One element to consider in energy-efficient lighting and sustainability is daylighting. If good daylighting techniques are in place from the beginning of a project, the electric lighting will be able to support the natural light levels through the use of sensors that will adjust electric light levels based on natural daylight in the space. These can provide a consistent desired light level. The electric lighting will rarely ever have to do all the work.

Energy-efficient design should incorporate a lighting control system. There are endless possibilities and options when it comes to lighting controls. We have the ability to control every individual light fixture in a space by using intelligent controls, as well as tie in the lighting control system with other components of a space like the thermostat, security cameras, audio-video equipment, and window treatments. The use of dimmers, occupancy sensors, timers, and other devices to control lighting will contribute to energy cost savings in both residential and commercial projects.

Contact Lux Lighting Design at info@luxld.com to find out how we can make your design project more energy efficient while enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of your space.

A UPS conditions incoming power to smooth out sags and spikes that are common on the public utility grid. It also provides power to make up for sags or short-term outages by meticulously selecting and drawing power from the grid, battery sources, backup generators and other sources.

There are numerous reasons why we should use a UPS to protect our power supply. Losing power for as little as a quarter of a second can cause events that may interrupt computerized equipment for hours.  Utility power is said to be 99.9% reliable, meaning there is a likely chance of experiencing 9 hours of utility outages each year.

With today’s technology, our storage systems, servers, network devices and other computer systems use components that are so small that they falter and fail under poor power conditions more than ever. A generator can keep systems operational during an outage but they take time to start up and do not protect from power strikes and other disturbances. Surge suppressors help with power strikes but do not protect against power loss, under-voltage and brownouts. Using a UPS can help to achieve high availability of power while simultaneously reducing power costs, which was not an option a few years ago.

We especially recommend using UPS components for all whole house control systems along with surge suppressors for the most complete protection of equipment.

As with anything, an occasional cleaning will ensure a longer, quality performance. Periodically, remove dirt, leaves and other debris, which tend to collect around the fixtures. Pay particular attention to inground fixtures and fixtures in low-lying areas. When tackling the cleaning of fixtures, consider moving them to create a different look. Cleaning the lens helps the lamp to operate more efficiently, extending the lamp life.

Replacing Lamps

Different lamps have different life expectancies. This means someone will need to replace lamps in the fixtures occasionally. Always apply a corrosion preventive compound when changing lamps to avoid socket corrosion.

Avoiding Corrosion

When installing lamps, dip the lamp bases into corrosion preventive compound (MA4) or spray sockets with silicone to help prevent oxidation between the lamp and its socket. Repeating this application once a year also provides a better connection between the lamp and socket. Also remember to seal or tape exposed wire to slow oxidation of the copper. Use mastic, caulking or tape – whichever is appropriate in your situation.

Pruning

Since you are working with living and growing things, you will need to prune periodically to keep the fixtures from disappearing into an overgrowth of shrubbery. Don’t forget to reposition fixtures, especially in trees to cover any bright spots.

Harsh Environments

Some environmental conditions require special consideration when choosing your low voltage fixtures. Such environments include:

• Water or air with a high salt content (coastal areas)
• Soil with a high acid content
• Soil that is heavily fertilized
• Water with a high lime content

For these environments we strongly recommend you consider non-metallic (composite) or solid brass fixtures. These fixtures are designed to hold up to the test of harsh environments. You may want to look into inground fixtures with composite housing.

Adding New Fixtures

If there is even the slightest possibility that you will want to install additional fixtures later, it is wise to choose a transformer that will allow for the extra wattage. Remember, we recommend you initially use between 70% and 80% of the power console capacity. This will save some power for additional fixtures.

Don’t Forget

The environment is ever changing, so landscape lighting does require periodic maintenance.

Which do you think came first, the house or the lamp post? Oops!

What are these flood lights lighting exactly?? Next time, ask a lighting designer.

This would not happen with a lighting designer overseeing the installation!

Don’t let this happen to you!

