Energy Savings with Outdoor Lighting

Most residential homes have some sort of outdoor lighting fixtures around the exterior of their home.   Whether you are using decorative outdoor fixtures or industrial light fixtures for security you can still save energy by using Energy Star rated fixtures.  The main problem that consumers have with the Energy Star rated light fixtures are their inability to dim the light and the bluish glary light out put.  These myths have really become a thing of the past. 

Compact Fluorescent Lamps or CFLs are now being offered with dimmable ballasts and the CFLs of today are offered with warmer lumen output tones.  Either way when you are thinking about outdoor lighting dimming is usually not an issue nor is a bluish tone.  When choosing outdoor lighting Energy Star fixtures should be a must.

What Lighting Brands Make Outdoor Lighting Fixtures?

There are more and more lighting manufactures jumping on the Energy Star rated lighting band wagon.  They are producing whole outdoor lighting series with wall mount fixtures, post mounts and chain hung all in the same family and finish.  Lithonia lighting has won the American Lighting Association Lighting for Tomorrow award on all three of their outdoor lighting fixture families.  Minka-Lavery Outdoor lighting has twenty-three Energy Star rated outdoor lighting families that correlate with similar families that are in their indoor lighting line. 

How Much Money Can I Save with Energy Star Outdoor Lighting?

Energy Star rated outdoor fixtures help reduce energy consumption which helps reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions that are readily destroying our Earth's Ozone layer.  The depletion of our Ozone layer has created a warming trend that will continue to melt polar ice caps that will raise ocean waters and eliminate beachside living.  As well as the ecological concerns you can save a good amount on your energy costs and on having to buy and re-lamp light bulbs.

Below is an example of how much you can save with Energy Star rated outdoor lighting fixtures.  For this example we will imagine two separate homes that are the same size.  One home will use the 9 non-Energy Star rated incandescent outdoor fixtures from the Minka-Outdoor Ardmore family and one home will use 9 Energy-Star rated CFL outdoor fixtures from the Minka-Outdoor Ardmore lighting family. 

Minka-Outdoor Non-Energy Star Rated lighting package

• (1) Outdoor Lighting Chain Hung Pendant (5x60watts) 8994-61  
• (2) Large Main Entry Wall-Mount (5x60watts) 8993-61
• (2) Large Post Mount (3x60watts) 8996-61
• (3) Medium Wall Mount Garage (1x100watts) 8990-61
• (1) Small Wall Mount Side Entry (1x100watts) 8997-61

Total fixture package cost  = $ 2,806.80 with free shipping

Total lumen output = 1660 watts

Average annual usage utilizing timers and photo cells = 1500 hours

Average Energy cost calculated at $.08 per kilowatt-hour $ 199.20

Incandescent Lamp Life = 1500 hrs, total lamps = 25 & lamp cost  = $ 1.50

Lamp Replacement cost = $ 37.50 per year

7 year energy cost, re-lamp cost = $ 1,656.90 (does not included labor to change lamps or gas used to drive to the store to buy lamps)

Total cost after 7 years = 4,436.70

Minka-Outdoor Energy Star Rated lighting package

• (1) Outdoor Lighing Chain Hung Pendant (26watts) 8994-61-PL  
• (2) Large Main Entry Wall-Mount (26watts) 8993-61-PL
• (2) Large Post Mount (26watts) 8996-61-PL
• (3) Medium Wall Mount Garage (13watts) 8990-61-PL
• (1) Small Wall Mount Side Entry (13watts) 8997-61

Total fixture package cost  = $ 3,143.30 with free shipping

Total lumen output = 182 watts

Average annual usage utilizing timers and photo cells = 1500 hours

Average Energy cost calculated at $.08 per kilowatt-hour $ 21.84

Compact Fluorescent Lamp Life = 10000 hrs

Lamp Replacement cost = $ 0.00 per year

7 year energy cost, re-lamp cost = $ 152.88 (does included labor to change lamps or gas used to drive to the store to buy lamps)

