Dear Reader: One of the most important indicators of an LED lighting fixture’s energy efficiency is its Power Factor rating. While the meaning of this metric eludes some Facilities Managers, it’s really very simple as to what it means, and how it’s calculated. Power factor is the measure of how much electricity is actually being […]
How Much Electricity Converts to Lumens is a Fixture’s Power Factor Read More »
Dear Reader: We believe generally that the typical focus during an LED buyer’s due diligence is on what can be expected during the initial performance of a new lighting system – hoping that once installed, everyone will look up and ooh and aah – but with not enough importance placed on anticipated performance over the
How Long an LED Fixture Can Practically Function: Rated Life Read More »
Dear Reader: Here’s a shocker: the Rated Life of an LED is not necessarily the same as the manufacturer’s warranty. In addition to Lumen Maintenance and Rated Life metrics, the lighting system buyer should fully understand what the warranty covers – and to what specific point in a fixture’s life the warranty is in effect.
Warranties Don’t Cover Everything Read More »
Dear Reader: The buyer of a new LED lighting system engaged in her/his due diligence can be faced with a dizzying array of considerations, and in the interest of time, it’s important to – very early on – separate the noise from the key performance indicators inherent to each device, fixture or system. The operative
Lumen Maintenance: How Well a Fixture Holds Its Output Read More »
Dear Reader: Humans spend 90% of their time indoors, a big portion of which under electric lighting. This subjects us to the prospect of physical imbalances, which in turn can make us not only less happy, but less productive. Now, hold that thought. Fact: the sleep aid market has grown an average of 29% annually
Circadian Rhythms and The Use of Color Tuning Read More »
Dear Reader: Those fluorescent lamps you’re considering replacing with new LED are a toxic bomb, so we suggest you think carefully about their handling and disposition as you plan out your retrofit project. They’ve got to be handled properly, because improper handling puts your employees and their families – particularly young children – at risk.
Fluorescent’s Mercury, a Cause of Damage to Children’s Nervous Systems Read More »
Dear Reader: There are a myriad of reasons why our industrial lighting contracting company does what it does, including the altruistic purposes for which we ply our craft. The projects in which we engage inevitably result in energy reductions, which in turn has a positive impact on both human beings and the environment. The Nitric
LED’s Effect on Nitric Oxide, a Major Contributor to Respiratory Disease Read More »
Dear Reader: The more granular you can make the zoning, the more money your firm will save given reduced energy waste. Cutting the lighting system of a plant into zones can be challenging, but with a few ‘rules-of-thumb’ the task can be made to be much easier. It doesn’t matter how efficient – or inefficient
Group Fixtures Under a Single Control Behavior with Zoning Read More »
Dear Reader: LED fixtures are tested vigorously before being released to the market (see Cameron Miller’s PowerPoint from the National Institute of Standards & Technology), with the object being to measure not only initial lumen output, but to project what that output will be over the course of its useful life. The end of life
Dial the Output Down When Possible with Trimming Read More »
Dear Reader: One of the benefits to be derived from a networked lighting control system lies in its ability to provide for more than one scheduling regime, and that’s important if a Facilities Manager is intent on squeezing every bit of electricity waste out of his/or system. Let’s say Schedule A is your “1st Shift
Schedule Off Times When Production is Down Read More »