With the passing of the amended Energy Independence and securities Act (D.O.E. 2012 law), the phasing out of incandescent and halogen lamps is in full swing. One of the latest businesses to make this change is Yoder’s Amish Gift Shop in Sarasota, Florida. When we first approached the Owner Anna, about making this change, she was reluctant to accept the change because of a fear that switching from incandescent or halogen wouldn’t look as good as using a compact fluorescent product in this charming gift store. However the new law and the energy savings were quite enticing for Anna, and with the Federal Government chipping in on the replacement cost. Switching was a no brainer, if it would look as good!

Synergy Lighting Offers Top Brands

Synergy Lighting recommended a specific brand of Compact Fluorescent Lamps manufactured by TCP and Halco, which are both major manufacturers of compact fluorescent light bulbs in the U.S. who lamps meet the Energy Star standards for Quality, Life, Color, and Safety. These low energy, environmentally friendly products were changed out by staff when the Owner Anna was out on business, and was as easy as unscrewing the old bulbs and screwing in the new ones.

Of particular interest is the phone call Synergy Lighting received after the light bulbs had been changed. It started with Anna asking when the light bulbs would be delivered. Just as we predicted, the change was so perfect, that even Anna didn’t realize that she was using fluorescent energy savers until we told her it had already been done!

For more information on switching to Energy Saving, Compact Fluorescent Bulbs with Federal Financial Assitance, view our website and call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

In retail most business owners take careful planning into the walls, the floors, and how products are displayed. But often we find that smaller business neglect to recognize the need for good lighting. Often times business owners tell us that by the time they get the store up and running that a good lighting system is not in the budget. Great lighting doesn’t have to come from any large expense. This is a misconception and due to lack of knowledge.

Great Lighting Is Not Expensive

Great lighting can be created by simply selecting a fairly inexpensive light bulb that is appropriate for the type of products being displayed, or sold. Factors to consider are the primary colors of merchandise, reflectance of walls and floors as well as natural day lighting coming in through windows. When we look at a situation such as a Mattress Store, the primary color is white. Therefore having light bulbs that give the truest tone of white coloring, the mattresses will look whiter and brighter.

There Is No Excuse For Bad Lighting

On a visit to another local mattress store, the sales person informed us that they did not want bright white light bulbs in their ceiling because they did not want customers to lay down and stare into a bright light. However retail logic tells us that customers are not concerned with what is in the ceiling, just how great the product they are interested in buying appears. So when Land Of Sleep decided to purchase natural White Light Bulbs from Synergy Lighting, they did exactly what any great mattress store should do. Make their product look amazing!

Making The Change Is Easy

The change over to Natural White Lighting for this mattress retailer was inexpensive and resulted in a 40% energy savings over traditional 4 lamp fluorescent fixtures. No new fixtures or large expenses was needed, just a simple change of light bulbs to do the trick!  Not only was the change a dramatic effect, but it paid for itself from the energy savings. Now when customers come in to view a mattress, the product looks stunning, sales are increased and when laying down to try the matress out, customers can close their eyes and picture themselves in mattress heaven!

For more information on Natural White Light Bulbs, view our website and call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

With the economical crunch over the past few years and the ever growing popularity of going green, converting hid to CFL has become a growing trend. By simply by passing the HID ballast and screwing in a Compact Fluorescent Lamp, business have discovered that the S/P Ratio (Scotopic to Photopic Lumens) is great enough to be a viable option, providing adequate light.

Drawbacks of Retrofitting HID To CFL

As great of an option as this procedure is, many customers have found that the line voltage supplied to their HID fixtures is greater than 120 Volts, typically 208, 240 or 277 volt. In these cases, customer find themselves either not being able to find a CFL bulb in those voltages, with the exception of the TCP 277V spiral, or that the fixtures are too small to fit an equal wattage CFL bulb. For customers with 208, 240 volt system, the only option has been to pay large expenditures in order to convert electric panels, and rewire to accommodate lower voltages.

Litetronics New High Wattage CFL System Makes Retrofitting Affordable

Litetronics, a leading producer of innovative CFL products has introduced its full line of HID to CFL retrofit kits. These kits include a non-ballasted CFL high wattage lamp for easy screw in the socket installation with a remote multi-volt ballast capable of 120, 208, 240 or 277 Volt systems. Because these new CFL lamps are non-ballasted, the have a much smaller MOL (Maximum Overall Length), and can fit into virtually any HID fixture from wall packs, parking lot lights, high bays and parking garage canopy lights.

