Bridgelux launches Decor ultrahigh-CRI LED arrays for retail and hospitality lighting

LED chip and lighting array maker Bridgelux Inc of Livermore, CA, USA (which claims to be the only vertically integrated maker of LED solid-state light sources specifically for the lighting industry) has launched its Decor line of ultra-high color rendering index (CRI) LED arrays. Leveraging the firm’s ES and RS array technology and developed in collaboration with luminaire designer and manufacturer Martini Lighting (a division of Martini SpA of Milan, Italy), Decor is optimized for demanding applications such as retail, hospitality, museums and high-end architectural lighting.

With a CRI of 97 and a 3-step MacAdams Elipse color control option, the Decor arrays enable lighting designers to truly render a full palette of colors over a wide range of light levels, says Bridgelux. Delivering 1200-2500 lumens, the new arrays have been spectrally engineered to closely replicate the light quality of halogen and incandescent light sources. The arrays deliver R9 and R15 values of 98, to both enhance reds and represent skin tones accurately, ensuring clean and natural lighting. The firm says that the Decor series expands lighting options available to the lighting designer, complementing its existing standard minimum 80 and minimum 90 CRI products.

The Decor arrays deliver light output equivalent to a 75–150W halogen bulb, while using only 25–50W of power. Further, they feature the same form factor as previous Bridgelux Array product generations, allowing a simple upgrade path for existing customers while minimizing design efforts.

“The new Decor arrays take us to the next level, enabling very high-end lighting design,” says Giorgio Martini, vice president at Martini Lighting. “These new arrays have allowed us to rethink lighting and luminaire design in fresh and innovative ways,” he adds. “We can design precision lighting effects and striking contrast ratios, enhancing the presentation of retail merchandise. The Decor arrays now permit us to deliver the highest-quality light, brilliantly rendering colors and textures. These are the elements that allow us to present our shops and restaurants in living color.”

Energy adviser: Work with landlord to reap savings

If you rent a single-family home, or even a one-bedroom apartment, there are ways to reduce your energy use and save money.

For renters interested in bigger energy savings, negotiating with a landlord to share in the cost of upgrading to Energy Star appliances, installing a programmable thermostat or improving insulation and duct sealing may be a win for both. Your landlord keeps a good tenant happy and you see a reduction in your monthly power bill.

Just be sure to check with your landlord before starting any major projects because some leases prevent tenants from making changes even if they could lead to energy savings.

Vancouver apartment manager Jason Pulse says renters can take small steps to reduce energy use by replacing incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent lights, turning lights out in unoccupied rooms and setting the heat at a lower temperature.

Compact fluorescent bulbs can use up to 75 percent less electricity. (You can recycle used CFLs at any Clark Public Utilities office).

“Typically, the power bills in our units run $60 to $90 a month, but making a lot of small changes can help,” said Pulse, who manages the 400-unit Highland Hills apartments in Salmon Creek.

Apartments built in the past 10 years, such as Highland Hills, have benefitted from stricter building codes that require better insulation and energy-efficient double-pane windows. However, many renters in the Northwest live in older apartments or houses, which predate these codes and may rely on less-efficient heating systems: baseboard, ceiling cable and wall heaters.

Here’s how to save money, if you rent:

Heating: For every degree you lower the thermostat over an eight-hour period, you’ll cut 1-2 percent off your heating bill, according to experts at Clark Public Utilities. Turn the heat down even more when you’re asleep or away from home for more than a few hours. For zoned heat, turn the thermostat to low in empty rooms and close the door. Check to make sure your thermostat is still functioning correctly by using a separate indoor thermometer, since older units sometimes stop regulating heat levels as precisely as they could. Replacing a worn-out room temperature controller can make a significant difference in your ability to reduce energy use.

Use curtains and shades to keep the heat in during the winter and out in the summer.

Water heater: A temperature of 120 should be adequate for most households, but check with your landlord before changing it. Take five-minute showers instead of baths. Have leaky faucets repaired or you’ll be wasting water, and the energy to heat it.

Hyundai adds biggest V-8

The 2012 Genesis 5.0 R-Spec also comes with a new, eight-speed automatic transmission, stylish light-emitting diode headlight trim, big, 19-inch wheels and sport-tuned suspension.

All this, plus heated front and rear seats, navigation system with sizable, 8-inch display, rearview camera, power rear sunshade, standard lane departure warning system to help keep drivers in their lanes, 10 years/100,000-mile warranty coverage on the powertrain, five-years/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage, and wealth of other standard features, comes at a base retail price of $47,350.

The value price compares with the $57,975 for a base, 2011 Mercedes E550 with lower-power, 382-horsepower V-8 and no navigation system, rearview camera, power rear sunshade or lane departure system. The E550 also is smaller than the Genesis.

Another competitor, the 2011 BMW 750i sedan that's some 3 inches longer than the Genesis, has a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge and federal government-mandated gas guzzler tax, of $86,175 with a 400-horsepower V-8.

The touted highlight of the R-Spec is the engine, which is used in only one other Hyundai sold here ― the flagship Equus.

But the real story is how this newest model doesn't mess up an already comfortable, roomy sedan.

Auto enthusiast magazines knock the R-Spec for not really being sporty, and I agree the name R-Spec triggers expectations that this car doesn't meet. But I like that the R-Spec retains Hyundai's usual "pack-everything-inside-for-a-value-price" character while not adding harshness or cheap, boy-racer customized looks.

As an example, the R-Spec's suspension tweaks for sportiness ― the rear stabilizer bar now is 19 millimeter in diameter, up from 18 millimeters, for example ― are mild.

Yes, this Genesis rides better, with a more even, solid feel than the earlier Genesis cars. The test R-Spec moved over road bumps competently, not with any fuss or unsettled jarring.

But anyone expecting the R-Spec to have an overtly firm, taut ride like a BMW or twitchy steering like a Porsche will be disappointed. And, at some 4,100-plus pounds, the R-Spec four-door also doesn't feel as ponderous as some German competitors.

The R-Spec comes standard with those LED trim lights by the headlights, which add a jeweled look to the front but are a rip-off of Audi's LED-headlight styling.

Phillies snap Reds' win streak at 4

Homer Bailey pitched one of the better games of his career -- right up until he grooved a first-pitch strike to Shane Victorino in the eighth.

Victorino hit a towering shot out to right for a two-run home run. The blow lifted the Philadelphia Phillies over the Reds 3-2 Monday night before a crowd of 21,360 at Great American Ball Park.

The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Reds.

Yonder Alonso started his first game at third base. He did not get a defense chance in the game.

Bailey went eight innings and allowed the three runs on six hits. He walked none and struck out a season-high nine.

Both pitchers were perfect through three innings.

The Phillies got a hit off Bailey in the fourth. Chase Utley hit one toward the hole between second and first. Brandon Phillips got the ball but had it go off his glove.

He picked up and flipped it backhand toward first but it was off line.

Phillips broke up Cole Hamels’ no-hitter with a gift triple, leading off the Reds’ fourth. Phillips hit a high drive to right-center. Hunter Pence overran the ball, then fell down as he reached back to catch it.

Hamels struck out Dave Sappelt and got ahead of Joey Votto 0-2. But Votto took two balls and then grounded one to Utley at second to get the run in.

The Phillies came right back in the fifth. Pence led off with a single.

John Mayberry grounded one to first that Reds nearly turned a 3-6-1 double play on. Carlos Ruiz followed with single, sending Mayberry to third. Wilson Valdez hit a sinking line drive to left. Sappelt came in and attempted a diving catch but he missed it. It went for an RBI double.