Total cost after 7 years = 3,296.18

Total Cost savings when using Energy Star rated outdoor lighting package after 7 years

Total Savings = $ 1,140.52 and you get to sleep better knowing that you are helping to save our ever so precious Earth

What is Organic Light Emitting Diode OLED

The US is the largest consumer of inefficient energy in the world.  We spend 250 to 270 billion dollars a year on the cost of that energy consumption and about 20% or 50 to 55 billion is consumed by our lighting.  Incandescent lamps are responsible for 45% of that energy consumption but only produce 14% of all the light produced by various light sources.  Research said by Optoelectronics Industry Development Association

The energy used by the US is just plain energy abuse.  We drive down the street when we can walk and our public transportation systems are not where they should be so we drive to work in a 5 passenger vehicle or SUV by our selves. Our main residential source of light the incandescent lamp is a little more efficient in heat production verses light as a candle.  This is why we are in need of alternate energy efficient lighting sources.  This brings us to the sister of the Light Emitting Diode the Organic Light Emitting Diode or OLED.

OLED and How it Works

Organic Light Emitting Diodes are thin layered 2-dimensional film sheets that emit light using very low voltage of 3 to 5 volts, kind of like thick layers of dense paper.  The OLED can be set to emit a color even white light with a high number in the color rendering index.  OLEDs can be manufactured to fit any shape or design and can be adhered to any solid substance like glass or metal.  This flexibility of design will definitely have a major impact on the lighting industry in years to come.

What are the Main Qualities of the OLED?

• Environmentally Save and Energy Efficient
• Inexpensive
• Flexible in Design
• Able to Emit any Color in the Spectrum
• Long Life

What OLED designs Exist?

This is an OLED lamp designed by Makoto Tojiki and is named the "Archimedes Dream" the full story on this design can be found at Inhabitat.

The New Liquid Nickel Artamis is Finally Here!

The long awaited arrival of the Minka-Aire Fan Artamis in the liquid nickel finish is finally here.  Minka-Aire fans are especially known for their unique contemporary ceiling fan designs and the liquid nickel Artamis proves it.  The Minka Group wanted to introduce a super high end contemporary ceiling fan design with an untouchable finish.  The packaging alone proves the quality of this product.  Check it out.

Minka-Aire Fans create the First Liquid Nickel Ceiling Fan

About a year ago Minka-Aire introduced their new liquid nickel Artamis prototype ceiling fan at the Dallas Market Center Lighting Show.  This fan went through many stages of development to finally reach the proper packaging, price and finish quality.  We received the first three about 5 days ago and have been very impressed with the final product quality. 

As you can see the liquid nickel finish is amazing!

The Minka-Aire liquid nickel Artamis has such a sensitive finish all of the blades were wrapped in foam padding and then placed in cotton sleeves for added protection.

 These cotton sleeves were of the same quality as you would see covering very expensive glasses.

Minka-Aire even included cotton gloves for the installer so there would be no damage to the finish.  This attention to detail is what makes Minka-Aire fans one of the leading ceiling fan manufactures.

Download an Easy to Use Lighting Design Software

Lighting design takes creativity, functionality and understanding the lighting and ceiling product lines you are going to use.  Having done many different styles of lighting design I have found it difficult to add exact technical data to a lighting plan by hand.  After downloading this Visual Basic lighting design software I found it very easy to produce a technical lighting plan in minutes.  This software is definity worth the few minutes that it takes to download.

What is the Future of the Light Bulb and LEDs?

Why Get Rid of the Incandescent Light Bulb?

Lighting in all forms consumes over 20% of the electricity produced in the United States according to the US Department of Energy.  If the majority of the US began to switch to the LED source for their main light out put it could cut energy costs in half by 2027.  This energy savings is equivalent to the use of 500 million barrels of our ever so precious oil.  This would drastically reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases that are creating the warming trend known as global warming. 

