Committee on the Environment

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  • 1.  Straight Talk on LED Lighting

    Posted 05-03-2013 06:06 PM
    In an effort to reduce Lighting Power Density and energy consumption in Commercial Buildings, Lighting Salesmen and Contractors looking for a quick buck have descended on buildings from coast to coast.   Many well thought out lighting retrofits work well, and look just as good as the original lighting design.  This is not always the case, however.  Sometimes, its very difficult for an architect, facilities manager, or business owner to know how to evaluate LED products, which are definitely not all created equal.  Also, what is the likelihood that long life predictions for LED's will come true?

      A couple of recent threads have made their way through the Innovations in Light forum on Linked In.  One was entitled "Do you think there is a lack of understanding of the use and design of lighting involving LED's?".  The other "Public Confession - I'm not an expert.  All the LED stuff is confusing me.  Help!"

    Do architects and facilities managers, many with architectural backgrounds, have the same feeling about LED's?

    I'd love to know.

    In an effort to address this issue, the Energy Center of Wisconsin is sponsoring two seminars on May 15th and May 16th in Hudson, and Appleton Wisconsin.  Folks in WI are lucky to have these programs right at their doorstep, although Hudson is only 1/2 hr from St Paul, MN.  Here is a link to the course.   http://www.ecw.org/university/ecuevent.php?ecuid=513



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    Donna Leban AIA
    Owner, principal designer
    Light/Space/Design
    South Burlington VT
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    AIA26 San Diego June 10-13


  • 2.  RE:Straight Talk on LED Lighting

    Posted 05-06-2013 05:31 PM

    I agree Donna, LED's are not all created equal and it can be hard to sort out the choices. I am excited to hear about this event and wish I was in the neighborhood so I could attend. I can share anecdotally that we used Redwood Systems LED lighting and controls in our Irvine, CA office. The system has been in place for a year and we are very happy. If all the lights are on, the total LPD is about 0.5 W/SF but with the smart controls (daylight and occupancy), the effective LPD is typically just over 0.1 W/SF.

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    Alan Scott FAIA
    The Cadmus Group, Inc.
    Portland OR
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    AIA26 San Diego June 10-13