Since then, residents in nine of the Mutual Housing Association's apartment buildings have applied to receive up-to-date equipment ranging from new boilers to new hot water heaters, windows, refrigerators and stoves, Orselli said. To qualify for building-wide upgrades, the majority of the buildings' tenants must be low-income. And to obtain home appliances, tenants must individually meet income eligibility standards, he explained.
"Generally, to get landlords from 21 buildings together can be a very difficult task," Orselli said. "Since we own all the buildings, we can provide permission readily, which makes it efficient."
Financial savings for both the M.H.A. and its tenants is a top priority for the Cooper Square Committee in order to be able to preserve affordable housing, Orselli said.
"The only way we can charge very low maintenance fees is to try to keep the cost of maintaining buildings as low as possible," he said.
Lucille Carrasquero, 84, whose building at 56 E. Fourth St. is slated to get a new boiler, is anxiously awaiting a new fridge to replace the one she's had for nearly nine years. Carrasquero is also hoping to qualify for a replacement window for her outdoor garden, whose current windows are difficult to clean and covered with bars.
"I think it's an excellent opportunity for us to be able to get appliances that we need, especially for us low-income people," said Carrasquero. "You save electricity, first of all — and if you save electricity, you save money."
The initiative has the dual advantage of lowering residents' electricity bills and preserving the environment, added Carrasquero's friend Theresa Sandberry, a resident of 60 E. Fourth St.
"If you can get the building to use less fuel, that's a win-win situation," Sandberry said.
The program also intends to help mom-and-pop stores burdened with electric bills and other operating expenses. Working with energy consultants, Tamara Greenfield, F.A.B.'s executive director, has already surveyed several businesses on the block to evaluate their energy savings options.
"They know it's not a sales pitch, and that it's about some kind of larger community benefit, as well as bringing things that'll help them with their bottom line," said Greenfield.
Lynn Freidus, owner and manager of Random Accessories, a stationery, jewelry and clothing store at 77 E. Fourth St., is working with F.A.B. and Con Edison to switch to lower-wattage light bulbs.
"The fact is, we'd like to save money and still have light," Freidus said.
The Fourth St. Food Co-op natural food store on the ground floor of 58 E. Fourth St., needs a more efficient cooling system, according to co-op member Jill Woodward. The store uses electricity generated by wind power.
Thursday 29 December 2011
Wednesday 28 December 2011
Historical-looking lights coming to Marquette Park Pavilion
The recently vandalized Marquette Park Recreation Pavilion will get more than $200,000 in custom made lights, harkening back to the nearly 90-year-old building's original grandeur.
A newly installed security systems should protect them, said planning director Christopher Meyers.
The Board of Public Works and Safety Wednesday approved a $208,000 contract to Winona Lighting for the special lights. They include glass globes, instead of acrylics, and brass and copper lanterns, which are much harder to steal and exchange for cash, Meyers said.
"They're such specialized items, that if any one steals them and tries to hawk them, then it's like a piece of art," he said, adding it would not be hard to track them down or find the thieves.
In photos of the pavilion dating back decades, the glass fixtures adorn the entrances and others hang across the second floor ballroom. They were tall, regal ornaments with design elements that support the architecture of the building opened in 1924.
Getting historical replicas of exterior and interior lighting was a selling point in the Regional Development Authority's $28 million grant for the Marquette Park Lakefront East renovation, Meyers said.
Great Lakes Electrical and Mechanical originally was awarded the lighting contract, but when officials learned GLEM could not install the replicated lights, about $140,000 was deducted from their contract and applied to the historically accurate fixtures.
The pavilion was vandalized and copper, tools and other goods stolen last week. Meyers said Gary police are actively investigating the case. A fire also was started in the main entrance to the building, with soot and ash covering all the floors.
Meyers said he will meet with the project's insurance company later this week.
While conduit for an alarm system had already been run through the structure, project officials had not yet installed any warning systems. As of Wednesday, Meyers still insisted it was the responsibility of contractors to secure their building materials and tools, but last week's break-in, the third of the year at the pavilion, expedited security steps like an alarm system with motion sensors that will alert Gary police and other parties.
Solar power is being used at oil wells to power drilling operations these days. Apparently, it is also being used at nuclear power plants, ironically.
"In an order valued at nearly $400,000 USD, a large US power utility in the Southwestern United States has selected the EverGEN 1530 solar LED outdoor lighting system for the second installment in a perimeter fence security lighting project," Carmanah, the developer of the solar LED outdoor lighting system reports.
As noted in the title, the reason for going solar is "to increase the security… by providing backup safety lighting in the unlikely event of power failure, allowing the facility to maintain critical security functions that are mandated by Homeland Security"
As noted above, this is the second installment. The two together total an investment of $1.5 million in solar lighting.
A newly installed security systems should protect them, said planning director Christopher Meyers.
The Board of Public Works and Safety Wednesday approved a $208,000 contract to Winona Lighting for the special lights. They include glass globes, instead of acrylics, and brass and copper lanterns, which are much harder to steal and exchange for cash, Meyers said.
"They're such specialized items, that if any one steals them and tries to hawk them, then it's like a piece of art," he said, adding it would not be hard to track them down or find the thieves.
In photos of the pavilion dating back decades, the glass fixtures adorn the entrances and others hang across the second floor ballroom. They were tall, regal ornaments with design elements that support the architecture of the building opened in 1924.
Getting historical replicas of exterior and interior lighting was a selling point in the Regional Development Authority's $28 million grant for the Marquette Park Lakefront East renovation, Meyers said.
Great Lakes Electrical and Mechanical originally was awarded the lighting contract, but when officials learned GLEM could not install the replicated lights, about $140,000 was deducted from their contract and applied to the historically accurate fixtures.
The pavilion was vandalized and copper, tools and other goods stolen last week. Meyers said Gary police are actively investigating the case. A fire also was started in the main entrance to the building, with soot and ash covering all the floors.
Meyers said he will meet with the project's insurance company later this week.
While conduit for an alarm system had already been run through the structure, project officials had not yet installed any warning systems. As of Wednesday, Meyers still insisted it was the responsibility of contractors to secure their building materials and tools, but last week's break-in, the third of the year at the pavilion, expedited security steps like an alarm system with motion sensors that will alert Gary police and other parties.
Solar power is being used at oil wells to power drilling operations these days. Apparently, it is also being used at nuclear power plants, ironically.
"In an order valued at nearly $400,000 USD, a large US power utility in the Southwestern United States has selected the EverGEN 1530 solar LED outdoor lighting system for the second installment in a perimeter fence security lighting project," Carmanah, the developer of the solar LED outdoor lighting system reports.
As noted in the title, the reason for going solar is "to increase the security… by providing backup safety lighting in the unlikely event of power failure, allowing the facility to maintain critical security functions that are mandated by Homeland Security"
As noted above, this is the second installment. The two together total an investment of $1.5 million in solar lighting.
Tuesday 27 December 2011
How to choose winter-gardening light system
Color. Bright sunshine contains the full spectrum of light wavelengths from red through yellow and green to blue and violet. Plants use all of these wavelengths for photosynthesis, but red and blue are two of the most important. The blue spectrum promotes vegetative growth so young plants build robust, full foliage. The red wavelengths promote flowers and fruits.
Intensity. All plants need light to thrive, but some plants can get by on lower intensities than others. Native tropicals, shade-loving forest plants and houseplants like ivy and philodendron don't need as much light as Mediterranean succulents or desert cactuses. Flowering plants of all kinds, such as orchids and gardenias, generally need brighter light to flower and produce fruit.
Duration. No matter how much light they use to grow, plants need a rest now and then, to accomplish their other functions of metabolism. Plants' preferences for light to dark are divided into short-day, long-day and day-neutral.
Short-day plants thrive on less than 12 hours of light in a 24-hour period. Most will also need to have a stretch of even shorter days to signal them to set buds and flower. Azaleas, chrysanthemums, poinsettia and Christmas cactus are short-day plants.
Long-day plants need 14 to 18 hours of light per day. Vegetables and most garden plants are long day, and get pale and stretched when they don't get enough light.
Day-neutral plants like geraniums, coleus and foliage plants are happy with eight to 12 hours of light throughout the year.
Kinds of grow lights. There are many kinds of artificial lights that will support plants indoors, from ordinary bulbs and tubes to super-efficient LED lights. Most are available in multiple color spectrums.
Fluorescent tubes put out three to four times the light of incandescent bulbs for the same energy. Their color frequencies run from reds to blues, so you can mix and match to suit your preferences. Full-spectrum or sunlight fluorescents are great for all plants and for starting plants from seeds. They're often even marketed as grow lights.
Industry standard, T-4-size tubes fit in ordinary shop lights and household fluorescent fixtures. New, smaller T-8 and T-5 tubes need fixtures with special ballasts, but use less power and last significantly longer. Cool-white and warm-white fluorescent bulbs can be mixed in a two-bulb fixture to get a good balance of red and blue light. Metal halide lamps and mercury vapor lamps have a strong blue spectrum, high-intensity light good for developing dense, stocky foliage. High-pressure sodium bulbs emit yellow-orange light that's better for the flowering and fruiting phase of a plant's lifecycle.
The newest technology for grow lights uses Light Emitting Diodes. LEDs are extremely energy efficient; they average 50,000 hours of useful operation, and generate very little heat, making them safe for plants and people. You'll spend a good bit more upfront but you can expect to save 40 percent to 75 percent on your energy costs.
Regardless of which kind of lighting system you use, rotate your plants one or more times each week to balance the amount of light each plant receives. Replace fluorescent tubes when the ends start to blacken to keep adequate light levels for your plants. Keep the plants far enough away from the light to prevent burning yet close enough to maximize the exposure these supplemental sources provide.
Intensity. All plants need light to thrive, but some plants can get by on lower intensities than others. Native tropicals, shade-loving forest plants and houseplants like ivy and philodendron don't need as much light as Mediterranean succulents or desert cactuses. Flowering plants of all kinds, such as orchids and gardenias, generally need brighter light to flower and produce fruit.
Duration. No matter how much light they use to grow, plants need a rest now and then, to accomplish their other functions of metabolism. Plants' preferences for light to dark are divided into short-day, long-day and day-neutral.
Short-day plants thrive on less than 12 hours of light in a 24-hour period. Most will also need to have a stretch of even shorter days to signal them to set buds and flower. Azaleas, chrysanthemums, poinsettia and Christmas cactus are short-day plants.
Long-day plants need 14 to 18 hours of light per day. Vegetables and most garden plants are long day, and get pale and stretched when they don't get enough light.
Day-neutral plants like geraniums, coleus and foliage plants are happy with eight to 12 hours of light throughout the year.
Kinds of grow lights. There are many kinds of artificial lights that will support plants indoors, from ordinary bulbs and tubes to super-efficient LED lights. Most are available in multiple color spectrums.
Fluorescent tubes put out three to four times the light of incandescent bulbs for the same energy. Their color frequencies run from reds to blues, so you can mix and match to suit your preferences. Full-spectrum or sunlight fluorescents are great for all plants and for starting plants from seeds. They're often even marketed as grow lights.