Light bulb life comparison:

• Incandescent bulbs - 1000hrs
• Compact Fluorescent Lamps - 10,000hrs
• Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) - 50,000hrs

Are we Ready to Make the Switch to LEDs?

The LED technology is still rapidly progressing as the costs are dropping.  Over the last two years the LEDs have doubled in energy efficiency and brightness according to the leading LED manufacture Cree, Inc.  There is some time before the LED will produce a light that will resemble the yellowish tone like the warm and comfortable incandescent lamp.  The costs of LEDs are still to high for the average consumer.  A 5.8 watt LED medium based bulb is $50.00 which is equal to a 25watt incandescent bulb that can be purchased for under a dollar at your local super market. 

The commercial industry has already taken to the LED savings, in Portland, Oregon they replaced over 90% of all their traffic lights.  In 2001, this Energy Savings Project cost Portland 2.2 million dollars and had an annual energy and maintenance savings of $ 400,000.00 this would have a net payback with in less than 3 years.  As well as there cost savings Portland has reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced accident liability from burnt out lamps and reduced added waste from burnt out lamps in their landfill areas.

How will Compact Fluorescent Lamps fit in to the Energy Wise Trend?

I believe the light source of choice over next 3 to 7 years will be compact fluorescent lamps.  Compact fluorescent lamps are about at the right price and the color tones of the light emitted is getting very close to that of the incandescent replacement.  There is currently a variety or decorative light fixtures for residential applications and the energy savings is currently five times that of incandescent.  CFLs are definitely a step in the right direction.  What changes can you make now to increase energy efficiency in the lighting in your home?

Lutron Introduces the Skylark eco-dim Control

Lighting and ceiling fan manufactures are becoming more and more concerned with the future of the Earth through energy savings by manufacturing products that reduce energy consumption and reduce waste.  Of course they understand that they are tapping into a new energy conscious market of consumers as well.  Introducing money saving products sells, I would say. 

Lutron Electronics has introduced incandescent light dimming controls that when in eco mode saves 15% energy and extends lamp life four times as compared to a standard switch.

Lutron Introduces the Skylark Eco-Dim Light Dimming Control

The Skylark eco-dim by Lutron Electronics ships to you already in eco mode ready to save 15% energy as soon as it is installed.  Installation usually does not take more than 15 minutes.  Lutron only offers two eco-dim controls the Skylark single pole white wall and the Skylark 3-way white wall light dimmer.

The Sklylark Eco-Dim has the following features:

• When in eco-dim mode saves 15% energy and extends lamp life four times as compared to a standard light switch.
• Finger slider moves up to brighten the light and down to dim light
• The 3-way model can be used with a standard 3-way switch to control one light source from two locations.
• Has a normal setting to work as a standard dimmer to access full light intensity

Energy Star Offers an Advanced Lighting Package

Energy Star Lighting Rules

• Lighting fixtures must offer the same or more light while using two thirds less energy than incandescent fixtures. 
• They must last at least 10,000 hours or about 7 years without changing the light bulb.
• They must make bulb replacements that plug in rather than that screw in so that people cannot put incandescent bulbs back in the fixture.

What exactly is the Advanced Lighting Package?

Prestigious Lighting for a Beautiful Custom Home

In our industry we have a select group of lighting connoisseurs that only want the best that lighting has to offer.  These customers make up the niche of the high end custom build homes.  These customers hire interior designers and lighting designers who are looking for the best flooring, wood work, windows, stone, pools, landscaping, lighting fixtures and ceiling fans.  This particular home wanted only the finest traditional lighting available so their Designer Innovative Interiors out of Ormond Beach Florida selected Fine Art Lamps all the way around. 

How to Light the Dining Area

Starting with the dining room Innovative Interiors Kim Maholias selected a Fine Art Lamps pendant bowl with matching wall sconces. 

This combination of adding wall sconces in the dining area helps add ambient light so the main pendant light is not to glary.  The Lighting designer also added four recessed fixtures to help add an additional light source. 

