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Time.com

By Michael Grunwald
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008

This may sound too good to be true, but the U.S. has a renewable-energy resource that is perfectly clean, remarkably cheap, surprisingly abundant and immediately available. It has astounding potential to reduce the carbon emissions that threaten our planet, the dependence on foreign oil that threatens our security and the energy costs that threaten our wallets. Unlike coal and petroleum, it doesn’t pollute; unlike solar and wind, it doesn’t depend on the weather; unlike ethanol, it doesn’t accelerate deforestation or inflate food prices; unlike nuclear plants, it doesn’t raise uncomfortable questions about meltdowns or terrorist attacks or radioactive-waste storage, and it doesn’t take a decade to build. It isn’t what-if like hydrogen, clean coal and tidal power; it’s already proven to be workable, scalable and cost-effective. And we don’t need to import it.

This miracle juice goes by the distinctly boring name of energy efficiency, and it’s often ignored in the hubbub over alternative fuels, the nuclear renaissance, T. Boone Pickens and the green-tech economy. Clearly, it needs an agent. But it’s a simple concept: wasting less energy. Or more precisely, consuming less energy to get the same amount of heat for your shower, light for your office and power for your factory. It turns out to be much less expensive, destructive and time-intensive to reduce demand through efficiency than to increase supply through new drilling or new power plants. A nationwide push to save “negawatts” instead of building more megawatts could help reverse our unsustainable increases in energy-hogging and carbon-spewing while creating a slew of jobs and saving a load of cash.

Now this may sound like Jimmy Carter’s 30-year-old plea for us to turn down the heat and put on sweaters or like an eco-lecture nagging us to turn off lights, drive less and otherwise change our behavior to save energy. It would be nice if we did, but that’s conservation, not efficiency. We don’t have to sacrifice comfort or change routines to get efficient. Doing less with less may be admirable, but efficiency is about doing the same or more with less. And studies by groups as diverse as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and even the National Petroleum Council have identified efficiency as the way to start addressing our energy and climate crises. In fact, we’ve already started; the Alliance to Save Energy calculates that without the efficiency gains we’ve made since the last energy crisis, in 1973, our economy would use nearly 50% more energy today. That’s more than we get from oil, twice what we get from coal or natural gas and six times what we get from nuclear plants.

But we could save much more. A McKinsey study found that a global effort to boost efficiency with existing technologies could have “spectacular results,” eliminating more than 20% of world energy demand by 2020. Efficiency guru Amory Lovins argues that today’s best techniques could save the U.S. half our oil and gas and three-fourths of our electricity. That would mean no more imports from the Middle East, lower utility bills for everyone and a big step off our path toward a hotter planet. Honeywell CEO Dave Cote brags that widespread adoption of just his own company’s efficiency products could slash U.S. energy use 20%. “There’s a huge amount of low-hanging fruit,” he says.

There are two basic ways to save energy without deprivation or daily effort. We can use more efficient machinery, like fuel-efficient cars that guzzle less gas, or those pigtailed compact fluorescent lightbulbs that use 75% less power than traditional bulbs, or state-of-the-art refrigerators that are three times as efficient as 1973 models. We can also use machinery more productively. That can be as simple as insulating pipes and ducts, caulking doors and windows and otherwise weatherizing our homes to avoid heating our attics and the outdoors. Or installing motion sensors and programmable thermostats that turn out lights and air conditioners when no one’s in the room. President-elect Barack Obama noted on the campaign trail that if we all just properly inflated our tires and maintained our engines, we could save as much oil now as new offshore drilling would produce by 2030. And since buildings devour two-thirds of our power, commercial and industrial operations can weed out even more waste through green construction and automated systems that practically import power as needed. “We’ve hit rock bottom in our addiction to fossil fuels,” says Ian Bowles, Massachusetts energy and environmental affairs secretary. “We need an intervention, and energy efficiency is it.”

Originally posted 2009-05-02 13:50:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Author: Noel Almirante

Interior lighting design for industries are very important to consider. Factories, warehouses and offices need interior industrial lighting for convenience and efficiency. All these three environments require systems to be planned through architectural and electrical designing prior to the purchase of equipment. Sometimes this is for energy savings only, but on some point, interior lighting design is a key component to workers productivity and essential in maintaining a safety working environment.