Industry standard, T-4-size tubes fit in ordinary shop lights and household fluorescent fixtures. New, smaller T-8 and T-5 tubes need fixtures with special ballasts, but use less power and last significantly longer. Cool-white and warm-white fluorescent bulbs can be mixed in a two-bulb fixture to get a good balance of red and blue light. Metal halide lamps and mercury vapor lamps have a strong blue spectrum, high-intensity light good for developing dense, stocky foliage. High-pressure sodium bulbs emit yellow-orange light that's better for the flowering and fruiting phase of a plant's lifecycle.
The newest technology for grow lights uses Light Emitting Diodes. LEDs are extremely energy efficient; they average 50,000 hours of useful operation, and generate very little heat, making them safe for plants and people. You'll spend a good bit more upfront but you can expect to save 40 percent to 75 percent on your energy costs.
Regardless of which kind of lighting system you use, rotate your plants one or more times each week to balance the amount of light each plant receives. Replace fluorescent tubes when the ends start to blacken to keep adequate light levels for your plants. Keep the plants far enough away from the light to prevent burning yet close enough to maximize the exposure these supplemental sources provide.
Monday 26 December 2011
2 retiring commissioners reflect on changing the county
Gallagher was the minority commissioner for the four years Staudenmeier chaired the board, and she said she preferred being in control.
"In the majority, your wishes can come true," she said.
She said she and McAndrew brought a wish list of 10 items to the job when they took control and they were able to accomplish all 10.
"They were items we felt needed to be addressed," Gallagher said. "If we had chosen to run for re-election, I know I would have had another (list)."
"The 1912 Building was a liability. It was in deplorable condition," Gallagher said. The county's insurance carrier had advised selling the building due to its condition, she said.
Reducing the number of polling places to 125 from 167. Gallagher said that has saved, and will save, the county $79,750 per election, or $159,500 per year, by reducing the number of poll workers needed.
Resolving the New World computer system controversy, in which the county lost $569,000. The system was prone to crashing and never worked properly. Gallagher said. The matter was settled without having to go to trial.
Instituting the PPL Energy Savings Plan, which guarantees savings of $1 million over the next 15 years, according to Gallagher. Additional savings will be realized from upgrading lighting systems in several county buildings, she said.
Consolidating positions in county government. Gallagher said the commissioners eliminated 15 positions by attrition, saving almost $600,000 in salaries and benefits annually.
"We reduced county government significantly ... by attrition, without having to lay off employees," she said.
Creating the Schuylkill Transportation Authority to manage the Schuylkill Transportation System. Gallagher said the savings from the change will be invested in the system.
Improved monitoring of positions that are funded by grants. The commissioners are now notified when grants expire and can take appropriate action on the positions, she said.
Holding five board meetings per year outside the courthouse, which Gallagher saw as some of the highlights of her term.
"We had the opportunity to meet our citizens face to face," she said.
Restructuring county offices. Gallagher said restructuring the Public Defender's Office saved $29,000, while doing the same with the Tax Claim Bureau allowed for the launch of an aggressive effort to get properties back onto the tax rolls.
"When Gov. (Ed) Rendell came through with $500,000 for our Children & Youth building, which was something I'd been lobbying for," it was one of the highlights of the term, Gallagher said. The money will enable the agency to hire more caseworkers and improve services, she said.
"In the majority, your wishes can come true," she said.
She said she and McAndrew brought a wish list of 10 items to the job when they took control and they were able to accomplish all 10.
"They were items we felt needed to be addressed," Gallagher said. "If we had chosen to run for re-election, I know I would have had another (list)."
"The 1912 Building was a liability. It was in deplorable condition," Gallagher said. The county's insurance carrier had advised selling the building due to its condition, she said.
Reducing the number of polling places to 125 from 167. Gallagher said that has saved, and will save, the county $79,750 per election, or $159,500 per year, by reducing the number of poll workers needed.
Resolving the New World computer system controversy, in which the county lost $569,000. The system was prone to crashing and never worked properly. Gallagher said. The matter was settled without having to go to trial.
Instituting the PPL Energy Savings Plan, which guarantees savings of $1 million over the next 15 years, according to Gallagher. Additional savings will be realized from upgrading lighting systems in several county buildings, she said.
Consolidating positions in county government. Gallagher said the commissioners eliminated 15 positions by attrition, saving almost $600,000 in salaries and benefits annually.
"We reduced county government significantly ... by attrition, without having to lay off employees," she said.
Creating the Schuylkill Transportation Authority to manage the Schuylkill Transportation System. Gallagher said the savings from the change will be invested in the system.
Improved monitoring of positions that are funded by grants. The commissioners are now notified when grants expire and can take appropriate action on the positions, she said.
Holding five board meetings per year outside the courthouse, which Gallagher saw as some of the highlights of her term.
"We had the opportunity to meet our citizens face to face," she said.
Restructuring county offices. Gallagher said restructuring the Public Defender's Office saved $29,000, while doing the same with the Tax Claim Bureau allowed for the launch of an aggressive effort to get properties back onto the tax rolls.
"When Gov. (Ed) Rendell came through with $500,000 for our Children & Youth building, which was something I'd been lobbying for," it was one of the highlights of the term, Gallagher said. The money will enable the agency to hire more caseworkers and improve services, she said.
Sunday 25 December 2011
Mattress Factory's 'Acupuncture' to pierce North Side skyline
If German artist Hans Peter Kuhn has his way, soon Pittsburgh's skyline will be pierced with hot, white needles of light, high atop the Mattress Factory museum on the city's North Side.
The installation, "Acupuncture," will be a permanent one for the museum founded in 1977, which focuses on installation art.
Though "Acupuncture" won't have a sound element, it will include half a dozen "needles" or lines of light, each 65 to 100 feet in length.
Utilizing custom LED technology engineered by Pittsburgh-based Bunting Graphics, each needle will be made up of several 8-foot sections that will appear as one long needle of light.
"Since the piece will be visible from all sides, and the LEDs unfortunately only emit light in one direction, the engineers at Bunting had to invent a system to light up the back side of the LED, as well, without raising the costs of construction or the electrical-power usage," Kuhn says. "For this, they came up with a very efficient acrylic glass tube that diffuses the light in all directions plus gives the LED rods additional weather protection."
In anticipation of installation, slated for sometime in mid-2012 (after the funds are raised), a new roof will be installed on the building and steel supports will be erected onto which the "lightsticks" will be attached.
"It is serious hardware that we are dealing with here, and it will take some time and craftsmanship to install," Kuhn says.
"The big advantage of the LED technology is that the power consumption is extraordinary small," Kuhn adds. "Although this will be quite a big piece -- approximately 500 feet of bright light lines -- the power consumption will be less then 1.5 kilowatts per hour. This does not only end up in reasonable costs but also with a small carbon footprint."
So far, the design and engineering phase of this project has been completed, and just over $150,000 has been raised to cover the costs of that design and the necessary city permit. Luderowski says that $40,000 of that was spent on engineering, figuring for height, weight and wind resistance.
"We now need and are searching for the $500,000 it will take to put it together, erect it and put it on the roof," Luderowski says.
She hopes the piece will become a visible and significant marker for the North Side, and the city of Pittsburgh. "It's not a sign, or the typical kind of thing you'd find on roofs here," she says.
To kick-start the effort, an anonymous donor has offered $25,000 in the form of a "challenge grant," offering to match funds after that amount has been met.
"The lighting is a custom job. You couldn't just go and buy the lighting. It had to be engineered," Olijnyk says.
"Physically, the opportunity is so spectacular, because our building is this pedestal in the middle of this Victorian neighborhood," Olijnyk says. "It is six stories tall, and everything is below it. So it really is the perfect opportunity to have this happen here."
The installation, "Acupuncture," will be a permanent one for the museum founded in 1977, which focuses on installation art.
Though "Acupuncture" won't have a sound element, it will include half a dozen "needles" or lines of light, each 65 to 100 feet in length.
Utilizing custom LED technology engineered by Pittsburgh-based Bunting Graphics, each needle will be made up of several 8-foot sections that will appear as one long needle of light.
"Since the piece will be visible from all sides, and the LEDs unfortunately only emit light in one direction, the engineers at Bunting had to invent a system to light up the back side of the LED, as well, without raising the costs of construction or the electrical-power usage," Kuhn says. "For this, they came up with a very efficient acrylic glass tube that diffuses the light in all directions plus gives the LED rods additional weather protection."
In anticipation of installation, slated for sometime in mid-2012 (after the funds are raised), a new roof will be installed on the building and steel supports will be erected onto which the "lightsticks" will be attached.
"It is serious hardware that we are dealing with here, and it will take some time and craftsmanship to install," Kuhn says.
"The big advantage of the LED technology is that the power consumption is extraordinary small," Kuhn adds. "Although this will be quite a big piece -- approximately 500 feet of bright light lines -- the power consumption will be less then 1.5 kilowatts per hour. This does not only end up in reasonable costs but also with a small carbon footprint."
So far, the design and engineering phase of this project has been completed, and just over $150,000 has been raised to cover the costs of that design and the necessary city permit. Luderowski says that $40,000 of that was spent on engineering, figuring for height, weight and wind resistance.
"We now need and are searching for the $500,000 it will take to put it together, erect it and put it on the roof," Luderowski says.
She hopes the piece will become a visible and significant marker for the North Side, and the city of Pittsburgh. "It's not a sign, or the typical kind of thing you'd find on roofs here," she says.
To kick-start the effort, an anonymous donor has offered $25,000 in the form of a "challenge grant," offering to match funds after that amount has been met.
"The lighting is a custom job. You couldn't just go and buy the lighting. It had to be engineered," Olijnyk says.
"Physically, the opportunity is so spectacular, because our building is this pedestal in the middle of this Victorian neighborhood," Olijnyk says. "It is six stories tall, and everything is below it. So it really is the perfect opportunity to have this happen here."
Thursday 22 December 2011
Should Clark Griswold Have Switched to LED Christmas Lights?
Hats off to the Griswolds for getting a real tree instead of using a fake one, as a real Christmas tree is a more sustainable option than a plastic tree. But why stop there? With his bonus check already spent before it arrives, should Clark Griswold consider switching to LED Christmas lights (assuming it's not still 1985) to stop his electric meter from spinning out of control?
Pretending that Clark doesn't already have a tangle of Christmas lights in his garage, let's say he's starting from scratch. In that case, he'll need 250 strands of 100-bulb strings of lights. General Electric makes both LED and classic incandescent Christmas lights, so in the interest of making a direct comparison, we'll use those.
Clark seems like the kind of guy who would shop on Amazon, where you can get General Electric micro LED lights in 100-bulb strands for about $16 each. Old-fashioned lights run about $10 a strand for the same amount of bulbs. Overall, that's $4,000 in LED Christmas lights, compared to $2,500 for traditional technology. No wonder he doesn't have enough money to cover the down payment for the pool.
The good news for Clark's son Rusty is that with LED lights, even if one of the bulbs is out, the rest of the strand will still work, said Jeff Cloud, lighting program manager of GE Lighting. The popularity of LEDs has been growing year over year, with GE seeing about 30 percent growth in sales each year and LEDs claiming about half of the market.
Although not having to toss an entire strand when one light goes out is tempting, the real appeal of LED lights is the clean, bright light for 80 percent less energy. A traditional strand of GE lights uses about 40.8 watts of energy, compared to 8 watts for the LEDs.
The average home runs their lights about six hours a day for six weeks, according to market research by GE.