 What Lighting to use in the Study

The study, office or library usually are a quiet classy place resembling an old world atmosphere.  The main lighting fixture used in this two story library office was an old world Fine Art Lamps pendant.  This fixture truly felt like it belonged in a presigious library. 

How to Light a Grand Stairwell?

As we move our way through this custom home that is sprinkled with hand stained crown moldings, corbels and murals we come to the grand stairwell.  The grand stairwell is an important part of marrying the first floor with the second floor.  The designers decided to use a completely different Fine Art Lamps series with hand woven silk shades in a classic traditional design.  They coupled an elongated hanging chandelier with two wall sconces in the same series.

What Lighting Fixtures in the Kitchen & Nook areas?

The kitchen is an area for entertaining guests and an area for waking up with the family.  It is always great to have enough light to perform cooking tasks and at the same time have the ability to dim all the light sources to a more intimate setting.  For this kitchen area we used recessed fixtures, under cabinet lighting and a beautiful Fine Art Lamps island light from the Epicurean Collection.  This combination made the kitchen a great place for entertaining and cooking for a king.

In the nook the interior designer selected a three light Fine Art Lamps fixture also from the Epicurean Collection, some people call this the upside down boobs light.  We also used two wall sconces in the nook so that the main fixture could be dimmed and not seem so glary.

In the Master Bedroom & Master Bath we kept it Formal & Elegant

Most home owners want to dress the master bedroom & master bath up a little better than the rest of the home so that it feels like the king and queen reside here.  With the right combination of classy dimmable bathroom lighting you can make any master suite feel like a palace.  In the master bedroom area our designers used two Fine Art Lamps fixtures from the Castile Collection creating an elegant glow from the top of this 16 foot cathedral ceiling.

In the master bath the designers combined recessed fixtures, vanity lights and medium sized fixture over the tub.  These fixtures were all chosen from the Fine Art Lamps Stile Bellagio series.  The combination of these fixtures created a high class feeling in this area.

The Powder Bath is a Great Place to Impress Guests

When entertaining guests it is always great to have an impressive powder bath for them to use.  The ideas from the interior designer and the lighting designer left the powder bath with an impressive display of color and light.  The light wall sconces used were from the Fine Art Lamps Brighton Pavilion Collection.

What Outdoor Fixtures Should you use in Coastal Areas?

This beautiful custom home is located on the beachside directly on the Halifax River were the corrosive salt element is the biggest threat to any outdoor lighting products.  Our interior designer and lighting designer wanted to put up outdoor fixtures that were classy and could with stand the harsh out door enviroment.   We used the Melissa Lighting Parisian Collection with an added textured paint finish.  When selecting outdoor fixtures by the coast extra protective coatings are a must and the fixtures should still be rinsed with fresh water as frequently as possible.

What Makes Up an Energy Star Light Fixture or Ceiling Fan?

Many lighting and ceiling fan manufactures are beginning to understand the growing concern for reducing the use of non-renewable energy consumption.  Non-renewable energy sources are coal, oil and natural gases.  These sources are becoming more expensive, they will soon run out of supply and the conversion from the raw product to energy is harmful to the earth. 

Energy Star products are the answer to reducing the use of these non-renewable sources that are becoming more and more harmful to the preservation of our Earth.  There is an Energy Star residential light fixture program that has this nationally recognized label that you should look for when purchasing energy efficient lighting.  Lighting fixtures that have earned this Energy Star Label combine high performance, quality, attractive design, and the highest levels of energy efficiency, so they save money on utility bills, and help protect the environment.

How Light Fixtures Qualify as an Energy Star rated Product?

• These light fixtures offer the same or more light while using 2/3 less energy than a similar incandescent fixture.
• They must include a pin-based Compact Fluorescent Lamp that can not be replaced with an incandescent lamp.  These CFL's must offer light for at least 10,000 hours, or about 7 years before relamping. 
• The lighting families should come in hard-wired and portable lamp models, including a variety of desk and table lamps, torchieres, chandeliers, bath vanity fixtures, flush mount light fixtures, and outdoor fixtures.
• These light fixtures provide a safe, cool alternative to incandescent and halogen fixtures.