Office lighting is important in the industrial marketplace. Employees need comfortable task lamps such as RLM lighting devices, indoor gooseneck lights and other office lights to ensure efficiency and maintain a safe work environment. All areas should be lit that needs a certain amount of ambient lighting to look professional to visitors and customers. Without adequate RLM lighting, people working in the assembly line cannot see and thus work at a relatively slower pace. This will affect the worker’s productivity because of long hours spent to do a certain task.

Safety is another critical component to a successful factory operations. One major accident involving workers in the premises can cause a factory to shut down for days or even weeks and can bring a big loss on profitability. Many times, accidents happen around the production area. This could have been avoided if lighting had been given much more attention in the factory. However, too much light can also cause accident due to reflective glare that could blind a worker’s eye. RLM lighting is one of the best lighting devices that we can use inside the production area to avoid this issue.

Warehouses also consider the same process flow and safety considerations that factories have to consider. Packaging areas should not be dark because inventory loss is likely to occur in darker areas. If you think this would sound so costly, please bear in mind that only production areas need special interior design in order to provide special functions and safeguard human life. Many storage areas and hallways that need cheaper fixture and far less electricity without jeopardizing health and corporate revenues.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/presentation-articles/indoor-commercial-lighting-boosts-revenue-and-safety-3483059.html

About the Author

Jose Emmanuel Almirante is an author for Sign Bracket Store. He gives tips and information on unique signage ideas for your store or business with an emphasis on lighting products such as, Gooseneck lighting, Gooseneck lights, Gooseneck Outdoor lighting and sign blanks.

Originally posted 2011-06-27 01:09:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Southwestern Suppliers is a 50 year old wholesale supplier of construction materials to the commercial building trade. It currently employs over 80 people.

Their 36,784 sq. ft. was lit by 458 watt metal halide and high pressure sodium fixtures. The warehouse, however, was still inadequately lit causing issues with the shipping of wrong materials. There was also the desire to reduce the energy consumption as their electric bill grew.

The solution to both concerns were met with the installation of 192 watt 6-lamp Hi-Bay Reflector fixtures using Empire Lighting Resources Viz-A-Lite high vision fluorescent lamps.  The impact was immediate with the improved lighting dramatically reducing the number of mistakes on orders.  There was also a tremedous energy savings which is currently over $25,000 since the lighting was installed.

Southwestern Suppliers looks forward to implementing similar strategies for their additional locations.

Originally posted 2009-05-21 03:51:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Author: Camille Howe

Now is the time to invest in commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures and retire that outdated, and soon to be illegal, incandescent technology.

It serves none of us to continue using incandescent lights in commercial warehouses with a ban on incandescent lighting of all varieties coming soon. Now is the time to invest in commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures and retire that outdated, and soon to be illegal, incandescent technology. Commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures come in every shape and size and provide the ideal replacement for incandescent lights. This includes ceiling mount lights, hanging fluorescent strips, fluorescent wall packs, floodlights, loading dock lighting and even fluorescent, commercial high bay lighting fixtures.

What is the main advantage of commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures?

By far the longevity of the fluorescent lamp is the greatest benefit to industrial clients looking to make the most of their procurement dollars and reduce overhead for a power-saving return on investment. The terms of average lamp life and lumen output per watt makes any commercial fluorescent light fixture a highly efficient source of illumination. Fluorescent lamps generate very little heat and will maintain cooler temperatures in workshops, warehouses, and other areas where minimizing radiant heat creates a safe and optimal work environment for workers. Reduced maintenance costs and reduced energy consumption add up over time to savings that exceed the cost of initial purchase.

Do you know how a fluorescent lamp works anyway?

Fluorescent lamps create light by passing an electric arc between tungsten cathodes in a tube filled with a low-pressure mercury vapor mixed with other luminous gases. The arc excites the mercury vapor, which in turn generates radiant energy- primarily in the ultraviolet range. This energy causes the phosphor coating on the inside of the tube to fluoresce, converting the ultraviolet into visible light.

What are the electrical requirements for fluorescent lamps?

To start the fluorescent lamp, a high voltage surge must establish an arc in the mercury vapor. Once the lamp is started, the gas offers a decreasing amount of resistance. This means that current must be regulated to match this drop. Otherwise, the lamp will draw more and more power and rapidly burn itself out. This is why magnetic or electronic ballasts that provide the required starting voltage and control the subsequent flow of current to the lamp must operate fluorescent lights.