Obviously, Clark Griswold wasn't so organized, so let's assume the house is lit up for two weeks -- but for 12 hours a day. After all, this is a 'go big or go home' project.
If Clark has 250 strands of regular incandescent lights running for 168 hours during the holiday season, it will run him about $126 in utility bills, assuming he's paying about 7.4 cents per kWh living in the suburbs of Chicago. If Clark paid the national average of 11.5 cents per kWh, he'd be out nearly $200. Maybe not enough to require a nuclear peaker plant be brought online, but I digress.
The switch to LEDs, however, would cost about $25 at 7.4 cents per kilowatt-hour. However, the original cost was still $1,500 more for the strands of LEDs. For the average Christmas reveler, who doesn't wait until just before the crazy in-laws arrive to hang the Christmas lights and pay the national average for electricity, five strands of LEDs would cost about $1.18 for the season, compared to about $6 for incandescents. The payback would still take years, but hey, at least you wouldn't have to toss an entire string when a single bulb blows out.
Pretending that Clark doesn't already have a tangle of Christmas lights in his garage, let's say he's starting from scratch. In that case, he'll need 250 strands of 100-bulb strings of lights. General Electric makes both LED and classic incandescent Christmas lights, so in the interest of making a direct comparison, we'll use those.
Clark seems like the kind of guy who would shop on Amazon, where you can get General Electric micro LED lights in 100-bulb strands for about $16 each. Old-fashioned lights run about $10 a strand for the same amount of bulbs. Overall, that's $4,000 in LED Christmas lights, compared to $2,500 for traditional technology. No wonder he doesn't have enough money to cover the down payment for the pool.
The good news for Clark's son Rusty is that with LED lights, even if one of the bulbs is out, the rest of the strand will still work, said Jeff Cloud, lighting program manager of GE Lighting. The popularity of LEDs has been growing year over year, with GE seeing about 30 percent growth in sales each year and LEDs claiming about half of the market.
Although not having to toss an entire strand when one light goes out is tempting, the real appeal of LED lights is the clean, bright light for 80 percent less energy. A traditional strand of GE lights uses about 40.8 watts of energy, compared to 8 watts for the LEDs.
The average home runs their lights about six hours a day for six weeks, according to market research by GE.
Obviously, Clark Griswold wasn't so organized, so let's assume the house is lit up for two weeks -- but for 12 hours a day. After all, this is a 'go big or go home' project.
If Clark has 250 strands of regular incandescent lights running for 168 hours during the holiday season, it will run him about $126 in utility bills, assuming he's paying about 7.4 cents per kWh living in the suburbs of Chicago. If Clark paid the national average of 11.5 cents per kWh, he'd be out nearly $200. Maybe not enough to require a nuclear peaker plant be brought online, but I digress.
The switch to LEDs, however, would cost about $25 at 7.4 cents per kilowatt-hour. However, the original cost was still $1,500 more for the strands of LEDs. For the average Christmas reveler, who doesn't wait until just before the crazy in-laws arrive to hang the Christmas lights and pay the national average for electricity, five strands of LEDs would cost about $1.18 for the season, compared to about $6 for incandescents. The payback would still take years, but hey, at least you wouldn't have to toss an entire string when a single bulb blows out.
Wednesday 21 December 2011
What's Behind Delhi's Fogged In Flights?
For many residents of Delhi, winter means chilly nights, open-air concerts, strolls in the park and maybe a bout of flu.
But for frequent fliers, Delhi's winter also brings a shiver of dread over mangled flight schedules.
When a thick blanket of smog cloaked Delhi on Monday, about a dozen flights were reported to be grounded and scores of others delayed. This time last year, about 30 flights were diverted, 25 cancelled and more than 150 stalled for up to six hours at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport. The week leading into 2009 saw the disruption of hundreds of flights.
Could this problem be prevented?
Well, yes and no. The Delhi airport is equipped with instrument landing systems that allow for so-called CAT IIIB landings, or mostly automatic landings using a combination of radio signals and high intensity runway lighting, effective even when visibility is as low as 164 feet. These are the most sophisticated systems available in the world, but still, they can't always guarantee a landing.
"If the visibility drops below 50 meters, disruption is unavoidable," said E. K. Bharat Bhushan, the top official of India's main airline regulatory body, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. "No one, anywhere in the world, can go completely blind," he said.
Mr. Bhushan said the focus is now on making passengers as comfortable as possible by offering refreshments and prompt updates about their flights when they face a shuffled schedule.
But it's not only zero-visibility that is the problem. Analysts say that some aircraft are not equipped with CAT IIIB instruments and many airline pilots aren't trained, largely because of the costs involved, to know how to use these sophisticated instruments and keep their eyes peeled for the landing strip lights.
"Only 40 to 50 percent of pilots are trained," said Rajendra Kumar Jenamani, scientist and head of the meteorological watch office at Delhi airport.
Mr. Jenamani also says poor coordination between various parties, including the Delhi International Airport Limited, Air Traffic Control, and the airport's Meteorological Department contribute to disrupted flights. Mr. Jenamani cites the example of a flight dispatcher not briefing a pilot about fog gathering over Delhi before take-off from another country, even though the fog was likely to last 10 to 12 hours.
So when did the fog in Delhi get this bad?
Analysts say the turning point was 1997. A cocktail of factors contributed: a shift in the land-use patterns, increased pollution, and more moisture due to irrigation led to a drop in the temperature by a few degrees and more fog between December and January, they say.
While fog does plague other places, like London's Heathrow Airport for instance, it lasts only for a few days. In Delhi, it can last for 20 to 25 days. Mr. Jenamani said Delhi is hard hit because of the city's geographic location, the open space at the airport, and the prevalent wind patterns.
But for frequent fliers, Delhi's winter also brings a shiver of dread over mangled flight schedules.
When a thick blanket of smog cloaked Delhi on Monday, about a dozen flights were reported to be grounded and scores of others delayed. This time last year, about 30 flights were diverted, 25 cancelled and more than 150 stalled for up to six hours at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport. The week leading into 2009 saw the disruption of hundreds of flights.
Could this problem be prevented?
Well, yes and no. The Delhi airport is equipped with instrument landing systems that allow for so-called CAT IIIB landings, or mostly automatic landings using a combination of radio signals and high intensity runway lighting, effective even when visibility is as low as 164 feet. These are the most sophisticated systems available in the world, but still, they can't always guarantee a landing.
"If the visibility drops below 50 meters, disruption is unavoidable," said E. K. Bharat Bhushan, the top official of India's main airline regulatory body, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. "No one, anywhere in the world, can go completely blind," he said.
Mr. Bhushan said the focus is now on making passengers as comfortable as possible by offering refreshments and prompt updates about their flights when they face a shuffled schedule.
But it's not only zero-visibility that is the problem. Analysts say that some aircraft are not equipped with CAT IIIB instruments and many airline pilots aren't trained, largely because of the costs involved, to know how to use these sophisticated instruments and keep their eyes peeled for the landing strip lights.
"Only 40 to 50 percent of pilots are trained," said Rajendra Kumar Jenamani, scientist and head of the meteorological watch office at Delhi airport.
Mr. Jenamani also says poor coordination between various parties, including the Delhi International Airport Limited, Air Traffic Control, and the airport's Meteorological Department contribute to disrupted flights. Mr. Jenamani cites the example of a flight dispatcher not briefing a pilot about fog gathering over Delhi before take-off from another country, even though the fog was likely to last 10 to 12 hours.
So when did the fog in Delhi get this bad?
Analysts say the turning point was 1997. A cocktail of factors contributed: a shift in the land-use patterns, increased pollution, and more moisture due to irrigation led to a drop in the temperature by a few degrees and more fog between December and January, they say.
While fog does plague other places, like London's Heathrow Airport for instance, it lasts only for a few days. In Delhi, it can last for 20 to 25 days. Mr. Jenamani said Delhi is hard hit because of the city's geographic location, the open space at the airport, and the prevalent wind patterns.
Tuesday 20 December 2011
Hungarian city installs over 6200 LED street lights
Tungsram-Schreder has supplied over 6200 LED luminaires to replace all of the street-lighting installations in the Hungarian city of Hodmezovasarhely.
The city of Hodmezovasarhely in south-east Hungary has replaced all of its street lights with more than 6200 LED luminaires supplied by Tungsram-Schreder, a Hungary-based member of the Belgium-based Schreder Group.
The new lighting scheme is expected to generate energy savings of between 35% and 40% for the city, and will also dramatically reduce maintenance costs. It has also enabled the city to cut CO2 emissions by 415 tonnes - the equivalent of turning off approximately 6,500 television screens or 8,000 washing machines.
Hodmezovasarhely launched a tender in 2010 to replace all of its street-lighting installations. The local authorities wanted an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly solution that would make use of modern technologies.
After analysing the different products available on the market, the local general contractor (E-OS Innovative) selected Tungsram-Schreder to develop a high-quality, cost-effective lighting scheme for the city.
Tungsram-Schreder developed two luminaires- the Sapphire LED and the Aresa LED. Over 6,200 luminaires have been installed throughout the city, dramatically improving the urban landscape.
The lighting manufacturer worked closely with the local authorities on this project since, as it points out, simply choosing a LED luminaire will not guarantee a successful installation. Each city has different lighting infrastructures: various parameters such as the road surfaces, electrical network, and pole distances and heights, need to be considered.
Bjorn Brandt, General Manager at Tungsram-Schreder, explains: "The trick is to create a so-called lighting master plan, street by street, which will ensure that the long-term goals and expectations are really achieved. The final solution must be durable and should only require minimal maintenance."
The new lighting scheme has improved lighting levels, making roads and public spaces more secure. The luminaires are fitted with LEDs with a carefully-selected color temperature of 4200K. The aim, says Tungsram-Schreder, was "to provide a white light with excellent visual comfort and with a high color-rendering index which creates a much more pleasant environment - buildings have recovered their true colours!"
A survey carried out after the first installation revealed that the inhabitants are delighted with the new lighting, especially in terms of visual comfort.
The city of Hodmezovasarhely in south-east Hungary has replaced all of its street lights with more than 6200 LED luminaires supplied by Tungsram-Schreder, a Hungary-based member of the Belgium-based Schreder Group.
The new lighting scheme is expected to generate energy savings of between 35% and 40% for the city, and will also dramatically reduce maintenance costs. It has also enabled the city to cut CO2 emissions by 415 tonnes - the equivalent of turning off approximately 6,500 television screens or 8,000 washing machines.
Hodmezovasarhely launched a tender in 2010 to replace all of its street-lighting installations. The local authorities wanted an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly solution that would make use of modern technologies.
After analysing the different products available on the market, the local general contractor (E-OS Innovative) selected Tungsram-Schreder to develop a high-quality, cost-effective lighting scheme for the city.
Tungsram-Schreder developed two luminaires- the Sapphire LED and the Aresa LED. Over 6,200 luminaires have been installed throughout the city, dramatically improving the urban landscape.
The lighting manufacturer worked closely with the local authorities on this project since, as it points out, simply choosing a LED luminaire will not guarantee a successful installation. Each city has different lighting infrastructures: various parameters such as the road surfaces, electrical network, and pole distances and heights, need to be considered.
