Brief history of CA Energy Code.The Warren-Alquist Act, enacted in 1974, created the state Energy Commission and mandated that they periodically (usually every 3 years) update Building Energy Efficiency Standards for the state of California to reduce wasteful energy consumption including greenhouse gas emissions. These standards, known as CA Title 24, cover both residential and […]
Illuminating Vision: Lighting for the Aging Eye
As we age, our bodies undergo many changes, and one of the most significant is the gradual decline in our vision. For many older adults, proper lighting can significantly enhance their quality of life. Optimizing the lighting environment can help seniors see better–making engaging in their daily tasks easier and safer. Let’s explore the unique […]
California Appliance Efficiency Database – Explained
California’s Appliance Efficiency Regulations, or also known as Title20, set minimum performance requirements for energy and water saving appliances. In August 2015, the CA Energy Commission (CEC) launched the Modernized Appliance Efficiency Database System (MAEDbS). It allows us to verify which models of regulated products are legal to sell or offer for sale in California. […]
Understanding ADA Lighting- Accessibility Meets Design
In today’s world, creating spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also accessible to everyone is of utmost importance. Since the early 1990s our public buildings have worked to make reasonable accommodations for people with physical disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that ensures people with disabilities have […]
Understanding CA’s Energy Efficiency Regulations
Over the decades, California has been a pioneer in adopting policies and regulations to protect the environment. Currently, there are two state regulations that cover energy efficiency. -Title 20, also known as the Appliance Efficiency Program, and-Title 24, California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards. Title 20 is a set of energy efficiency regulations established by the […]
Common Questions About Lamp and LED Recycling
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the world, and more specifically our lighting industry, have been transformed by technology over the past two decades. These changes have created some confusion among consumers, even early adopters. One area that we get a lot of questions about is lamp and fixture disposal. Lamp […]
Daylighting Control and the Energy Code
California and many other states are adopting increasingly stricter daylight related requirements as part of their building energy efficiency standards. These new requirements are intended to reduce electricity usage with energy efficiency. California has an ambitious goal of decarbonizing buildings and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% below the 1990 levels by 2030. […]
How Winter Weather Affects Outdoor LED Light Fixtures: A Guide to Choosing the Right Ones
As the winter months approach, many business owners, property managers, and homeowners begin to think about how to keep their outdoor spaces safe and inviting despite the cold, dark nights. Outdoor LED light fixtures are an excellent choice for illuminating pathways, driveways, and parking lots, but winter weather can pose unique challenges to their performance […]
The Death of The Fluorescent Lamp and Other Lighting Legislation Changes
In the high-rise jungle of corporate America during the 1980s and 1990s, fluorescent lamps were king. They ruled every office building for most of the second half of the 20th Century. However, like most legacy lighting technologies of that era, their product market shares have been overtaken by LEDs, and their final death happened by […]
Blinded By The Light: Tips for Reducing Glare
Creating comfortable and visually appealing environments is a major focus of modern lighting design. Reducing glare from LED lights is essential to achieving that task. As LED technology with improved brightness and directional light dominates the lighting market, addressing glare becomes increasingly important. Whether your application is a commercial office space or industrial manufacturing floor […]