What Light Fixtures to use High End Showcase Home

Beautiful lighting fixtures are becoming more of a priority in the high end custom home industry.  Olsen Custom Homes hired our lighting design team to help select and place all of their lighting fixtures and ceiling fans in their premier showcase home.  These custom built showcase homes are what high end custom builders use to show off their best work.  We have taken pictures of every room in this home so we can share it with you. The pictures are compliments of the talented graphic designer Dale Roberts

This is another picture of the Kitchen Lighting showing all of the different types of light sources we used.  We used recessed lighting to create an easy to control general lighting.  The decorative island pendant is part of a pen shell series by Metropolitan with matching bar pendants to match.  The xenon under cabinet lights are used to off set the shadowing from the light above when performing tasks on the counter top.

Family Room Lighting done Right

In the showcase family room we used four different types of light sources to complete the well lit atmosphere.  The Adare ceiling fan by Minka Aire Fans has the same pen shell glass used on the decorative light fixtures in the kitchen lighting.  This ceiling fan comes with dimmable up lighting and down lighting to help create different moods.  We used recessed fixtures in the elaborate tray ceiling and in the inset walls by the fire place.  This combination of all dimmable lighting will give you complete control of the mood in this room.

What Type of Lighting for the Theater?

The wall mounted sconces are of the same pen shell series that were used in the kitchen and family room.  The sconces create the perfect home theater mood when dimmed while watching a good movie.  We used recessed lighting as the main dimmable ambient lighting source.  Step lighting was used so that you can have floor lighting during the movie with out obstructing the integrity of the movie.

Wine Cellar Lighting

Most wine cellars tend to be in smaller darker rooms that are climate controlled.  We used a Metropolitan pen shell series pendant with a matching wall sconce.  Both the pendant lighting and the wall sconce lighting are dimmable so you can create the intimate wine cellar mood.

 

 

 

How to Complete Your Master Bathroom Lighting

Bathroom lighting is one of the most important rooms to light right in your home to assure that women look beautiful and men shave all the hairs necessary.  We used a mini chandelier over the tub from the Minka-Lavery Jessica McClintock lighting series and the matching vanity lights on the mirrors.  The Vanity lights use four 100watt bulbs creating enough light to perform any type of grooming.  We also used recessed lighting and a table lamp for general ambient light.

Master Bedroom Lighting

In the master bedroom we added the Salon Grand ceiling fan with medallion that matched the master bathroom mini chandelier and vanity lights.  Again the recessed lighting was used for general ambient light.  The bedside table lamps are great for reading controllable from either side of the bed.

 

How to Light the Dining Area without Glare?

The main problem with dining room lighting is to much glare from a single chandelier.  To solve this problem we use recessed fixtures in the side mantel and wall sconces in the same pen shell series that we used for the chandelier. All of these light sources would be dimmable to create an intimate dining mood.

 

How to Prevent Salt Corrosion from Destroying Outdoor Light Fixtures

If you live with in three miles of a brackish or salt water body of water than you know what happens to outdoor products of any kind.  Living in coastal Florida areas will teach you this valuable lesson.  Outdoor light fixtures take a beating when installed in these areas that is why it is important do find the right light fixtures for the right areas.   

What Outdoor Light Fixtures are Made of?

Outdoor light fixtures are made up of different materials and different qualities of those materials. 

Below are five examples of the main materials used in outdoor lighting fixtures.

• Spun Aluminum casts were the aluminum is made of recycled auto transmissions this cast usually has reminisces of lubricants in the cast.  These impurities in the aluminum cast make the fixture break down faster especially if in coastal areas.  Usually found in cheaper outdoor light fixtures.  Life expectancy is 4 months to 1 year.
• True Aluminum casts are made with raw aluminum with no supplemental materials in the cast.  This is still not the best product for costal areas but it will last longer than spun aluminum casts especially when there is an added textural powder coat finish added.  Life expectancy of non-textured is 1.5 years to 3 years.  Heavy-textured or marine coated is 3.5 years to 7 years.
• Solid Brass outdoor light fixtures stand up well to salt corrosive environments.  The raw solid brass material will patina with age but must be rinsed to control salt build up.  The solid brass outdoor fixtures can come in different finishes like bronze and brushed nickel made by creating a chemical reaction.  Life expectancy is 4 years to 7 years.
• Solid Copper outdoor fixtures are made of raw copper and will last in salt corrosive environments.  Solid copper light fixtures patina very well with age, better than any of the other affordable raw materials.  These outdoor fixtures should still be rinsed frequently.   Beware of the copper plated aluminum outdoor fixtures they will not last.  Life expectancy is 5 years to 10 years.
• Ceramic outdoor fixtures are truly the best outdoor light fixture available.  Ceramic light fixtures do not rust or patina even in salt corrosive environments.  The quality of the kiln fired glaze or painted finish will be dependant on the life of the exterior of the product.  Usually the rivets on the internal parts will disintegrate before the paint flakes.  Life expectancy is 8 years to 15 years. 

Outdoor Light Fixture Maintenance

All outdoor light fixtures need to be maintained and cleaned to preserve the life of the product.  Imaging if you never washed your car how it would look in two years especially if you lived beachside.  If you plan on installing outdoor light fixtures in a salt corrosive area then you want to make sure you can rinse the fixture with fresh water at least once a month.  Rinsing the light fixture will remove salt build up, if you can not rinse the fixture use a damp cloth to remove excess salt build up.

Another main concern with outdoor fixtures is bird droppings.  Bird droppings contain an acidic component that will break down the paint finish if not rinsed off with fresh water.

Aged Outdoor Light Fixtures in Eleuthera, Bahamas

True Aluminum outdoor light fixture with no texture added after 6 months on the ocean in the Bahamas  

True Aluminum outdoor light fixture with a textured finish after one and a half years on the saltwater intercoastal water way

Ceramic outdoor light fixture after one year on the ocean in the Bahamas

As you can see the winner is the ceramic and the textured aluminum outdoor light fixtures.  I wish I had some aged solid brass and solid copper fixtures to show but this will have to do for now.

Why Dark Sky Products Help Find Killer Asteroids

We all should know that asteroids are continually traveling through space usually at a rate of twice the speed of a bullet with no certain destination.  In the recent past small asteriods have had direct impact with the earth and larger astriods have had near misses.  These asteriods are from the size of a pebble to the size of 18 miles in diameter or larger.  These asteriods also have different types of density some are hard (identified with their fast rotation speed) and some are porous (identified by their slow rotation speed). 

Being able to see and identify these astriods is imperative to understanding how to destroy them if the Earth is in their direct path.  Mainly because a direct hit by a large asteriod could devastate our planet as we know it.  This is where the International Dark-Sky Association efforts have a great impact on future asteriod threats to our society. 

Why Reduce Light Pollution?

This is only one of the reasons why reducing our Light Pollution is so important.  Light Pollution makes it more difficult to for NASA scientists to view these asteriods with their powerful telescopes.  A sky clear not needed lighting would allow NASA to view the density of these asteriods. 

Tests have proven that hard asteriods can be destroyed by a direct hit with the appropriate missile but the more porous asteriods would absorb the blow and continue its path possibly the Earth.  Light Pollution affects us more than we know. 

How Can You Help Reduce Your Light Pollution?

Lighting manufactures are continually making Dark-Sky rated lighting products to reduce Light Pollution.  One of the most Dark-Sky and Energy Star conscious lighting manufactures is the Minka Group Lighting Family.  Minka Outdoor Lighting has three Dark Sky compliant families of lighting. 

These lighting fixtures can easily replace existing exterior fixtures in minutes to help reduce the over abundance of light pollution.  Every little bit we can do to help ensures a better world for our children and our children's children.