Most companies carry many varieties of commercial warehouse fluorescent lighting fixtures regardless of where lighting is needed in the facility. Some of the more popular types follow:

Wall Pack Lights

Fluorescent wall pack lighting fixtures are used to beef up security at entrance doorways, corridors, service areas, loading docks, and other venues that require a utility light source. Wall pack fixtures typically have vandal proof lenses and are difficult for intruders to dismantle.

Outdoor Floodlights

Fluorescent outdoor floodlights are used to illuminate outdoor signs, building facades, courtyards and smoking areas. They care suited for installation at grade level on junction boxes as well as on building pointed in a downward position.

Loading Dock Lights

Commercial fluorescent lights help loading docks maintain clear visibility for 18-wheelers and delivery trucks. Mounted on telescoping or swing arms, fluorescent dock lights are very durable, start instantaneously, and do not require a start up period. They prove their usefulness every time the power is accidentally unplugged or when the electricity goes off momentarily.

Vandal proof Canopy Lights

Fluorescent vandal proof lights help property managers protect their investment. These commercial fluorescent lights keep parking garages, car washes, storage facilities, warehouses with low ceilings, and other properties clearly visible with a dependable commercial lighting source. Fluorescent canopy lights fixtures are rock solid and have vandal proof lenses that are difficult for intruders, customers, or employees to disable. Models are available in both square and rectangular formats.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/fluorescent-light-fixture-320688.html

About the Author
Easyrack.org for more information on commercial lighting or fluorecent light fixtures please visit us.

Originally posted 2011-07-21 07:15:56. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Author: Kathryn Dawson

Looking for lighting for your business premises? Whether you are fitting out a few small offices or a large warehouse just take a look online at the broad range of products available and you’ll soon be inspired. Deciding upon the types of lights you need isn’t the only important aspect of lighting your property, you also have to think about their placement and how you can achieve the most effective practical and visual effects.

Securing your business premises is important and you need to work out how much light is required for each area and the most effective type of lighting. Consider what the area is to be used for and if there is already any natural light. If you need to light up a parking area or other location that will be facilitated at night then you should be looking at much brighter lights than if it is an area that will be closed during the evenings but still needs some lighting for security purposes.

There are various factors that are essential to the success of an outdoor lighting job, amongst them proper fixture selection, fixture positioning, and light distribution patterns. Most outdoor lights incorporate motion detection and come on automatically when someone enters the area outside your business. They are affordable and an effective way to prevent crime, any intruders trying to get near the premises will find themselves bathed in a bright light and be scared away. Carefully placed outdoor flood lights can generate a remarkable lighting effect that will make people notice the premises and your business; the options available include security floodlights, garden floodlights and general exterior flood lights.

Colour is another factor to consider, if the lighting is for a purely practical use then white is fine, however if you want to light up an outside garden area or walkway then think about using coloured bulbs to make an impression and create an attractive feature.

Having a selection of visually attractive lighting products alongside practical ones will mean you can secure your property and get it noticed. Effective lighting can light your property up on the outside highlighting any architectural features or enabling people to stop and browse window displays even when the shop is closed at night, or attract passersby to admire the gardens, ensure your business name and logo is in full view and you get free advertising too.

Indoors, the right lighting can provide a warm welcome to customers, highlight certain aspects or products and also help to make the premises a comfortable and pleasant space for staff to work in. Dull, poor lighting isn’t going to encourage customers to stay around for long or promote motivated staff. Attractive surroundings that are well lit can do wonders for staff morale, and we all know that happy staff equals better working attitudes which can lead to higher sales.

Recessed downlights can be purchased in low voltage and mains voltage models, and the range of colours, styles and finishes means you are guaranteed to find a solution to fit your needs. They can offer simple understated lighting to create the required ambience for any application or environment, whether residential or commercial.

Take time to consider your lighting needs as some products are much more energy efficient than others and electric bills can be expensive. Ensure you plan very carefully before going ahead with a project. You will need to employ the services of a qualified electrician to install them and they should offer you skilled advice, or if you are having the premises built then seek the expert advice of the architect.