Bjorn Brandt, General Manager at Tungsram-Schreder, explains: "The trick is to create a so-called lighting master plan, street by street, which will ensure that the long-term goals and expectations are really achieved. The final solution must be durable and should only require minimal maintenance."
The new lighting scheme has improved lighting levels, making roads and public spaces more secure. The luminaires are fitted with LEDs with a carefully-selected color temperature of 4200K. The aim, says Tungsram-Schreder, was "to provide a white light with excellent visual comfort and with a high color-rendering index which creates a much more pleasant environment - buildings have recovered their true colours!"
A survey carried out after the first installation revealed that the inhabitants are delighted with the new lighting, especially in terms of visual comfort.
Monday 19 December 2011
Electric mopeds trump cars and motorcycles
Mopeds are rarely thought of as anything other than a stepping stone towards car ownership for teenagers or a death-defying way of delivering a pizza before it gets cold, but an appetite for good-looking electric vehicles that can be bought today and won't break the bank is breathing life into the low-powered, two wheeler market.
The Juicer 48 pictured right is a custom-built electric bike and a moped in the classic sense – a low-powered motor and pedals to help get the machine moving at low speeds.
The bike has been built very deliberately with styling as a priority – its appearance borrows heavily from American motorcycles of the 1920s.
The bike can manage 13 miles at 20mph, but can reach an unrestricted top speed of 46mph.
Many electric mopeds or e-bikes are lighter and offer a better range, but unfortunately mopeds are subject to different classifications and a bewildering array of regulation depending on where you are in the world. For example, any power-assisted bicycle capable of more than 15mph must undergo the onerous task of being registered as a motorcycle. By contrast, a good-quality road bicycle – without an electric motor – can cruise easily at 25mph but is not subject to the same regulation.
It seems likely that the government will heed advice from the ETA and other organisation's to remove the 40kg weight limit imposed on electrically-assisted bicycles, thereby allowing cargo-carrying bicycles to benefit from electric motors.
A spokesperson for the ETA, which insures conventional and electric bicycles, said: "The promotion of electric vehicles is back to front; the government appears blind to the wider benefits of electric bicycles and mopeds that do not need the investment in technology and infrastructure required by electric cars."
Bicycles currently represent the most efficient and realistic application for electric motor technology; battery-powered cars and motorcycles are heavy and troublesome to charge without widespread charging points, but e-bikes are light enough to be carried into a house to be re-charged. Furthermore, the electrically-assisted bicycle is the ultimate hybrid; if the battery runs flat, the rider can switch to leg power in an instant.
Christmas shopping for kids these days can be a complicated proposition for technologically challenged grandparents who don't watch a lot of cartoons on television.
There are so many battery-operated whiz-bang toys on the shelves, many with hefty price tags. These gadgets light up, transform, require additional games and cartridges, and in some cases are so complicated that you almost need an engineering degree to put them together.
That's why I had to chuckle when a friend passed along a story written by Jonathan Liu on a website called GeekDad.
Liu listed the five greatest toys ever made. Because this was on a website read by, well, geeks, I assumed it would list the latest computer games or kids gadgets.
The five greatest kids toys of all time included a stick, a cardboard box, string, cardboard tubes and dirt.
How many Christmas mornings have you watched your kids tear through a cornucopia of expensive gifts, only to set them aside and play with the wrapping paper or create a fort out of a big box?
The Juicer 48 pictured right is a custom-built electric bike and a moped in the classic sense – a low-powered motor and pedals to help get the machine moving at low speeds.
The bike has been built very deliberately with styling as a priority – its appearance borrows heavily from American motorcycles of the 1920s.
The bike can manage 13 miles at 20mph, but can reach an unrestricted top speed of 46mph.
Many electric mopeds or e-bikes are lighter and offer a better range, but unfortunately mopeds are subject to different classifications and a bewildering array of regulation depending on where you are in the world. For example, any power-assisted bicycle capable of more than 15mph must undergo the onerous task of being registered as a motorcycle. By contrast, a good-quality road bicycle – without an electric motor – can cruise easily at 25mph but is not subject to the same regulation.
It seems likely that the government will heed advice from the ETA and other organisation's to remove the 40kg weight limit imposed on electrically-assisted bicycles, thereby allowing cargo-carrying bicycles to benefit from electric motors.
A spokesperson for the ETA, which insures conventional and electric bicycles, said: "The promotion of electric vehicles is back to front; the government appears blind to the wider benefits of electric bicycles and mopeds that do not need the investment in technology and infrastructure required by electric cars."
Bicycles currently represent the most efficient and realistic application for electric motor technology; battery-powered cars and motorcycles are heavy and troublesome to charge without widespread charging points, but e-bikes are light enough to be carried into a house to be re-charged. Furthermore, the electrically-assisted bicycle is the ultimate hybrid; if the battery runs flat, the rider can switch to leg power in an instant.
Christmas shopping for kids these days can be a complicated proposition for technologically challenged grandparents who don't watch a lot of cartoons on television.
There are so many battery-operated whiz-bang toys on the shelves, many with hefty price tags. These gadgets light up, transform, require additional games and cartridges, and in some cases are so complicated that you almost need an engineering degree to put them together.
That's why I had to chuckle when a friend passed along a story written by Jonathan Liu on a website called GeekDad.
Liu listed the five greatest toys ever made. Because this was on a website read by, well, geeks, I assumed it would list the latest computer games or kids gadgets.
The five greatest kids toys of all time included a stick, a cardboard box, string, cardboard tubes and dirt.
How many Christmas mornings have you watched your kids tear through a cornucopia of expensive gifts, only to set them aside and play with the wrapping paper or create a fort out of a big box?
Sunday 18 December 2011
Linksys Wi-Fi devices
The cut throat world of home data networking is a dog-eat-dog business, and standing still is much like going backwards.
Linksys, Cisco's house brand is acutely aware of this and have been working overtime to develop a raft of new gear. With the inclusion of zippy 802.11n wireless and gigabit ethernet, these new Linksys goodies are designed from the ground up to keep pace with our growing appetite for bandwidth as we sling HD video and 5.1 channel surround audio around our homes with wild abandon thanks to the growing number of gizmos such as ultrabooks, tablets, game consoles, smart TVs that are busily consuming data.
SE2550 5-Port Switch
First cab off the rank is the Linksys SE2500 5-port Gigabit Switch which gives existing wired networks an upgrade to Gigabit networking, significantly improving performance in the process by shunting data around at speeds up to 10x faster than 10/100 ethernet. This said you'll need gigabit ethernet capable devices to realise these speed benefits. Looks-wise the SE2500 is a sleek yet understated bit of gear.
Perhaps the first question you'd need to ask is just what is a network switch and why would I need one? Where routers are designed to move traffic around your network, a network switch acts a lot like a multi-plug power strip outlet, allowing you to plug multiple ethernet connected devices into your network.
In short, if you're running out of ethernet ports on your router, odds are that you'll probably need a network switch.
Speaking of getting set up; installing the SE2500 was a quick and pain-free process. Un-boxing the SE2500, I connected it to the one remaining ethernet port on my router, hooked up all the networked widgets that I'd previously not been able to connect and powered it on. It simply worked, so good riddance to plug 'n' pray.
Using to video conference used to be a pretty painful experience involving stuttery audio and slow-mo video slideshows (especially when my network was already under load), this has however become considerably less commonplace as the SE2500 comes with a rudimentary form of Quality of Service or QOS which prioritises network traffic to ensure that Skype and other capacity sensitive data is not impacted as load on the network grows.
Another biggie for me, and my wallet, is power usage. Thankfully the SE2500 features auto-sensing ports that'll not only adjust their data throughput for each connected device, but will also power down when unused. Better still, the SE2500 will also enter a power saving sleep mode when all ethernet ports are inactive.
Another feature that impressed with the E2500 was the inclusion of a port status switch for control LED lights so I didn't end up with an impromptu light show in my lounge.
Linksys, Cisco's house brand is acutely aware of this and have been working overtime to develop a raft of new gear. With the inclusion of zippy 802.11n wireless and gigabit ethernet, these new Linksys goodies are designed from the ground up to keep pace with our growing appetite for bandwidth as we sling HD video and 5.1 channel surround audio around our homes with wild abandon thanks to the growing number of gizmos such as ultrabooks, tablets, game consoles, smart TVs that are busily consuming data.
SE2550 5-Port Switch
First cab off the rank is the Linksys SE2500 5-port Gigabit Switch which gives existing wired networks an upgrade to Gigabit networking, significantly improving performance in the process by shunting data around at speeds up to 10x faster than 10/100 ethernet. This said you'll need gigabit ethernet capable devices to realise these speed benefits. Looks-wise the SE2500 is a sleek yet understated bit of gear.
Perhaps the first question you'd need to ask is just what is a network switch and why would I need one? Where routers are designed to move traffic around your network, a network switch acts a lot like a multi-plug power strip outlet, allowing you to plug multiple ethernet connected devices into your network.
In short, if you're running out of ethernet ports on your router, odds are that you'll probably need a network switch.
Speaking of getting set up; installing the SE2500 was a quick and pain-free process. Un-boxing the SE2500, I connected it to the one remaining ethernet port on my router, hooked up all the networked widgets that I'd previously not been able to connect and powered it on. It simply worked, so good riddance to plug 'n' pray.
Using to video conference used to be a pretty painful experience involving stuttery audio and slow-mo video slideshows (especially when my network was already under load), this has however become considerably less commonplace as the SE2500 comes with a rudimentary form of Quality of Service or QOS which prioritises network traffic to ensure that Skype and other capacity sensitive data is not impacted as load on the network grows.
Another biggie for me, and my wallet, is power usage. Thankfully the SE2500 features auto-sensing ports that'll not only adjust their data throughput for each connected device, but will also power down when unused. Better still, the SE2500 will also enter a power saving sleep mode when all ethernet ports are inactive.
Another feature that impressed with the E2500 was the inclusion of a port status switch for control LED lights so I didn't end up with an impromptu light show in my lounge.
Thursday 15 December 2011
Tips for a bright - and efficient - Christmas
Last year, I loaded up the Christmas stockings of relatives and friends with 60-watt Philips LEDs -- light-emitting diode -- light bulbs, and this holiday I'll do it again. Why give a present few people even know they want? Because LEDs are the gift that keeps on giving, saving money every month on electric bills.
Here's an example: If you burn a 60-watt incandescent bulb for four hours a day and electricity costs 11 cents/kilowatt-hour, switching to an equivalent LED will save $8.83 a year. True, the LED might cost almost $25, but it will pay for itself in decreased power costs in just 2.8 years, according to a review of energy costs across the West.
If that same bulb burns 12 hours a day, your LED will pay for itself in a year, or even less with a rebate. Depending on energy costs and how much you use a bulb, you'll save $1.65 to $35 each year off electric bills if you use the more efficient LED. And if you don't make the switch to LEDs, you will forfeit as much as $35 a year to any utility charging 15 cents/kWh.
LED replacement bulbs for conventional, non-fluorescent fixtures now use only one-fifth of the energy required by incandescent bulbs. For many applications, payback is within the five-to-six-year warranty period. From then on for 10 to 18 more years, the life of an LED, it's an 80 percent net savings.