Benefits Include:

• 10,000-hour life
• 85 CRI, 5000k natural white
• 65 Up to 150 watts
• Excellent lumen maintenance
• Advanced Amalgam maintains optimal lumens
• Instant start and instant restrike
• Reduced color shift compared to metal halide
• External ballast reduces lamp replacement costs

Litetronics high watt compact fluorescent lamps (CFL’s) are designed to replace HID lamps in high bay applications for energy savings and higher ROI. They off er high 85 CRI for excellent color rendition, and they promise reliable operation with instant start and instant re-strike. Unlike HID lamps, Litetronics high watt CFLs have no color shift over time, and they have lower glare and higher lumen maintenance. With a lower system cost than HID, Litetronics high watt CFL’s are the best solution for high and low bay lighting.

Litetronics high watt CFL’s utilize an external ballast, which offers better heat management than self-ballasted high wattage CFL’s. When the lamp and ballast are together in a self-ballasted lamp, heat builds up in a condensed area, which leads to premature failures. Separating the lamp and ballast allows for better heat management, which translates into maximum life and lumen maintenance. The external ballast also reduces lamp replacement costs compared to self-ballasted CFLs because you only need to replace the lamp at end of life instead of the lamp and ballast. This means that Litetronics high watt CFL’s are more cost-effective and provide higher ROI than alternative high bay CFL lighting. Litetronics high watt CFL’s also have a smaller MOL than competing lamps, which provides better optics out of the fixture. For superior high bay lighting, Litetronics high watt CFL’s are the fi rst choice.

For more information view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.  

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

Every now and again we are surprised with innovative new products that come to market. One product that doesn’t let us down with design and innovation is the New 10 Watt IPAR-38 Dimmable LED from MSI. This product offers a variety of features not found in any other product thus far, and carries a complete 5 year factory warranty which is 2 years more than any other competitor, and comes at a very affordable price with up to 90% energy savings.  The dimming range and power band ring control for light output was smooth and precise. Compared to other LED Par 38 light bulbs, we had to share this with our customers. The MSI IPAR-38 is currently available for immediate rush delivery.  [Video below]

Powerband™ Technology
This proprietary feature allows the flexibility of producing light outputs based on 10 watts, 12 watts or 16 watts, with a simple twist of the band. This will create lumen outputs of 550 lumens, 650 lumens or 800 lumens respectively.  Now you can optimize your lighting design both in terms of light output as well as light energy savings, and all with one unique bulb!

Proprietary Intelligent Communication (PIC)
This patent pending feature allows the bulb to communicate via a sophisticated electronic light wave pattern, information such as, manufacturing information, installation information, hours of use and wattage settings. This is especially important due to the extremely long bulb life, but also can play a key role in overall energy evaluation, maintenance and design.

Efficiency
Led technology saves up to 80% of the light energy cost of current 75 watt Halogen bulbs.  In addition, the iPAR-38 unique construction provides the Center Beam power that truly creates a lighting experience previously unattainable in this technology.

Reliability
Designed and built with the highest level of components available today, including industry leading CREE LED’s, this UL approved product is produced in a world class manufacturing environment to the highest level of quality standards to assure a minimum of 50,000 hour bulb life, more than 20 times the life of standard Halogen bulbs.

Thermal Management
A hidden advantage of this bulb is its highly efficient thermal management system. With operating temperatures at 50% less than Halogen bulbs, this bulb not only saves on lighting energy costs, but also reduces air conditioning costs due to the drastic heat reduction.  Validated testing has conclusively proven that for every 1 watt of light energy saved, a 1/2 watt of secondary air conditioning savings is also achieved.

Worldwide Installation
The iPAR-38 LED bulb has been designed with a universal voltage power supply of 85 volts to 265 volts with an on board power management system allowing this product to be installed in virtually any country in the world!

Dimmability 
Another key advantage of the iPAR-38 program is its ability to dim throughout the power range with virtually any dimmer on the market today!

Beam color and angles
Designed for accent lighting applications the iPAR-38 is available in  both 2700 and 3000 Kelvin and comes in a variety of beam angles including a 10 degree spot, a 16 degree wide spot and a 22.5 degree narrow flood. In addition, each bulb optic has been designed to provide superior beam conformation, peripheral lighting and intense Center Beam saturation to create a truly superior high powered accent light as well as room filling lighting coverage.

For more information on LED Lighitng or LED Light Bulbs, view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

Download: MSI IPAR-38 SPEC SHEET

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

The transformation of the lighting industry to LED (Light emitting Diodes) is growing more and more popular. Customers often ask if there are fluorescent light bulb replacements with LED. In years past the answer was yes, and followed by pure disappointment for those who purchased these lamps. However with the Superior Life T8 LED lamp, disappointment is far from our professional vocabulary.

The Superior Life LED T8 lamp is an efficient way to light sockets once traditionally reserved for linear fluorescent tubes. They consume up to 80% less energy, thereby significantly reducing operating costs. The superior life hours of this lamp makes it ideal for hard to reach places, reducing maintenance.

• 50,000 hour operation
• No ballasts required
• Warm or Natural White
• Mercury Free
• No UV
• No Projected Heat

Recently one of our customers retrofitted their entire operation to LED Superior Life T8 Lamps, you can decide for yourself if these new LED’s do the job with pure satisfaction!

For more information on LED Lighitng or LED Light Bulbs, view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

Switching to LED lighting is something most people are seemingly interested in.  However, when the typical cost of an LED light bulb is learned, that urgency begins to take a back seat to the urgency to hold tight on spending. The initial cost of most LED light bulbs is very high compared to the cost of an incandescent bulb. In the LED light bulb world, all things must be treated equally. This means you spend a little, you save a little, spend a lot and save a lot.  Sometimes in switching to LED lighting, we recommend that customers start with spending a little and saving a little to get used to the benefits of LED’s in commercial and residential use.

One of the most common types of incandescent light bulb used in both residential and commercial lighting is chandelier (B-Type) lamps. These type lamps are typically found in the 25 Watt and 40 Watt lamps and rarely found without multiple lamps per fixture such as a multi-point chandelier. Although we individually don’t look at these lamps as using much electricity, when you add up all the bulbs on an 8 point chandelier, it can add up to 500 Watts which in itself is very significant. Let’s look at a new product that can drastically reduce this consumption.

The new LDCT3WH30K is a 3 Watt LED Chandelier Torpedo style lamp made by TCP. The lamp offers one of the smallest packages that most closely resembles the size and shape of an incandescent B-Type lamp while delivering maximum light output from a tower of SMD LED’scentered in the envelope. The tower array allows for 360° illumination while a circle of SMD LED’s on the top of the tower array direct light upwards as well. This arrangement of LED’s allow the lamp to perfectly illuminate chandelier lamp shades that can easily clip on to the lamps outer housing.  If used bare in a chandelier, the lamp closely replicates the light output of an incandescent, and would hardly be noticeable to anyone who wasn’t looking for it to be different.  Because of the very small Solid State electronics placed within the base of the LCDT3WH30K, dimming is no problem for this LED bulb. Heat output is also drastically reduced by the LDCT3WH30K LED light bulb.

The TCP LED lamp delivery a consistant 3000K which is the color that most correctly resembles a halogen bulb, so incandescent users may see a slightly whiter output from the lamp, but seems to not be so different as to pull a negative review from customers. This difference in color creates a cleaner and just as bright feel for any chandelier, pendant or wall sconce. Now the biggest benefit of the 3 Watt LED lamp is that it can replace up to a 40 Watt Incandescent without any noticeable light loss. In an example of an 8 pt. chandelier, energy waste is reduced from 500 Watts per fixture to only 24 Watts,  for a total savings of 476 Watts.

Here is how that breaks down into savings:

Total Savings for switching 1 bulb to LED: $177.22!

The TCP LED chandelier bulb is available in with both candelabra and medium base, as well as Clear and Frosted versions as well as a Crystal Cut Clear and Frosted for a more decorative design. For more information on LED Lighitng or LED Light Bulbs, view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

Often we talk to customers about Scotopically Rich Lighting, and for those who have never heard the term before it can be a little confusing. Manufacturers have performed studies for year on the photopic lumens that are produced by a light source such as a light bulb. The photopic lumens are a measurement of brightness by a lumen meter. This measurement can be translated by how light is percieved the cones in the human eye. These light meters completely ignore the effect of rod activated vision (scotopic). As a result, lighting practice accepted this single sensitivity function because it was erroneously assumed that the more light sensitive rods only functioned at very dim light levels.

How the eye perceives light

Light arrives at our eye from all portions of an illuminated space. At the back of the eye there is a light sensitive membrane called the retina which contains millions of very tiny light receptors. These receptors convert light into electrified signals that are sent to the vision centers of the brain. The retina contains two major categories of light receptors (photoreceptors) called the cones and rods because of their geometric shapes. The central part of the retina, the fovea, contains only cones. In the rest of the retina there are both rods and cones, with the number of rods dominating the cones by about 10 to 1.

Scientists have recently discovered that the rods in the human eye can perform in dim light levels as well as interior lighting levels of those commonly found in office environments and stores.  These rods are sensitive to light sources that emit bluish-white color tones like those found in higher kelvin temperature fluorescent light bulbs.   Vision specialists put both functions of the rods and the cones together to measure a complete value of light sensitivity know as a Scotopic/Photopic (S/P) Ratio. The S/P Ratio of most fluorescent and incandescent lamps is very low. For example, a Warm White Bulb has an S/P Ratio of 1:14 while a full spectrum 5000K lamp lamp such as an Ultra 50 or Skybrite has a ration of 2:47.  These number can be hard to understand, so lets look at it in a more simple light.

Lamps that are in the yellow kelvin temperature range 2700-4200 use primarily the cones in the eye. The pupil becomes enlarged to allow more light to enter the eye, and therefore causing more muscles in the eye to work harder to provide visual clarity. Lamps in the 5000 Kelvin range allow the rods to work better, which in turn constricts the pupil and allows for easier visual clarity which is a scotopic response. In otherwords, thwo light sources can have the same photopic lumens, but the lamps with higher scotopic values will apear to the eye  as being percieved brighter. This scotopic response reduces visual fatigue, increase reading ability and reduces “disability glare”, especially in the electronic office.

Scotopically Rich Lighting Redues Fatigue and Glare

Disability glare is defined by the Illuminating Engineering Society as “glare resulting in reduced visual performance and visibility.” It is often accompanied by discomfort. Disability glare occurs as a result of “light scatter” in the eye. Light scatter is caused by imperfections in the optical media of the eye (the cornea & lens). These imperfections are common to some degree in everyone, and become more severe with age. The imperfections in the optical media cause a scattering of light rays coming from the non task area, causing undesirable light to fall on the central part of the retina (the fovea) where the task is focused. This causes a background haze of useless light on the central retina (the fovea) and reduces retinal contrast. Because the fovea contains only cones, just the photopic content of the ambient or general light is responsible for disability glare. Because people of age suffer from other conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts, one must understand that the visible spectrum of light becomes diminished.  In the case of a retail store or office, a customer may only see 60% of the visible light produced, therefore the increase of both photopic and scotopic light levels can be increasingly important to reduce glare and visual fatigue thus increasing productivity and sales.

Benfits of Scotopically Rich Lighting

• Reduces visual fatigue
• Elliminates disability glare
• Improved visual clarity
• Makes products appear more appealing
• Increased safety
• Objects appear much brighter
• Shows colors more accurately
• Greater energy efficiency

For more information on Scotopically Rich Lighting, view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

There is no feeling like that of sitting down to eat at a good restaurant with good service. From the time we walk in the door capturing a sweet aroma of fresh grilled entrees, to the time we are seated by a pleasant and smiling hostess, we are in store for a treat. One would only assume that the decor has been well designed, the menu carefully selected and the service well performed. This is what we all expect of a restaurant.

The Importance Of Lighting

With the high risk associated with restaurants, it is absolutely vital to provide not only good food and service to clientele, but it is crucial that the clients leave feeling good about the decision to eat in a particular establishment. This goes to every last detail from plate garnishment to easy to understand menus. However the most often overlooked item is lighting. Restaurants often have multiple types of lighting fixtures to help create the overall atmosphere and design image. According to the American Lighting Association restaurants should have no less than (2) levels of light consisting of task and accent lighting, with a high recommendation of dimmable light bulbs and systems. By using multiple lighting fixture types a design image can create brilliant displays of decor, and architecture while providing a primary focus on the dining table. The dining table is where light balance becomes crucial for a restaurant. If a table is poorly lit, food can appear dull and unappealing despite flavor and presentation. Meanwhile over illuminated tables can be too bright and distract from a pleasant dining experience.

Well Balanced Lighting Affects Return Visits

All to often in restaurants we find that there is a difference in lighting over tables versus booth seating areas. This may consist of recessed cans or track over table tops and pendant lighting over booths and bar areas. When serving customers in a restaurant, you must ensure that every customer has the ability to receive the same levels of service, and pleasant experience no matter the seating area.  Because different seating areas have different styles of fixtures, a restaurateur must ensure that the light delivered to the table is well balanced and equal from either fixture type.  Recently while dining in an Applebees restaurant I was seated at a table top which sat under track lighting.  Installed in the track was a 50 Watt Halogen Spot Light.  The light was so focused on the table that it created glare and a hot spot on the table, while across the isle were booths that had pendant lights with bottom globes. The booths had only a fraction of the light provided to our table, and no relative hot spots. In this scenario, my dining experience was in the hot seat while diners seated in booths could barely see the food on their plates.

Balancing light levels to ensure a consistent and pleasing dining experience is crucial to the subconscious emotions that a customer will experience. In the case of Applebees, a lower wattage narrow flood should have been installed over tables, while a higher wattage lamp should have been installed over booths. In the photo above you will notice a hot spot in the bar area to the lower right of the image. This is a hot spot created by poor lamp selection. The result of this “seat yourself” restaurant was that the table with the hot spot remained empty throughout the course of our meal, where other tables with well balanced lighting sat to capacity.

For more information on Light Balance, view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

Synergy Lighting, a Florida Corporation specializes in coastal lighting design and modification to accommodate Sea Turtle Friendly Lighting requirements. Through our work with Mote Marine Labratories, and the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife, Synergy has distinguished itself as offering the most cost affective alternatives to preserving the life of these species.  Turtle Friendly lighting to many customers such as condominiums and hotels, resorts and homes can seem like a difficult and expensive task to meet the requirements by the State and Local Governments. Synergy Lighting uses a combination of innovative lighting fixtures, LED light bulbs and specialty lamps to create the perfect balance between human and turtle needs.

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection:

“Sea Turtle populations have suffered worldwide declines, and their recovery largely depends upon our managing the effects of expanding human populations. One of these effects is light pollution – the presence of detrimental artificial light in the environment. Of the many ecological disturbances caused by human beings, light pollution may be among the most manageable. Light pollution on nesting beaches is detrimental to sea turtles because it alters critical nocturnal behaviors, namely how each turtle chooses nesting sites, how they return to the sea after nesting and how hatchlings find the sea after emerging from their nests.”

FMRI Technical Report TR-2

Do I have to go without lights?

It may seem if faced with a warning letter from a government agency that your home or facility is facing a potential fine for light pollution along coastal beaches and that they want you to have no lighting at all. We assure you that is not the case. What these agencies are requiring you to do is very simple and usually affordable. This in most cases is a simple redirection of light, and selecting a product with a wavelength of light not in the visible spectrum of turtles.  Usually @ 450 nanometers. Lighting products that produce that wavelength of light are orange, yellow and red. By redirecting light and using these types of products, all requirements and conservation methods should be easily and affordably achieved. Each facility or location may vary in the application of products required, but consulting an expert from Synergy Lighting is always free of charge.

A New Turtle Friendly Lighting Product is born!

On July 16, 2010  Interelectric Corporation, received a Wildlife Lighting Certificate for final approval of its line of Orange colored 45o nm light bulbs which are available in F32T8/ORANGE  AND F40T12/ORANGE as well as their existing full line of Red Fluorescent Lamps. These fluorescent light bulbs can be used along walkways, in parking garages and for exterior lighting for retail stores, while maintaining compliance with Turtle Friendly Lighting requirements. This is a phenomenal breakthrough with the 450 nm lamp. Previously, customer had to remove fluorescent fixtures and purchase new expensive fixtures for these applications. Now with the Interelectric Orange fluorescent Lamps available from Synergy Lighting, compliance can be just a twist of a lamp away!

For more information on Turtle Friendly Lighting, view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com

With significant changes in our country’s global economic and environmental climate, every day customers ask us about going green with LED Light bulbs. Synergy Lighting offers over 300 of these newly popular, environmentally friendly, Solid State Lighting Products which achieve phenomenal energy savings and feature CREE Brand LED’s. Of particular interest is the myriad of associated questions commonly asked of us by consumers.

• Do the LED Light Bulbs really last a long time?
• How much do they cost?
• Do LED Light Bulbs put off as much light as a standard light bulb?
• How long before the price comes down?

At one point in time, though we highly encourage the use of LED Light Bulbs, the resulting answers were all positive until that moment in time when you have to disclose to a customer how much the LED bulbs would really cost. Many LED distributors will do anything but answer that all consuming bottom line question, “How much do they cost?”  One can only imagine the words we hear from a customer when the price comes out. Customers must come to understand that the Price of the Bulb and the cost of operation are two different things. The price of the lamp, or the purchase price rather is usually insignificant compared to the operating cost of electricity, replacement and labor. In the following comparison, we will compare a 60 Watt Incandescent to an 8 Watt LED to show the true “Life Cycle Cost.”

Total Energy Savings Achieved: $349.27

As clearly demonstrated with the above chart, an energy savings of $349.27 per bulb can result in thousands of dollars saved by reducing energy waste for a business with multiple lamps. When one looks at the initial price of an LED light bulb, this must be considered the investment value, and the energy and labor, replacement cost savings is the return on investment (ROI). The ROI is 498% and a 87% total reduction of energy waste.

For more information on LED Lighitng or LED Light Bulbs, view our website or call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation. 

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com