Prices are often much lower when you shop online as there are fewer overheads than high street stores. They generally deliver the next day and some even deliver free if you spend over a certain amount. If you are looking for emergency lighting, fire rated lights, outdoor security lights or ceiling lights for domestic, trade or commercial purposes then you can find excellent value for money from online traders in lighting products. If you order in bulk then prices are even lower and you can expect a professional and efficient service from established online companies that deal in commercial lights.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/shopping-articles/commercial-lights-for-your-business-needs-2419101.html

About the Author

Kathryn Dawson writes articles for Litecraft Commercial, a leading retailer of commercial lights in the UK. There are recessed lighting available in low voltage and mains voltage model; with an assortment of colours, finishes and styles suitable for both domestic and commercial applications. Their flood lighting not only make for good security light at night, they can also provide a dramatic lighting effect that highlights a building as well as gardens.

Originally posted 2011-05-05 01:00:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Alro Metal Services was seeking ways to improve production while lowering costs. Empire Lighting Resources responded by de-lamping their 4-lamp 4′ T12 fixtures with 2 T12 Viz-A-Lite High Vision fluorescents which reduced energy consumption by 50%. We also replaced the 455 watt metal halide fixtures in their production/warehouse areas with 192 watt hi-bay T8 fluorescent reflector fixtures and Viz-A-Lite High Vision fluorescent lamps. Yearly savings derived from these changes will allow Alro Metal Services an energy savings of almost $10,000 per year.

Originally posted 2009-05-02 06:35:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

This existing, Pump It Up, franchise was suffering from being severely under-lit.  Customers had complained how dark and shadowy it was in many areas of the main play arenas.  Ownership learned that several customers had decided to go to other, more distant, locations because of this condition.  The loss of revenue became noticeable.  The client was using 250 watt metal halide and 8′ 2-lamp strip fixtures.

Empire Lighting Resources implemented a lighting plan that brought the arenas up to the lighting standards required by the corporate office, while saving the owner energy dollars. All metal halide fixtures were replaced with 6-lamp hi-bay reflector fixtures using Viz-A-Lite High Vision fluorescent lamps.  The 8′ strip fixtures were repositioned and retrofitted with both an enhanced aluminum reflector and Viz-A-Lite High Vision fluorescent lamps to better utilize the light.  This dramatically changed the brightness of the arenas, eliminating the shadowing and dark areas.  This was all accomplished with a 20% energy reduction.

In the non-arena areas ELR took the 2 x 4 lay-in fixtures from 4 lamps to 2 lamps per fixture using Viz-A-Lite High Vision fluorescent lamps. This resulted in a 50% energy reduction.

Originally posted 2009-05-02 09:49:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Author: Kimberly Quang

The quality of the commercial lighting products that you sell your clients matters now more than it ever has. Because we have entered a period of recession, companies that spend money on replacements or upgrades intend to stretch their investment as far as it can possibly go. Sometimes your clients may have already done a bit of homework themselves on the type of commercial lighting products they need, and may offer to purchase the equipment and pay you for the labor to install them. This is all well and good if they have sourced their products well, perhaps through our channel or one of our affiliate manufacturing distributors. However, if they are planning on buying imported commercial lighting products, or going down to the hardware store to obtain retail grade materials at a lower cost, it would serve their long term interests if you advised them against such a course of action.

There are problems associated with both foreign-manufactured commercial lighting products and with retail commercial lighting products. Foreign-made products may claim to be commercial grade in quality, but you have no way of determining if this is really the case. Foreign governments have different technical and quality assurance standards than our own, and even if the fixture is compatible with US-made technology, you have no guarantee of quality assurance. When the product fails, there is no way to enforce the warranty on what you have worked so hard to install-if there is a warranty on the product at all. This will further stagnate your client’s revenue stream with replacement costs and additional labor. This is not the way to recession proof your client’s business.

It is far better to invest up front in commercial lighting products that will do what the manufacturer promises they will do. This level of performance and guarantee is best obtained through products made in the U.S.A by reputable American manufacturers who even now are working to improve existing light fixture technology for greater ergonomics, energy savings, safety, and aesthetics. This is why Residential Landscape Lighting and Design represents only those manufactures who headquarter in the United States AND manufacture their products here in the United States.

When you can offer your clients the best products in the world of commercial lighting backed up by warranties in writing, you can also promise them a number of tangible financial returns on their investment through the proper installation and use of these products.

Improved Safety Results from U.S.-manufactured outdoor lighting fixtures.

Parking lots and parking garages are two places where people leaving work after dark are often attacked. They are also places where vandalism and vehicle burglaries frequently occur. Upgrading the lighting system in both of these locations with commercial lighting products that feature the latest in glare shielding, optical performance, and light directional control increases foot candle levels in these areas and simultaneously reduces light pollution into surrounding neighborhoods and streets.