The price of light-emitting diodes is dropping fast. Last year, a 12.5-watt Philips (60-watt replacement) bulb cost $40. Now, it's $24.97, less for smaller wattage replacements. Because of their long life, LEDs are ideal for high-use areas or hard-to-reach bulbs. LED technology also works great in cold weather or for motion-sensitive applications. If garage door openers, ceiling fans or other vibrating apparatus destroy your bulbs, try LEDs.
What's more, LEDs turn on instantly and are dimmable. The manufacturer's dimmer compatibility charts indicate whether they will work with your dimmer. Take advantage of the 30-to-90 day return policies if they don't. LEDs also have no mercury and are fully recyclable.
By switching to LEDs to save energy, you are helping to avoid the cost of building new power plants. Lighting currently accounts for 30 percent of residential electricity usage; making it 80 percent more efficient ends the need for additional generation that drives our electric bills up.
If your store doesn't sell the light color you want, you can order it online. Many prefer a soft white, 2700 K (Kelvin). If you want a whiter light, try bulbs in a higher Kelvin range. If you need Christmas decorations or light output different from the 60-watt equivalent, LEDs are available for that, too.
Sometimes -- when you want to look closely at your face, for example -- color-rendering is important. Philips just won the Department of Energy's first $10 million L-prize for developing a reliable 60-watt replacement with an energy-efficient 9.7-watt LED. In order to do so, Philips had to produce a LED that ranked 90 or above on a color-rendering index; the company surpassed that with a rank of 93.
Famous for the invention of Blu-ray and DVD, Philips has 25 manufacturing facilities in this country and is spending the L-prize money to expand its U.S. plants so that its L-Prize bulb will be available by April 2012. The government is also testing GE and Science Lighting bulbs to see if they qualify for L-prize funding.
Here's an example: If you burn a 60-watt incandescent bulb for four hours a day and electricity costs 11 cents/kilowatt-hour, switching to an equivalent LED will save $8.83 a year. True, the LED might cost almost $25, but it will pay for itself in decreased power costs in just 2.8 years, according to a review of energy costs across the West.
If that same bulb burns 12 hours a day, your LED will pay for itself in a year, or even less with a rebate. Depending on energy costs and how much you use a bulb, you'll save $1.65 to $35 each year off electric bills if you use the more efficient LED. And if you don't make the switch to LEDs, you will forfeit as much as $35 a year to any utility charging 15 cents/kWh.
LED replacement bulbs for conventional, non-fluorescent fixtures now use only one-fifth of the energy required by incandescent bulbs. For many applications, payback is within the five-to-six-year warranty period. From then on for 10 to 18 more years, the life of an LED, it's an 80 percent net savings.
The price of light-emitting diodes is dropping fast. Last year, a 12.5-watt Philips (60-watt replacement) bulb cost $40. Now, it's $24.97, less for smaller wattage replacements. Because of their long life, LEDs are ideal for high-use areas or hard-to-reach bulbs. LED technology also works great in cold weather or for motion-sensitive applications. If garage door openers, ceiling fans or other vibrating apparatus destroy your bulbs, try LEDs.
What's more, LEDs turn on instantly and are dimmable. The manufacturer's dimmer compatibility charts indicate whether they will work with your dimmer. Take advantage of the 30-to-90 day return policies if they don't. LEDs also have no mercury and are fully recyclable.
By switching to LEDs to save energy, you are helping to avoid the cost of building new power plants. Lighting currently accounts for 30 percent of residential electricity usage; making it 80 percent more efficient ends the need for additional generation that drives our electric bills up.
If your store doesn't sell the light color you want, you can order it online. Many prefer a soft white, 2700 K (Kelvin). If you want a whiter light, try bulbs in a higher Kelvin range. If you need Christmas decorations or light output different from the 60-watt equivalent, LEDs are available for that, too.
Sometimes -- when you want to look closely at your face, for example -- color-rendering is important. Philips just won the Department of Energy's first $10 million L-prize for developing a reliable 60-watt replacement with an energy-efficient 9.7-watt LED. In order to do so, Philips had to produce a LED that ranked 90 or above on a color-rendering index; the company surpassed that with a rank of 93.
Famous for the invention of Blu-ray and DVD, Philips has 25 manufacturing facilities in this country and is spending the L-prize money to expand its U.S. plants so that its L-Prize bulb will be available by April 2012. The government is also testing GE and Science Lighting bulbs to see if they qualify for L-prize funding.
Tuesday 13 December 2011
Tight budget forces cutback in downtown Christmas lights
Sparse, single-color holiday lighting downtown this season has some people wondering if the Grinch has stolen Christmas.
Every year, Grand Junction's Downtown Development Authority contracts out for the lighting services. The city of Grand Junction typically strings lights high into the sycamore trees that line Main Street.
This year the DDA purchased strands of bluish-tinted LED lights and contractor Liqui-Green Tree & Turf Care, the only qualified bidder that applied, took on the project, DDA marketing director Kathy Dirks.
The organization "did what we could with the budget," she said about the lighting.
Also, the DDA is attempting to light up more of the downtown, such as Colorado Avenue and Seventh Street, than in past years, attempting to make their light strands stretch farther.
The DDA could not afford to hire a bucket truck to get the lights into the tops of downtown's tallest trees, Dirks said.
Grand Junction spokeswoman Sam Rainguet said the city usually places lights through the tops of trees on Main Street, but the process was considered too time-consuming and costly. The city has fewer workers this year to complete the work. Costs for the lights were about $2,500 to $3,000 a year, but employee time to string the lights would have far exceeded that price, she said.
"We're running a leaner and more scaled-back version this year," Rainguet said. "The numbers of bodies to do the project has decreased."
The city owns the lights it places in the treetops, Rainguet said.
Dirks said red ribbons were placed on some prominent trees, such as the tree in the roundabout on Seventh and Main streets, in order to add decorations that could be seen in the daytime. Also, individual businesses were encouraged to decorate for the holidays.
Focus of the Main Street lighting project went to the featured Christmas tree in front of Wells Fargo, which is strewn with 1,400 feet of lights, Dirks said.
Make sure your electric circuit can handle the amount of current you're drawing from it. Check appliance boxes for wattage information, including Christmas lights and decorations, and remember, just because you have two different outlets doesn't mean they're on separate circuits.
"Some people like to put as many lights up as what's-his-name from (National Lampoon's) 'Christmas Vacation.' You have to make up your mind: if you're going to be Clark Griswold for Christmas you're going to need better lighting circuits in your home. Your circuit panel in the basement better be rated for the amount of lights you're going to put up, and most peoples' are minimal."
Every year, Grand Junction's Downtown Development Authority contracts out for the lighting services. The city of Grand Junction typically strings lights high into the sycamore trees that line Main Street.
This year the DDA purchased strands of bluish-tinted LED lights and contractor Liqui-Green Tree & Turf Care, the only qualified bidder that applied, took on the project, DDA marketing director Kathy Dirks.
The organization "did what we could with the budget," she said about the lighting.
Also, the DDA is attempting to light up more of the downtown, such as Colorado Avenue and Seventh Street, than in past years, attempting to make their light strands stretch farther.
The DDA could not afford to hire a bucket truck to get the lights into the tops of downtown's tallest trees, Dirks said.
Grand Junction spokeswoman Sam Rainguet said the city usually places lights through the tops of trees on Main Street, but the process was considered too time-consuming and costly. The city has fewer workers this year to complete the work. Costs for the lights were about $2,500 to $3,000 a year, but employee time to string the lights would have far exceeded that price, she said.
"We're running a leaner and more scaled-back version this year," Rainguet said. "The numbers of bodies to do the project has decreased."
The city owns the lights it places in the treetops, Rainguet said.
Dirks said red ribbons were placed on some prominent trees, such as the tree in the roundabout on Seventh and Main streets, in order to add decorations that could be seen in the daytime. Also, individual businesses were encouraged to decorate for the holidays.
Focus of the Main Street lighting project went to the featured Christmas tree in front of Wells Fargo, which is strewn with 1,400 feet of lights, Dirks said.
Make sure your electric circuit can handle the amount of current you're drawing from it. Check appliance boxes for wattage information, including Christmas lights and decorations, and remember, just because you have two different outlets doesn't mean they're on separate circuits.
"Some people like to put as many lights up as what's-his-name from (National Lampoon's) 'Christmas Vacation.' You have to make up your mind: if you're going to be Clark Griswold for Christmas you're going to need better lighting circuits in your home. Your circuit panel in the basement better be rated for the amount of lights you're going to put up, and most peoples' are minimal."
Monday 12 December 2011
World's first light bulb recycling machine launched
REVEND RECYCLING LIMITED, a UK corporation, announces today the launch of an innovative reverse vending recycling machine for the collection and recycling of domestic light bulbs and domestic batteries. From Steve Stothard.
The patented reVend reverse vending recycling machine is the "FIRST" domestic light bulb reverse vending recycling machine of its type in the World and has been jointly designed and developed by Revend Recycling Ltd and Repant ASA, a corporation listed on the Norwegian Stock Exchange.
The light bulb recycling machine has an add-on unit, as an option, for the collection and recycling of domestic batteries which contain valuable and scarce natural mineral resources.
Increased demand for recycling light bulbs and the international change over to CFL and LED domestic light bulbs and the recycling of domestic batteries is a key environment policy for all Governments, the EU Commission and the United Nations.
Recycling rates in the domestic lighting industry is in "sharp focus" internationally as significant waste tonnage amounts remain untreated and unprocessed. Used light bulbs frequently end up in "landfill" sites at considerable environmental and financial cost.
The new range of light bulb recycling machines from Revend will help to increase national recycling rates and assist companies and organisations comply with their recycling targets and environmental recycling obligations.
Revend Recycling will sell & market unique reverse vending recycling machines throughout Europe, USA & worldwide under its brand name Revend.
Revend Recycling recently concluded a supply agreement with IKEA of Sweden, a leading international retailer, and will install a significant number of machines in several IKEA stores throughout Europe, including the UK, Germany, & Denmark.
Revend Recycling pioneered the supply agreement with IKEA following a successful "pilot" installation in IKEA, Lakeside Shopping Centre near London, UK.
IKEA is the first to install the unique light bulb reverse vending recycling technology in its stores starting with IKEA Wembley and IKEA Wednesbury, West Midlands.
Customers of IKEA who recycle used light bulbs will automatically receive a reward incentive voucher to use in-store and also have the option to make a donation to Charity – UNICEF; Save the Children; WWF and the Woodland Trust.
A major sales and PR marketing campaign internationally has been launched to promote the unique light bulb recycling machine and battery collection unit.
The patented reVend reverse vending recycling machine is the "FIRST" domestic light bulb reverse vending recycling machine of its type in the World and has been jointly designed and developed by Revend Recycling Ltd and Repant ASA, a corporation listed on the Norwegian Stock Exchange.
The light bulb recycling machine has an add-on unit, as an option, for the collection and recycling of domestic batteries which contain valuable and scarce natural mineral resources.
Increased demand for recycling light bulbs and the international change over to CFL and LED domestic light bulbs and the recycling of domestic batteries is a key environment policy for all Governments, the EU Commission and the United Nations.
Recycling rates in the domestic lighting industry is in "sharp focus" internationally as significant waste tonnage amounts remain untreated and unprocessed. Used light bulbs frequently end up in "landfill" sites at considerable environmental and financial cost.
The new range of light bulb recycling machines from Revend will help to increase national recycling rates and assist companies and organisations comply with their recycling targets and environmental recycling obligations.
Revend Recycling will sell & market unique reverse vending recycling machines throughout Europe, USA & worldwide under its brand name Revend.
Revend Recycling recently concluded a supply agreement with IKEA of Sweden, a leading international retailer, and will install a significant number of machines in several IKEA stores throughout Europe, including the UK, Germany, & Denmark.
Revend Recycling pioneered the supply agreement with IKEA following a successful "pilot" installation in IKEA, Lakeside Shopping Centre near London, UK.
IKEA is the first to install the unique light bulb reverse vending recycling technology in its stores starting with IKEA Wembley and IKEA Wednesbury, West Midlands.
Customers of IKEA who recycle used light bulbs will automatically receive a reward incentive voucher to use in-store and also have the option to make a donation to Charity – UNICEF; Save the Children; WWF and the Woodland Trust.
A major sales and PR marketing campaign internationally has been launched to promote the unique light bulb recycling machine and battery collection unit.
Sunday 11 December 2011
'Smart' streetlights are bringing the future to Chattanooga today
Imagine strobing streetlights warning you that a tornado is bearing down on Chattanooga.
Think about those lights flashing in waves to signal the proper direction of an evacuation route in the event of a nuclear or hazardous materials alert. What if the streetlights also could hold plug-in crime surveillance cameras and real-time pollution monitoring sensors?
Well, the possibility isn't decades away. It's now -- but only in Chattanooga.
"The world's smartest lights are made in Chattanooga," proclaims the Web page of Global Green Lighting Inc., a company of Don Lepard. The long-time Chattanooga resident and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduate is moving jobs here from China to make the most of his company's innovative streetlights, tested first at Coolidge Park.
Last week, Mayor Ron Littlefield touted Coolidge Park's "smart" streetlights to a visiting conference. He said Chattanooga could save $1.5 million on its annual $11 million electric bill by expanding that technology to all of the city's streetlights.
But the mayor's chief of staff, Dan Johnson, has even higher hopes for a lighting system he says he's "sold on."
"I think the savings is approximately 50 percent, and the streetlights portion of our bill was $4 [million] to $4.5 million in fiscal 2010," Johnson said. "We've been looking at this for months, and I think in the long run it won't cost the city any money. We'll have some front-end startup expenses, but within six months, we'll start saving money."
The deal isn't finalized yet. Johnson and Lepard say negotiations are continuing. But requests for bids have been issued and Global Green Lighting won the nod.
"Basically, [retrofitting] the lighting in the entire city is a huge project, and we're going to take that in steps," Johnson said. "But if everything was done at once, which it won't be, it would total about $20 million."
While the lights may slice the city's power bill $1.5 million a year, EPB's Harold DePriest said it's kind of a wash for the electricity distributor.
"We give the city a pass-through for the streetlights. We sell them that power for the same price it costs us," he said. "Plus, [saving energy is] the right thing to do."
About 80 of those jobs will be imported from China, where Lepard previously contracted for the solid-state components used in Global Manufacturing Alliance Group, the electronics repackaging business he started nearly 15 years ago in Soddy-Daisy.
But Lepard, and David Crockett, head of Chattanooga's Office of Sustainability, have still bigger job plans: streetlight recycling. And smart-light training.
After all, what's going to happen to the thousands of lights being replaced? And who knows how to program and control lights using software programs?
"Sure, we could just take out the old lights and sell the ones that work to another town," Crockett said. "But that doesn't really take that light off the grid, it just makes them somebody else's big energy user."
He said the city will train public works and police officials to "make the most of the new lights."
"But we won't stop there. We hope to export that new knowledge, and train people in other municipalities as they get the new lights," said Crockett.
Think about those lights flashing in waves to signal the proper direction of an evacuation route in the event of a nuclear or hazardous materials alert. What if the streetlights also could hold plug-in crime surveillance cameras and real-time pollution monitoring sensors?
Well, the possibility isn't decades away. It's now -- but only in Chattanooga.
"The world's smartest lights are made in Chattanooga," proclaims the Web page of Global Green Lighting Inc., a company of Don Lepard. The long-time Chattanooga resident and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduate is moving jobs here from China to make the most of his company's innovative streetlights, tested first at Coolidge Park.
Last week, Mayor Ron Littlefield touted Coolidge Park's "smart" streetlights to a visiting conference. He said Chattanooga could save $1.5 million on its annual $11 million electric bill by expanding that technology to all of the city's streetlights.
But the mayor's chief of staff, Dan Johnson, has even higher hopes for a lighting system he says he's "sold on."
"I think the savings is approximately 50 percent, and the streetlights portion of our bill was $4 [million] to $4.5 million in fiscal 2010," Johnson said. "We've been looking at this for months, and I think in the long run it won't cost the city any money. We'll have some front-end startup expenses, but within six months, we'll start saving money."
The deal isn't finalized yet. Johnson and Lepard say negotiations are continuing. But requests for bids have been issued and Global Green Lighting won the nod.
"Basically, [retrofitting] the lighting in the entire city is a huge project, and we're going to take that in steps," Johnson said. "But if everything was done at once, which it won't be, it would total about $20 million."
While the lights may slice the city's power bill $1.5 million a year, EPB's Harold DePriest said it's kind of a wash for the electricity distributor.
"We give the city a pass-through for the streetlights. We sell them that power for the same price it costs us," he said. "Plus, [saving energy is] the right thing to do."
About 80 of those jobs will be imported from China, where Lepard previously contracted for the solid-state components used in Global Manufacturing Alliance Group, the electronics repackaging business he started nearly 15 years ago in Soddy-Daisy.
But Lepard, and David Crockett, head of Chattanooga's Office of Sustainability, have still bigger job plans: streetlight recycling. And smart-light training.
After all, what's going to happen to the thousands of lights being replaced? And who knows how to program and control lights using software programs?
"Sure, we could just take out the old lights and sell the ones that work to another town," Crockett said. "But that doesn't really take that light off the grid, it just makes them somebody else's big energy user."
He said the city will train public works and police officials to "make the most of the new lights."
"But we won't stop there. We hope to export that new knowledge, and train people in other municipalities as they get the new lights," said Crockett.
Thursday 8 December 2011
Seoul Semiconductor launches ZC chip-on-board DC LED
South Korean LED maker Seoul Semiconductor Co Ltd has launched Z-Power COB, its chip-on-board (COB) type of direct current (DC) LED. Developed on the basis of the firm's Z-Power LEDs, the ZC series can be used as a high-brightness, high-power light source, to both decrease thermal resistance and increase LED lighting product life expectancy. The ZC series also allows manufacturers to conveniently install and design price-competitive products, the firm claims.
Designed as a COB product, the ZC Series eliminates the need for the LED to be surface-mounted onto a metal plate, allowing manufacturers to bypass the chip connection process before use. Companies can trim manufacturing and management costs and improve the end product, Seoul Semiconductor claims.
The use of highly reflective aluminium substrates in the ZC Series also greatly improves the brightness and significantly prolongs LED bulb life-span. Using a single ZC chip permits the development of an LED light bulb that allows light to be distributed more evenly than lighting that connects several LED packages to a single module.
ZC will be offered in 6W, 10W and 16W versions, as replacements for 40W and 60W incandescent light bulbs and 100W down-lights, respectively.
"The ZC Series will enable manufacturers to easily produce LED light designs that ultimately afford consumers with longer-lasting LED lights at decreased electricity costs," says Seoul Semiconductor VP Sunghoon Bae. "As with the recent release of our AC LED, Acrich2, the launch of the ZC Series is aligned with Seoul Semiconductor's commitment to providing consumers with a diverse and innovative product portfolio rooted in research and development investment," he adds.
There are plenty of traditions and pageantry that serve as the perfect buildup for the Carol of Lights. But year after year, the main attraction remains the lights themselves.
Every year, 25,000 orange, red and white lights are strung, and then turned on in unison at the annual Carol of Lights. And while the breathtaking glow officially marks the beginning of the holiday season at Texas Tech, the school also is taking steps to conserve energy.
According to Stephen Howard, a foreman with the Texas Tech physical plant, the school currently is in the process of switching out its old bulbs to LED ones. The switch is being done in 20 percent increments, and this year 60 percent of the bulbs will be LED, which use less energy.
"They plan to complete the process at the 2013 Carol of Lights," said Craig Kuehnert, manager for student development for the Residence Halls Association. "With the old bulbs, the school was paying on average $1,437 a month for the electricity bill. Once all the bulbs are replaced, they estimate that the bill will drop to $197.46. That's more than an 80 percent decrease."
The bulbs are being purchased locally and still are powered through the utility system that runs through the tunnels of the university. The lights also are connected to one common timer that controls when they turn on and off.
The honor of first turning on the lights on the night of the Carol of Lights belongs to the Residence Halls Association president. And this year, Nick Lamy will flip the switch that elicits the "oohs" and "ahs" from the crowd in attendance.
Designed as a COB product, the ZC Series eliminates the need for the LED to be surface-mounted onto a metal plate, allowing manufacturers to bypass the chip connection process before use. Companies can trim manufacturing and management costs and improve the end product, Seoul Semiconductor claims.
The use of highly reflective aluminium substrates in the ZC Series also greatly improves the brightness and significantly prolongs LED bulb life-span. Using a single ZC chip permits the development of an LED light bulb that allows light to be distributed more evenly than lighting that connects several LED packages to a single module.
ZC will be offered in 6W, 10W and 16W versions, as replacements for 40W and 60W incandescent light bulbs and 100W down-lights, respectively.
"The ZC Series will enable manufacturers to easily produce LED light designs that ultimately afford consumers with longer-lasting LED lights at decreased electricity costs," says Seoul Semiconductor VP Sunghoon Bae. "As with the recent release of our AC LED, Acrich2, the launch of the ZC Series is aligned with Seoul Semiconductor's commitment to providing consumers with a diverse and innovative product portfolio rooted in research and development investment," he adds.
There are plenty of traditions and pageantry that serve as the perfect buildup for the Carol of Lights. But year after year, the main attraction remains the lights themselves.
Every year, 25,000 orange, red and white lights are strung, and then turned on in unison at the annual Carol of Lights. And while the breathtaking glow officially marks the beginning of the holiday season at Texas Tech, the school also is taking steps to conserve energy.
According to Stephen Howard, a foreman with the Texas Tech physical plant, the school currently is in the process of switching out its old bulbs to LED ones. The switch is being done in 20 percent increments, and this year 60 percent of the bulbs will be LED, which use less energy.
"They plan to complete the process at the 2013 Carol of Lights," said Craig Kuehnert, manager for student development for the Residence Halls Association. "With the old bulbs, the school was paying on average $1,437 a month for the electricity bill. Once all the bulbs are replaced, they estimate that the bill will drop to $197.46. That's more than an 80 percent decrease."
The bulbs are being purchased locally and still are powered through the utility system that runs through the tunnels of the university. The lights also are connected to one common timer that controls when they turn on and off.
The honor of first turning on the lights on the night of the Carol of Lights belongs to the Residence Halls Association president. And this year, Nick Lamy will flip the switch that elicits the "oohs" and "ahs" from the crowd in attendance.
Wednesday 7 December 2011
It's all about sharing the love
Cold turkey is out and Christmas ham is in. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere I go. Last Thursday I participated in my first Monroe Christmas parade. I have to say the some 70 floats of Christmas lights followed by bands and various other groups was impressive on the spirit scale. The weather was a little bit frightening next to my South Georgia usual temperatures back home but I managed to layer up and stay warm.
The courthouse lawn is decorated with a beautiful live Christmas tree dazzled with ornaments and lights. Not to mention the lovely spiral laced trees full of lights that are on both sides of Broad Street.
This time of year is about so many things it's hard to lose sight of its one purpose — sharing the love you have for those around and the ability to do so.
Usually around this time for the past four years I would have been finishing finals and heading home to Bainbridge for the family activities and community involvement.
Every Christmas for the past three years I've helped with a local radio station on their Secret Santa project. Each year I've seen lives changed and peoples selfless efforts supply children the smile they had been hoping and needing all year.
Such things as bikes and clothes along with toys are provided for these families every year through this program there.
I can remember my first year participating.
I was working with the station to see if broadcast was something I wanted to major in when I took on the responsibility of working with the Secret Santa project as well.
Santa personally delivered the presents we had worked to load and buy for these families.
I will never forget one little girl who asked santa for a bike. It was the only thing she wanted. When we rolled the bike out to her - she and her daughter were crying.
The spirit of giving is the season's message. There are so many around us spending their last dime at this very moment, parents counting their budget and putting their needs to the side for the sake of their child's Christmas or all together unable to provide a Christmas.
While we are feasting someone in this community, in this state, in this country and the world are without.
Giving is the reason for the season.
Besides working with Secret Santa our family usually decorates the tree and I hate to say I'm missing that.
Ever since I was born I have had an ornament for every year. Each year we go to the hallmark store to pick an ornament out and it's a serious ordeal. Some of my picks have been from “the Grinch Stole Christmas” to Santa Claus fishing. They all have some sort of story behind them or purpose on why they were purchased.
Tradition is something that can keep a family together that one gathering point. Christmas is full of these opportunities. Whether it is from the huge meal that's laid on the table or the decorating of the Christmas tree, tradition brings the family together.
All together breathe in the Christmas spirit, enjoy the atmosphere, give what you can and be blessed for what you have.
The courthouse lawn is decorated with a beautiful live Christmas tree dazzled with ornaments and lights. Not to mention the lovely spiral laced trees full of lights that are on both sides of Broad Street.
This time of year is about so many things it's hard to lose sight of its one purpose — sharing the love you have for those around and the ability to do so.
Usually around this time for the past four years I would have been finishing finals and heading home to Bainbridge for the family activities and community involvement.
Every Christmas for the past three years I've helped with a local radio station on their Secret Santa project. Each year I've seen lives changed and peoples selfless efforts supply children the smile they had been hoping and needing all year.
Such things as bikes and clothes along with toys are provided for these families every year through this program there.
I can remember my first year participating.
I was working with the station to see if broadcast was something I wanted to major in when I took on the responsibility of working with the Secret Santa project as well.
Santa personally delivered the presents we had worked to load and buy for these families.
I will never forget one little girl who asked santa for a bike. It was the only thing she wanted. When we rolled the bike out to her - she and her daughter were crying.
The spirit of giving is the season's message. There are so many around us spending their last dime at this very moment, parents counting their budget and putting their needs to the side for the sake of their child's Christmas or all together unable to provide a Christmas.
While we are feasting someone in this community, in this state, in this country and the world are without.
Giving is the reason for the season.
Besides working with Secret Santa our family usually decorates the tree and I hate to say I'm missing that.
Ever since I was born I have had an ornament for every year. Each year we go to the hallmark store to pick an ornament out and it's a serious ordeal. Some of my picks have been from “the Grinch Stole Christmas” to Santa Claus fishing. They all have some sort of story behind them or purpose on why they were purchased.
Tradition is something that can keep a family together that one gathering point. Christmas is full of these opportunities. Whether it is from the huge meal that's laid on the table or the decorating of the Christmas tree, tradition brings the family together.
All together breathe in the Christmas spirit, enjoy the atmosphere, give what you can and be blessed for what you have.
Tuesday 6 December 2011
Great Falls Holds Tree Lighting
Robert Moore knows all about the tree that sits in the field next to the Great Falls Village Centre. When the original tree died in 1995, he was part of the group that found the tree near Wolf Trap and planted it in Great Falls. Since then, Great Falls residents have gathered around the tree every holiday season to light the tree and celebrate the season with their friends and neighbors.
"This is the first year we've used LED lights on the tree," Moore said. "This year we used about 4,500 of them, so I guess we're saving some energy."
Moore and the other coordinators of the annual tree lighting ceremony use a sky lift to wind the thousands of lights around the tree, which is more than 20 feet tall.
This year's festivities took place Friday, and thousands came out to sing Christmas Carols, meet Santa and Mrs. Clause, enjoy a petting zoo and watch a live nativity scene.
"There's sort of something for everyone, and I like to make sure we get a chance to take it all in," said Allison Fulwell of Great Falls. "You get Santa, you get the nativity, but it's also just fun to come out and enjoy celebrating as a community."
Just after sundown, a brightly-lit vehicle made its way around the Executive Suites building at the Great Falls Village Centre. Several reindeer made of lights led the way for the Great Falls fire engine, which served as the official escort for Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Once the tree was lit, guests could enjoy popcorn and hot cider, and listen to the Langley High School Madrigals sing old Christmas carols.
While Santa was mobbed by most children during his time at the tree lighting, Josh Zane, 4, has little to no interest in Father Christmas.
"Every year, Josh gets excited about the tree lighting, but not about the tree itself, or Santa. He loves the animals," said his father David Zane. "He'll spend his time rotating between the petting zoo and the horse rides. We don't even try to get a photo of him near the tree anymore."
Josh Zane says his decision is a practical one.
"We'll see Santa later when our family gets our picture with him somewhere else, and he's even going to stop by our house," he said. "But it's winter time, and there won't be any chances to play with animals when it's cold outside, so I need to do it now."
CEO Ike Sutton commented, "The opening of our new DC office further solidifies SavWatt's presence. Being even closer to key decision makers and lobby groups will greatly benefit our cause. In addition, President Obama's speech for additional funding to make America's buildings more energy efficient will allow us more opportunities to prove the SavWatt brand is the light of the future."
About SavWatt Fast becoming the market leader in LED lighting, SavWatt focuses on developing innovative, energy-efficient and cost-effective LED lighting solutions. By delivering value added, application-specific LED lighting systems, we can significantly reduce energy costs and minimize our carbon footprint worldwide.
SavWatt is leading the LED lighting revolution and setting the stage to obsolete the incandescent light bulb. SavWatt's product families include LED fixtures, bulbs, street lights, and parking lights.
"This is the first year we've used LED lights on the tree," Moore said. "This year we used about 4,500 of them, so I guess we're saving some energy."
Moore and the other coordinators of the annual tree lighting ceremony use a sky lift to wind the thousands of lights around the tree, which is more than 20 feet tall.
This year's festivities took place Friday, and thousands came out to sing Christmas Carols, meet Santa and Mrs. Clause, enjoy a petting zoo and watch a live nativity scene.
"There's sort of something for everyone, and I like to make sure we get a chance to take it all in," said Allison Fulwell of Great Falls. "You get Santa, you get the nativity, but it's also just fun to come out and enjoy celebrating as a community."
Just after sundown, a brightly-lit vehicle made its way around the Executive Suites building at the Great Falls Village Centre. Several reindeer made of lights led the way for the Great Falls fire engine, which served as the official escort for Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Once the tree was lit, guests could enjoy popcorn and hot cider, and listen to the Langley High School Madrigals sing old Christmas carols.
While Santa was mobbed by most children during his time at the tree lighting, Josh Zane, 4, has little to no interest in Father Christmas.
"Every year, Josh gets excited about the tree lighting, but not about the tree itself, or Santa. He loves the animals," said his father David Zane. "He'll spend his time rotating between the petting zoo and the horse rides. We don't even try to get a photo of him near the tree anymore."
Josh Zane says his decision is a practical one.
"We'll see Santa later when our family gets our picture with him somewhere else, and he's even going to stop by our house," he said. "But it's winter time, and there won't be any chances to play with animals when it's cold outside, so I need to do it now."
CEO Ike Sutton commented, "The opening of our new DC office further solidifies SavWatt's presence. Being even closer to key decision makers and lobby groups will greatly benefit our cause. In addition, President Obama's speech for additional funding to make America's buildings more energy efficient will allow us more opportunities to prove the SavWatt brand is the light of the future."
About SavWatt Fast becoming the market leader in LED lighting, SavWatt focuses on developing innovative, energy-efficient and cost-effective LED lighting solutions. By delivering value added, application-specific LED lighting systems, we can significantly reduce energy costs and minimize our carbon footprint worldwide.
SavWatt is leading the LED lighting revolution and setting the stage to obsolete the incandescent light bulb. SavWatt's product families include LED fixtures, bulbs, street lights, and parking lights.
Monday 5 December 2011
Next-gen A2 goes electric
Trying to keep up with compatriot BMW and its new I Series, Audi is responding with an A2 concept front-wheel drive electric vehicle (with the potential to resurrect the name that last graced the Audi line-up in 2005).
Like the Mercedes-Benz B-Class hatchback (and in particular, the F-Cell version), A2 features a sandwich floor which houses electric components – the 31 kWh lithium ion battery and the 85 kW electric motor. Acceleration to 100 km/h reportedly takes 9.3 seconds, while top speed is limited to 150 km/h.
Audi claims a range of 200 km (rated on the European driving cycle) and a charge time of four hours using 240V household current (so it's safe to assume 10.5 hours plugging it into a 110V outlet) or 1.5 on direct current. It is also ready for wireless charging (where you simply park the vehicle over a charging panel).
Dimensionally smaller than the B-Class, the A2 features an opaque roof that becomes transparent at the push of a button, and a non-opening hood up front. The modified Audi trapezoidal grille's solid top panel flips down to reveal the charge port. The lower part lets air through to eight graphite foam cooling blocks that act as a radiator.
LEDs are used for all lighting functions (high-beams, low beams and running lights up front; a twin line of light across the side and taillights at the rear). Of interest, the headlight LEDs can illuminate independently depending on need (such as dimming for oncoming traffic), the taillights can illuminate at different intensity depending on ambient light, and the light rails along the side burn blue when the driver approaches, orange when the vehicle is in motion and pulsing red during turns to the appropriate side and during braking. The dynamic light functions are mirrored inside, on the door trim panels.
Also of note, laser diodes are used as rear fog lights; in clear conditions, they remain invisible to the eye, but when there's moisture in the air, their light strikes off the particles making a floating triangle behind the car.
The biggest news inside is the completely flat floor and the lack of vents (air flows from the perforated panel running along the entire width of the windshield base). The steering wheel uses touch sensitive surfaces for redundant controls. If both touchpads are activated at the same time, the A2 switches into semi-autonomous mode.
Touchpads are also used on the dash for the control centre (air conditioning and multimedia functions) and the single speed transmission (shift by wire), and on the retractable centre console for secondary functions (such as a keyboard for inputting nav system destinations or phone numbers). Onboard connectivity includes Bluetooth and a WLAN mobile hot spot.
The minimalist seats feature storage compartments below the fold up cushions up front, while the rear seatbacks fold forward to unveil a bracket into which to fit front bicycle forks. The cargo area features a two position load floor.
Like the Mercedes-Benz B-Class hatchback (and in particular, the F-Cell version), A2 features a sandwich floor which houses electric components – the 31 kWh lithium ion battery and the 85 kW electric motor. Acceleration to 100 km/h reportedly takes 9.3 seconds, while top speed is limited to 150 km/h.
Audi claims a range of 200 km (rated on the European driving cycle) and a charge time of four hours using 240V household current (so it's safe to assume 10.5 hours plugging it into a 110V outlet) or 1.5 on direct current. It is also ready for wireless charging (where you simply park the vehicle over a charging panel).
Dimensionally smaller than the B-Class, the A2 features an opaque roof that becomes transparent at the push of a button, and a non-opening hood up front. The modified Audi trapezoidal grille's solid top panel flips down to reveal the charge port. The lower part lets air through to eight graphite foam cooling blocks that act as a radiator.
LEDs are used for all lighting functions (high-beams, low beams and running lights up front; a twin line of light across the side and taillights at the rear). Of interest, the headlight LEDs can illuminate independently depending on need (such as dimming for oncoming traffic), the taillights can illuminate at different intensity depending on ambient light, and the light rails along the side burn blue when the driver approaches, orange when the vehicle is in motion and pulsing red during turns to the appropriate side and during braking. The dynamic light functions are mirrored inside, on the door trim panels.
Also of note, laser diodes are used as rear fog lights; in clear conditions, they remain invisible to the eye, but when there's moisture in the air, their light strikes off the particles making a floating triangle behind the car.
The biggest news inside is the completely flat floor and the lack of vents (air flows from the perforated panel running along the entire width of the windshield base). The steering wheel uses touch sensitive surfaces for redundant controls. If both touchpads are activated at the same time, the A2 switches into semi-autonomous mode.
Touchpads are also used on the dash for the control centre (air conditioning and multimedia functions) and the single speed transmission (shift by wire), and on the retractable centre console for secondary functions (such as a keyboard for inputting nav system destinations or phone numbers). Onboard connectivity includes Bluetooth and a WLAN mobile hot spot.
The minimalist seats feature storage compartments below the fold up cushions up front, while the rear seatbacks fold forward to unveil a bracket into which to fit front bicycle forks. The cargo area features a two position load floor.
Sunday 4 December 2011
Your Home: Holiday lights
The holiday season is upon us. It's a time of giving, cheer and good will. It's also a time when men across the globe can be heard screaming in frustration as they try to install the ultimate holiday light display.
And remember to inspect those strands of lights before you plug them in.
Electrician Robert O'Keefe said, "We're checking them for frayed or damaged wires or broken bulbs and make sure they're in good operating condition."
Be safety conscious. It should go without saying, but O'Keefe reminds us that if you're going to be using a ladder, make sure someone is at the bottom. Make sure the lights are secured properly.
O'Keefe said the last thing you should be doing is this: "There's all sorts of plastic adapters that you can put in your house without having to put staples or nails through them. Stapling is not recommended because you can penetrate the Christmas light wiring," said O'Keefe.
You know those new LED lights you've heard about over the past few years? Sure the initial cost is more, but they last longer, they lower your electric bill, plus, they'll really bring out your inner Clarke Griswold by allowing you to string together enough of them to light up the whole neighborhood.
"Some of the manufacturers allow you to plug in up to 80 strings of LED lights into a standard outlet. The savings are huge. The bulbs also last, almost a lifetime. They don't need a replacement," said O'Keefe.
O'Keefe also reminds us to take down the displays when the holidays are over. While you should be using wires and lights rated for outdoor use, they are seasonal items and should not be left out in the elements all year long.
LED lights are among the stand-outs in holiday trends. Touted as substantially more energy efficient and more durable than traditional bulbs, LEDs also feature some fancy formats. Sets with animated effects, such as twinkling, chasing and alternating colors, are attracting plenty of interest and enable homeowners to incorporate some light-show theatrics into their decor, a representative for Ace Hardware said.
Some LED icicle lights and other sets feature remote control functions. Holiday revelers may switch back and forth among an assortment of hues at their whim — without stepping outside. The remote control LED icicle lights are available at various vendors, including A Christmas Palace in Fort Lauderdale and Hialeah Gardens, ranging in price from $19.99 to $149.99
For those who'd rather skip traditional electricity, GE solar lights are powered by the sun. The new solar-powered mini lights and icicles in warm white bulbs or multi-colored bulbs — and the solar panel — are available at Home Depot for $29.97
Another unplugged approach makes use of batteries. Home Depot sells battery-powered strands in white, multicolored and flashing white for $14.97.
And remember to inspect those strands of lights before you plug them in.
Electrician Robert O'Keefe said, "We're checking them for frayed or damaged wires or broken bulbs and make sure they're in good operating condition."
Be safety conscious. It should go without saying, but O'Keefe reminds us that if you're going to be using a ladder, make sure someone is at the bottom. Make sure the lights are secured properly.
O'Keefe said the last thing you should be doing is this: "There's all sorts of plastic adapters that you can put in your house without having to put staples or nails through them. Stapling is not recommended because you can penetrate the Christmas light wiring," said O'Keefe.
You know those new LED lights you've heard about over the past few years? Sure the initial cost is more, but they last longer, they lower your electric bill, plus, they'll really bring out your inner Clarke Griswold by allowing you to string together enough of them to light up the whole neighborhood.
"Some of the manufacturers allow you to plug in up to 80 strings of LED lights into a standard outlet. The savings are huge. The bulbs also last, almost a lifetime. They don't need a replacement," said O'Keefe.
O'Keefe also reminds us to take down the displays when the holidays are over. While you should be using wires and lights rated for outdoor use, they are seasonal items and should not be left out in the elements all year long.
LED lights are among the stand-outs in holiday trends. Touted as substantially more energy efficient and more durable than traditional bulbs, LEDs also feature some fancy formats. Sets with animated effects, such as twinkling, chasing and alternating colors, are attracting plenty of interest and enable homeowners to incorporate some light-show theatrics into their decor, a representative for Ace Hardware said.
Some LED icicle lights and other sets feature remote control functions. Holiday revelers may switch back and forth among an assortment of hues at their whim — without stepping outside. The remote control LED icicle lights are available at various vendors, including A Christmas Palace in Fort Lauderdale and Hialeah Gardens, ranging in price from $19.99 to $149.99
For those who'd rather skip traditional electricity, GE solar lights are powered by the sun. The new solar-powered mini lights and icicles in warm white bulbs or multi-colored bulbs — and the solar panel — are available at Home Depot for $29.97
Another unplugged approach makes use of batteries. Home Depot sells battery-powered strands in white, multicolored and flashing white for $14.97.
Thursday 1 December 2011
Firms put sparkle in season
"This year, bar none, has pretty much been the strongest," said Carl Pfullmann, owner of CP Designs, which has strung Christmas lights on about 40 homes in the Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills areas. "People want good deals, but they want lots of lights."
Mark Ambrose, general manager of ABC Home & Commercial Services, said he expects to increase his lighting installation work by about 10 percent, primarily as the result of new customers, not bigger jobs from returning customers.
"We'll be happy with that, considering the economy and everything that is going on," Ambrose said.
Officials said homeowners have been asking for more decorations this year, covering more angles of the house, and low-energy LED lights have become popular, though costing more initially.
Companies said home-lighting installation can start at about $350 but can cost several thousand dollars, depending on how large the house is and how many lights and decorations are included.
Jennifer Sharrick, co-owner of Show Me Decorating, said her company provides Christmas tree decorating services for as little as $350 and beautifies doorways for about $500. In its third year in San Antonio, Show Me Decorating could triple its revenues this year, Sharrick said.
Financial numbers for the overall sector are hard to pin down.
The American Lighting Association tabulates totals on sales of Christmas lights alone, not the labor required to put them up. Those sales fell from $7.3 million in 2007 to $5.1 million in 2008 but rose to $6.2 million last year, the association said.
Through the first three-quarters of 2011, sales reached $4.6 million.
It's a sector dominated by companies that provide landscaping, pest control and other services to businesses and homeowners during the rest of the year. But companies that provide the service annually say it's been a dependable source of revenue during a season that otherwise could be a financial drought.
Shawn George, who owns Elite Lighting Designs, said he provided his holiday customers a small discount as the recession deepened and most of them have stayed with the firm. This year, he said business could grow by more than 30 percent, mainly because of the increase in residential customers.
"It's safety and convenience and knowing that it's available," George said in explaining the factors that have been driving demand.
David Dunne, president of Preferred Holiday Decor, said everyone has been looking for ways to economize during the economic downturn. But malls still need to spruce up their properties for the holidays and more businesses and municipalities are showing their holiday spirit through outdoor decorations.
Dunne said his company, which installed the new holiday lights on the River Walk and completed decorating projects for Valero Energy Corp., USAA and other corporate clients, expects holiday lighting revenues to exceed $1.6 million this year. That would be about 65 percent more than last year.
Holiday Decor has an affiliated landscape design and construction component that provides more revenue, but holiday lighting is important both because of its size and its nature, Dunne said.
Mark Ambrose, general manager of ABC Home & Commercial Services, said he expects to increase his lighting installation work by about 10 percent, primarily as the result of new customers, not bigger jobs from returning customers.
"We'll be happy with that, considering the economy and everything that is going on," Ambrose said.
Officials said homeowners have been asking for more decorations this year, covering more angles of the house, and low-energy LED lights have become popular, though costing more initially.
Companies said home-lighting installation can start at about $350 but can cost several thousand dollars, depending on how large the house is and how many lights and decorations are included.
Jennifer Sharrick, co-owner of Show Me Decorating, said her company provides Christmas tree decorating services for as little as $350 and beautifies doorways for about $500. In its third year in San Antonio, Show Me Decorating could triple its revenues this year, Sharrick said.
Financial numbers for the overall sector are hard to pin down.
The American Lighting Association tabulates totals on sales of Christmas lights alone, not the labor required to put them up. Those sales fell from $7.3 million in 2007 to $5.1 million in 2008 but rose to $6.2 million last year, the association said.
Through the first three-quarters of 2011, sales reached $4.6 million.
It's a sector dominated by companies that provide landscaping, pest control and other services to businesses and homeowners during the rest of the year. But companies that provide the service annually say it's been a dependable source of revenue during a season that otherwise could be a financial drought.
Shawn George, who owns Elite Lighting Designs, said he provided his holiday customers a small discount as the recession deepened and most of them have stayed with the firm. This year, he said business could grow by more than 30 percent, mainly because of the increase in residential customers.
"It's safety and convenience and knowing that it's available," George said in explaining the factors that have been driving demand.
David Dunne, president of Preferred Holiday Decor, said everyone has been looking for ways to economize during the economic downturn. But malls still need to spruce up their properties for the holidays and more businesses and municipalities are showing their holiday spirit through outdoor decorations.
Dunne said his company, which installed the new holiday lights on the River Walk and completed decorating projects for Valero Energy Corp., USAA and other corporate clients, expects holiday lighting revenues to exceed $1.6 million this year. That would be about 65 percent more than last year.
Holiday Decor has an affiliated landscape design and construction component that provides more revenue, but holiday lighting is important both because of its size and its nature, Dunne said.
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