COOPERSBURG, PA.—For almost six decades, Lutron Electronics has been a leader in the lighting control industry. Now, as Lutron celebrates its new Commercial Experience Center in Manhattan, the company is once again bringing bold ideas and a fresh vitality to lighting and design. “Experience” is the operative word at the flagship center, located just off Fifth Avenue at 3 E. 28th Street in New York’s lively NoMad neighborhood. At the core of the center is the Lutron HXL approach, a broad philosophy of human centric lighting that deftly employs four elements of lighting design—natural light, quality light, connection to the...

SPRING LAKE, MICH.—Norb, LLC introduces the Norb (Nutri-Orb) brand of LED light bulbs. The Norb line of Wellness Lighting for Better Working, Learning and Living includes: NorbSMILE—The “Feel Right” Light illuminates with a white-color light designed with the sun’s “happy” light spectrum that awakens and energizes. It is available as an A19 LED bulb with 11 watts and as a tube light with 18 LED watts. In contrast to regular indoor lights which may cause drowsiness, lethargy or agitation, NorbSMILE supports a positive mood, alertness, energy and productivity. NorbSMILE is the healthy building light for daytime illumination in company offices,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Department of Energy announced a decision to roll back rules that would have required lightbulbs to be more efficient, a decision that could cost consumers up to $100/year per household starting in 2025, according to estimates by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). David Friedman, Vice President of Advocacy for Consumer Reports, and a former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary (2015 to 17) for the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, said, “This is, excuse the pun, a dim decision. This administration’s latest rollback will reduce consumer choice and increase utility...

WEST CALDWELL, N.J.—MaxLite has appointed Shaffer & Nelson as its exclusive representative for the Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana markets, effective September 1, 2019. Now in a third generation of ownership, Shaffer & Nelson has serviced the Pacific Northwest with quality electrical supplies since 1949. With headquarters in Tualatin, Oregon, and satellite locations throughout the region, the team is fully prepared to assist lighting distributors and customers with MaxLite products and expert sales input. “We are excited to have Shaffer & Nelson representing our line as our exclusive commercial and industrial agent in the Pacific Northwest,” said Eric Fournier, Vice...

WORCESTER, MASS.— Access Fixtures, a Massachusetts-based manufacturer of commercial, industrial, and sports lighting, has introduced a budget-friendly canopy light called the SYRF which is available in both a round and a square design. SYRF is a fixture that flush mounts to ceilings and canopies at retail facilities, schools, hotels, hospitals, and any other similar commercial location. The SYRF boasts great value and efficiency at 22 lumens per dollar, and an L70 rated life of 147,000 hours, guaranteeing years of maintenance-free use. A smooth frosted polycarbonate lens emits light in a wide 110-degree beam spread and prevents glare, even when...

TORRANCE, CALIF.—Recycling at home or work has become part of our daily routine, but one ubiquitous device that still raises questions over disposal is light bulbs. Do they go out with the normal trash? Get tossed in recycling containers? Do you save them for the next neighborhood e-waste event? The answers aren’t easy, thanks in part to new technologies to Thomas Edison’s illuminating invention along with society’s growing environmental concerns. A 60-day initiative to help raise awareness on how citizens and companies can properly recycle lighting devices launched on August 20. The Green Lights Initiative is sponsored by LEDtronics, one...

I learned this past week that about 18 to 20 percent of a building’s energy footprint is from windows and that part of their job is to help manage infrared rays, UV rays and visible light. Many of you may have known that already. Did you know that most of the sun’s heat comes in the form of visible light? That is why closing curtains and shades when guestrooms are vacant can certainly help some with heating and AC. Blocking UV light can help reduce the fading of carpeting, furniture and artwork. Walk the floor of HITEC and you...

NATIONAL REPORT—Critical to the energy efficiency of any building is the quality of the window itself—its ability to insulate from infrared heat, potentially harmful UV rays, visible light, and cold air. Joseph Harary, President and CEO, Director, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary for Research Frontiers, says 18 to 20 percent of a building’s energy footprint is from windows. Fortunately for hotel owners, advancements in window design have made them highly effective insulators. Just as window design has improved significantly, so too have technologies that make the inner part of the window and the outside of the window contributors to energy...

MUSKEGON, MICH.—EarthTronics, dedicated to developing innovative energy-saving lighting products that provide a positive economic and environmental impact, introduces its new Slim LED Recessed Downlight Series designed for energy efficiency and easy installation in finished drywall and architectural tile ceiling spaces with tight space tolerances for hospitals, hotels, long-term care facilities, schools, office buildings and other commercial and residential applications. Rated for wet locations, the new LED series is ideal for high humidity areas and around bathroom showers. The 4-inch and 6-inch slim recessed downlights have an integrated switch allowing for the selection of one of five colors at the time...

EUGENE, ORE.—The University of Oregon (UO) published a new white paper, “The Impact of Lighting and Views in the Workplace of the Future.”* The paper concludes that daylit spaces with controlled lighting and views can improve occupant well-being, workplace productivity, and satisfaction by positively influencing various physiological and psychological processes. Lighting and views also impact property value and employee recruitment and retention. Light and the visual environment impact nearly every facet of an employee’s life. Lighting directly influences mood and performance during the day and the quality of sleep at night. As new evidence expands the understanding of how specific...