Happy New Year

First came the idea of a Christmas tree. Trees have been a symbol of good luck since the Middle Ages. Plants and trees that remain green all year are said to have special meaning in the winter time. In many countries, it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits and even illness.  The Christmas tree tradition is said to have began in Germany in the 16th century, where they would nail a small evergreen tree to the highest beam of all new houses being built. They started bringing the good luck tree into their homes when it got cold and would decorate it around Christmas time. Many people believe that the Protestant reformer, Martin Luther first added lighted candles to a Christmas tree. It is said that Luther was awed by the brilliance of the twinkling stars in the sky one night while walking towards his home, so he decided to recapture this brilliance by wiring candles to a tree inside his home.

In America, most settlers thought the Christmas tree tradition was odd and it wasn’t until the 1830s that German settlers in America displayed decorated Christmas trees. Prior to this time New England Puritans believed Christmas was very sacred and felt that the decorating of a Christmas tree was a form of “pagan mockery” which many people protested. It was really not until 1846 that the Christmas tree was more widely accepted in America, when  Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were sketched in the Illustrated London News with their children around a Christmas tree. Queen Victoria’s popularity with her subjects and with East Coast American Society helped to turn the idea of a Christmas tree into a fashionable and desirable custom.

In 1882 Edward Johnson, an inventor who worked under Thomas Edison, lighted a Christmas tree in New York City with electric lights for the first time. Johnson invented the first string of Christmas lights that was mass produced in the 1890′s. By 1900, department stores joined in on using electric Christmas lights to decorate their window displays for the holiday season. Around the year 1918, a young man named Albert Sadacca was touched by a tragic story of a fire started in someone’s home from the lighted candles on a Christmas tree. Sadacca invented “safe” Christmas lights and soon started using multicolored bulbs that became widely produced. He soon had a multi-million dollar business, and shortly after he formed a company called NOMA Electric Company with his two brothers. This became the largest Christmas lighting company in the world.

As the Christmas lights traditions spread from New York City around the country, the displays grew into much more than simply decorated trees. Large displays began popping up all over the U.S., which is partly attributed to the idea of holiday decorating contests promoted by companies like General Electric. Today, about 150 million Christmas light sets are sold in America each year.

Sources:

http://www.holidayleds.com/articles/history_and_meaning_christmas_lights_america

http://www.history.com/topics/history-of-christmas-trees

http://inventors.about.com/od/cstartinventions/a/Xmas_Lights.htm

• Cataracts can cause a scattering effect, extreme sensitivity to glare and also block out some of the light.
• Macular Degeneration affects the part of the eye that perceives detail. Damaged blood vessels can cause “black” areas in the center of the field of vision.
• Glaucoma causes a buildup of pressure in the eye and cuts off nutrients to the retina. This mainly affects the center of the field of vision and causes problems with night vision.
• Diabetic Retinopathy causes bits of the retina to die. It gets worse overtime and can lead to blindness.

There are many ways to improve the lighting in a space designed for those with age-related vision impairments. Positive changes should be made by raising general light levels slightly higher than the average recommended levels. This will create uniformity of light across all surfaces such as walls and ceilings, creating soft, subtle transitions between spaces, and keeping light levels similar within all spaces of the building. Efforts should be made to minimize glare from electric lighting and windows that reflect on glossy floor finishes and other shiny surfaces. These types of finishes should not be used in senior living environments. Use high contrast in color and/or texture to create edges for stairs, doorways, and baseboards. High contrast should also be used for any signage found throughout the building to provide improved wayfinding. Task oriented areas such as kitchens, hobby rooms, and libraries require adjustable lighting placed close to the task, in addition to the room’s general lighting. The beam spread of light should light the surface evenly. A non-glare nightlight or steplight that gives off about .5 foot-candles of warm light onto the floor should be used in main living and hall areas. When specifying light sources for any space for the elderly, it is recommended to stay away from the blue end of the spectrum  because it tends to cause more discomfort and glare, and can also interrupt sleeping patterns if exposed to them at night.