Ergonomics

Better interior lighting improves ergonomics and often creates a more positive morale and motivated sense of production among the staff. Many factories are now using fluorescent lights with electronic ballasts that produce a high level of light and superior color rendering at 40% less. Fluorescent low bays are a favorite commercial lighting product for assembly line work because of the high CRI they offer. Larger facilities that need high bay lights can also benefit from HID fixtures with pulse start technology. Interior office lights and ceiling lights can also now be done with low voltage halogen, LED, and fluorescent fixtures that replace incandescent with more comfortable and controllable levels of light and more precise lighting effects.

ROI through Power Conservation

This last point brings us to our next: ROI through power conservation. The more efficient the commercial lighting products are, the faster they pay for themselves by saving on the electric bill month after month. An added bonus to this is that most energy efficient fixtures enjoy a very long lamp life, so they will certainly be around when the cost of purchasing them has been offset by subsequent savings. American made commercial lighting products are intended to put money back into your client’s pockets in this fashion and to contribute to nationwide efforts to develop more environmentally technology pursuant to reversing global climate change.

· LED Commercial Lights
· Metal Halide Fixtures
· High Pressure Sodium Fixtures
· Floodlight for Security and Landscape Lighting
· Wall Packs
· LED Office Lights
· LED Outdoor Lighting Fixtures
· Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures
· Parking Lot Lights and Lighting Poles
· Solar Powered Street Lights
· Security Lights and Motion Detectors
· Architectural Building Lights
· Sign Lights
· Commercial Low Bay Lights
· Light Control Systems
· Outdoor Accent Lighting
· Landscape Lights
· Sports Lighting
· Baseball Lights
· Soccer Lights
· Football Lights
· Volleyball Lights and Lighting Kits
· Tennis Court Lights and Lighting Kits
· Commercial Parking Garage Lights
· Warehouse High Bays
· Roadway and Highway Lights

Keep in mind too that we have a staff of trained experts who will answer any questions you have about commercial lighting products or help you find specific types of commercial lighting products from any number of manufacturing sources. We drop ship directly to your client’s location straight from the factory, and we offer turnkey installation services on selective items. Call us today to learn more about what we can do for you.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/american-made-commercial-lighting-products-517785.html

About the Author
residential-landscape-design.com. Visit us online to learn more about Commercial Lighting Products and Commercial Lighting.

Originally posted 2011-04-07 06:54:59. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Stone Medical Group, of Boca Raton, Florida was looking for a way decrease operational costs while increasing employee productivity. Empire Lighting Resources® proposed a combination of replacing the existing inefficient 458 watt metal halide fixtures in their warehouse with our energy-efficient 222 watt open high bay fixtures, retro-fitting the 64 watt U-bend fixtures to 30 watts and de-lamping the four lamp T8 fixtures to two lamp. Empire Lighting Resources® Viz-A-Lite® high vision lamps were used in all fixtures.

As a result, the lighting levels in the warehouse increased from an average of 2-3 foot candles to over 20. In the offices and common areas, foot candles increase over 30%. Overall, lighting savings were over 50%, saving Stone Medical an estimated $500.00 per month. Stone Medial Group was also able to take advantage of the U.S. Government EPACT program, which allows companies to write off a percentage of their energy-efficient projects in the same year. So, in addition to the energy savings, Stone will be able to write off almost 70% of the project cost.

Originally posted 2011-03-14 00:48:36. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Pinnacle Building Group, Inc., a cabinet manufacturer, was looking for ways to curb office energy costs and to improve the lighting in their manufacturing area.  The manufacturing area was under-lit and needed additional fixtures, while the office needed a better quality of light. By using Viz-A-Lite High Vision fluorescent lamps, Empire Lighting Resources was able to reduce from 4 to 2 T12 lamps in each of the office ceiling fixtures.  This change resulted in an energy savings of 50% while increasing the usable light. In the manufacturing area, Empire Lighting Resources increased the number of 8′ fixtures from 4 to 12. The 2-lamp T12 fixtures, with Enhanced Aluminum reflectors were re-configured to best light the critical work areas.  The manufacturing area benefits included greater productivity, increased safety, decreased errors and injuries.

Originally posted 2009-04-02 13:31:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter