This outdoor lighting fixture from Hubbardton Forge is Dark Sky friendly because it only shines light down, not up into the atmosphere.

It used to be that the moon and the stars were the brightest bulbs in the sky. But as anyone who’s flown across a city at night knows, these days, there’s an awful lot of light coming up from the ground.

Many people assume that an orange nighttime sky is just ugly, not harmful. But recently scientific studies have suggested that light pollution is more than an annoyance; it’s destroying wildlife, damaging human health and costing us a lot of extra money.

That’s why a growing number of cities and towns across the United States are drafting ordinances to try to bring the night sky back. They’re requiring that all new light fixtures that are installed – both commercial and residential – only shine light down onto the place that needs to be lit, not up into the atmosphere.

Known as the Dark Sky movement, these ordinances vary from town to town, but often the requirements are similar. No outdoor light fixtures can shine any light above a horizontal line. Instead, everything must shine down.

“We’re not saying you can’t have that aesthetic value, you just light it from the top down,” explains Johanna Duffek, Sections Coordinator with the International Dark Sky Association, a Tucson, AZ-based non-profit group that’s at the forefront of the movement.

Although the original purpose of The International Dark Sky Association was to keep the night sky pristine for astronomers, today the Dark Sky movement is gaining ground because more consumers are interested in reducing their energy usage, and when you’re not wasting light that’s going up into the sky, you can use a lower wattage bulb to achieve the same amount of light.

For example, if a homeowner used an outdoor sconce that had openings on the top and the bottom, he’d have to use a 100-watt bulb. But if he switches to a Dark Sky fixture that only allows light to shine from the bottom of the fixture, the homeowner could use a 40-watt bulb.

“It’s a more efficient use of light,” explains Tom Patterson, Director of Product Development at Hinkley Lighting, which already offers some Dark Sky light fixtures. “You can use a third of the wattage or half of the wattage and get the same amount of lumens.”

Patterson says consumer awareness of the Dark Sky movement is still very low, but he said awareness has been growing among local government leaders, and that is forcing the manufacturers to come out with more and more Dark Sky-friendly outdoor fixtures.

“Now in Arizona, in all the new construction, you’re going to have to meet the dark sky qualifications,” Patterson says. “It’s catching a little bit more momentum.”
Hinkley, for example, advertises that it can make about 25 percent of its outdoor fixtures Dark Sky compliant. Retailers are charged about $15 to $20 to change a regular fixture to a Dark Sky fixture.

Currently, there is no official government standard for a Dark Sky fixture, but the International Dark Sky Association has been in talks with the Department of Energy to incorporate the Dark Sky philosophy into the Energy Star program.

The International Dark Sky Association also independently evaluates fixtures from manufacturers and awards a seal of approval to all of those that meet its requirements.

So far, Duffek says the International Dark Sky Association has awarded Fixture Seals of Approval to 75 different lighting manufacturers, and while many of those have been commercial applications, Duffek says the organization is hoping to increase participation among residential lighting manufacturers.

Hubbardton Forge, for example, makes a sconce that has received the Dark Sky Fixture Seal of Approval that features a slate-colored ceramic shield around the light bulb that forces the light down. And the Minka Group has several outdoor lanterns with metal crowns that block the upward light.

Both Patterson and Duffek say the biggest resistance to Dark Sky fixtures isn’t coming from manufacturers but from homeowners who are afraid that less light around their house will make them less safe.

But Duffek said homeowners need to understand that blocking light from going into the sky doesn’t mean blocking all light. Duffek says the Dark Sky movement suggests homeowners buy movement sensors that will go on if someone enters your yard, which can help alert you to danger and keep your energy usage down at the same time.

“When you keep the lighting on all the time, all you’re doing is lighting for the bad guys,” Duffek says.

Duffek says the biggest challenge now is to educate the public about the benefits of reducing light pollution and encouraging manufacturers to continue to design compliant fixtures.

“WE always try to present it as a win, win, win solution,” she says.

by Lauren Heist

(ARA) – From twinkling candles glimpsed through a window to trees and shrubs decked in brightly colored strands, light can be the warmest welcome for your guests during the holidays. And if you’ve been thinking about enhancing the lighting above and around your front porch or door, the holidays are a great time to put that thought into action.

“People spend more time than ever before in the outdoor spaces of their homes,” says Rick Seidman, president and chief executive officer of Quoizel Inc. of Goose Creek, S.C. “The front and back entry areas have become living spaces frequented by friends and family. This has led to consumers wanting to decorate and light these areas with the same importance as the inside of their home.”

Attractive exterior lighting not only enhances your enjoyment of your home, it adds curb appeal and value, and can welcome guests with a feeling of warmth and security all year round. Good lighting is especially important during the holidays, when more guests will be coming to your door, the experts agree.

Homeowners thinking about upgrading their exterior lighting should keep some basics in mind, including scale, style, visibility and planning.

“Frequently, you see homes with outdoor lanterns that aren’t large enough for the home or the area it’s lighting,” says Rick Wiedemer, Jr., certified lighting consultant and president of Hinkley Lighting in Cleveland. “When choosing a lantern to hang above your door, consider viewing your home’s entry from the curb or coming up the driveway as a guest would.”

A good rule of thumb for choosing a right-sized lantern is to pick one that is at least a third the size of the door, says Mark Rottner, president of Artistic Lighting and Designs in Norcross, Ga. “That means if your door is 7 feet high, your lantern should be 27 to 30 inches long,” he says. “If you decide to go with a lantern on either side of the door, then each should be about 25 percent of the door’s height.”

Appropriately sized lanterns not only provide ample illumination for the area you’re trying to light, they also impart elegance to a façade, says Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the American Lighting Association (ALA) and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design. “They really are a show of confidence.”

The style of the lighting is also important, the experts agree. The style of your outdoor lighting should match both the design of your home’s exterior and the lighting design inside the house.

“Lighting should be selected to accentuate the architecture, not detract from the beauty of the structure,” says Jeffrey R. Dross, senior product manager with Kichler Lighting in Cleveland. What’s more, he adds, “it’s important the entryway lighting has a relation with driveway lights, landscape lighting, deck lighting and the rest of the lighting on your home. You want to avoid the ‘flea market’ approach where all the pieces are different.”

If your home is colonial, Victorian, traditional, craftsman or contemporary, be sure to look for lighting that pairs well with the architectural style. For example, if the exterior color palette is warm, then brown or bronze light fixtures may be more appropriate, Dross points out.

Don’t be afraid to incorporate some trends into your exterior lighting design. Some hot exterior lighting trends include the addition of crystals to different style fixtures, and – for upscale homes – natural gas lanterns in copper or brass. Layering several types of lighting at an entry is also popular, Wiedemer says. For example, if your door has an overhang, you may place recessed lighting in the overhang, paired with decorative lanterns on either side of the door and path lighting leading up to the door, he says.

“There’s more variety than ever in outdoor lighting,” Rey-Barreau says. “Pluralism is the trend.”

Homeowners looking to temporarily enhance their outdoor lighting for the holidays have a host of options as well. Rottner likes the idea of putting exterior lights on a dimmer to create a warm, comforting mood. Wiedemer recommends adding low-voltage landscape lighting, which is easy to install and can be moved or added on to in the future.

Attractive outdoor lighting can be a great way to welcome your guests at the holidays, the experts agree. “A warm glow by your front door indicates your personality, and the personality of your home,” Rottner says.

To learn more about exterior lighting trends, designs and options call us at 888 544-4814 toll free.

(ARA) – The economy may be in the doldrums, but that doesn’t mean your decor has to be there too. It’s possible to turn dark, dreary and dated decor into light, lively and “now” on just a shoestring budget.

What’s the secret to sprucing up on a shoestring? Lighten up – literally.

Upgrading your home’s lighting can impart a whole new atmosphere, and you don’t need to spend big bucks on pricey new fixtures to do it. Simple, budget-friendly changes can make a big difference in how your home looks and feels, and how much you enjoy living there.

The experts at the American Lighting Association (ALA) offer a few tips for creating a big impact on a small budget.

First, consider the first impression guests (or potential buyers) have of your home. “Upgrading exterior lighting or entryway lighting can improve the curb appeal and first impression of your home,” says Monty Gilbertson, manager of Lighting Designs by Wettsteins in LaCross, Wis.

Michael Berman, a lighting consultant with Chatsworth, California-based Lamps Plus, agrees. “Replacing old, worn-out fixtures, purchasing inexpensive landscape lights to highlight interesting architectural elements or plantscapes can make it ‘love at first sight’ for potential buyers,” he says.

Once you’ve upgraded the outside, take a look at the first parts of the house guests see – often the entryway or dining room on modern floor plans.

 “Changing the dining room chandelier and/or the foyer light will make major strides in improving the look and, in some cases, the efficiency of your home,” Gilbertson says. “Fixtures in the entryway should set the style for the rest of the house,” Berman adds. “Even a small flush-mount fixture can add style to an otherwise lackluster entry.”

Next, install dimmers throughout the house, even in rooms where you might not normally think of using them, like the kitchen and bath, suggests Joe Rey-Barreau, an education consultant for the ALA and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design.

An upgrade that’s well within the skills of most do-it-yourselfers, installing a dimmer can completely change the character and quality of a space. For example, dimmers in a bathroom enable you to use the facilities in the middle of the night without the jarring impact of turning on bright, overhead lighting. In a master bedroom, they can create a soothing or even romantic mood.

In other rooms, take a look at your table lamps, advise both Rey-Barreau and Jeff Dross, senior product manager for Kichler Lighting in Cleveland. “One way to make an impact on a small budget is by changing outdated lampshades with newer trend-forward versions that incorporate fashion-friendly colors, fabrics or patterns,” Dross says. “Many companies sell stand-alone shades at budget-friendly prices.”

Consider how you use table lamps as well, Rey-Barreau says. “How many do you use in a room? What types? Table lamps can create a more diverse quality of light, and adding a few accent lamps in a room can really change the quality of a space,” he adds.

Simple upgrades in kitchens and baths can also deliver big impact and enhance your home’s value on a shoestring budget, the experts agree.

Modern kitchens often hide lighting under cabinets or in the ceiling through recessed lighting. “Adding fixtures that can be shown off and enjoyed can make a big impact,” Dross says. “Adding mini pendants is a good place to start. They add aesthetic appeal and build an interesting focal point at a fair price.” Or, upgrade from a single bulb fixture in the kitchen to a multi-bulb unit with a dimmer, Gilbertson suggests.

In baths and kitchens, consider replacing fixtures with dated finishes with more contemporary choices. Many manufacturers now make light fixtures in finishes that complement some of the more popular choices for plumbing fixtures, Rey-Barreau points out.

Finally, when you’re lighting a room, keep in mind that you need to use more than one light and more than one kind of light. A balance of overhead lights (on dimmers), floor lamps and/or table lamps will produce the most aesthetically pleasing, livable atmosphere.

To learn more about how to use lighting to enhance your home’s decor, livability and salability, call A & A Lighting and Design Center at (888) 544-4814 toll free.

Perhaps your yard goes on for miles, or maybe it’s simply a sliver of green in an urban landscape. It doesn’t matter the size, suggests Carolyn Kinder, veteran industry designer and international product developer for the home. It’s being outside that’s important. “People enjoy extending their living time outdoors,” Kinder says. “There’s a good feeling about being outdoors.” Here are some simple ways to create an outdoor room that fits your life, your style, and your budget.

• Make it easy. “The best part of being outdoors is the reduction in fuss in every single thing you do,” says Kinder. Let that lack of formality establish an easy style with informal groupings of furniture, for example, which invite easy conversations. “Mix and match it together,” Kinder says.
• Plan for the same comfort-inducing amenities you would on an interior room, such as ceiling fans on a covered porch. Make sure you choose one that is rated for exterior use.
• Provide plenty of seating and a dining table, and don’t worry about a high-end set. Friends and family can’t come and stay a while if they don’t have anywhere to sit. “The more comfortable the chairs, the better off you are,” Kinder says. Pick some that are easy to use and sturdy, but don’t worry so much about lifespan, advises Kinder. “You can change the design and color without any guilt.”
• Plant something - anything. “Potted plants are an outrageously effective way to liven up a yard,” Kinder says.
• Extend your kitchen outside. “If you cook outdoors, it’s an automatic invitation for a closer environment,” Kinder says. “Everyone is enjoying the hospitality in the casual freedom of the outdoors.”
• Raid your candle drawers and the kiddie pool. You don’t have to have amazing design flair in order to create an outdoor room that’s cozy and fun. All you need is a sense of what makes you and your guests comfortable and welcome and makes the space pleasant and inviting. Put stakes into pots with candles. Wrap a swingset in bunches of Christmas lights. Fill a plastic wading pool with floating candleholders. Stash a supply of bug spray right outside the door. “Create a space so that no one wants to go in for the night,” Kinder says. “Those little touches make you a better host.”

• Photo courtesy of Hadco Photo courtesy of Hubbarton Forge Photo courtesy of Fanimation

Imagine:

Arriving at home, opening your garage door and having a predetermined set of lights go on to welcome you and your guests to your home.

Pressing one button on a wall controller to turn on or off all of your lights.

Having a beautiful ambiance of lighting with one touch.

This reference guide gives a quick overview of the possibilities of the RadioRa lighting control for your home.

radioraproductreferenceguide4.pdf