LightSavers during the Climate summit in Copenhagen

Demonstration projects in several cities around the world will evaluate LED lighting while promoting market uptake and encouraging LED-friendly policies and financing.
Guiyang, China
LightSavers, an international program to evaluate the use of LED lighting and smart controls in outdoor spaces, has been launched by The Climate Group at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Group’s (see press release describes several other initiatives launched simultaneously.

LightSavers will test how LEDs and smart controls perform in real-world applications, while working with its members to plan for scale-up and to encourage LED-friendly policies and financing products.

The Climate Group says that LED lamps, combined with smart controls, can cut CO2 emissions by 50 to 70%. LED lighting also reduces costs, enhances public safety, minimizes light pollution and makes public spaces friendlier at night.

The program was started by the City of Toronto and the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, which is already running a series of local projects. LightSavers is funded generously by the HSBC Climate Partnership.

LightSavers has launched a global trial to test the efficacy and cost savings of outdoor LEDs in a series of cities, beginning with Adelaide, Guiyang, Hong Kong, Kolkata, London, Mumbai, New York, Tianjin and Toronto (see details below).

The launch of the New York program was announced in September 2009 – see LED pilot projects get green light in the Big Green Apple.

The Climate Group is an independent, not-for-profit organization working internationally with government and business leaders to advance smart policies and technologies to cut global emissions and accelerate a low carbon economy.

Speaking in support of the LightSavers announcement from the C40 Mayors event in Copenhagen, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said, "London is pleased to be working with The Climate Group to progress trials of energy-busting street lighting to speed up their uptake.

“The potential to cut the city's carbon emissions and energy bills with new technologies is huge. By working in partnership, cities have the clout to catalyse the market for greener technologies and drive down procurement costs. We are already taking a series of ambitious yet practical steps to cut carbon in London by 60 per cent by 2025 which includes the installation of 3000 LED traffic lights from 2010." [See News].

More information on the LightSavers program is available at www.theclimategroup.org/programs/leds. Details of the international trials are:

* New York City, United States
The New York Department of Transportation is testing nine LED products in Central Park and on FDR East Side Drive.

* Toronto, Canada
Four City of Toronto agencies are testing parking lot, parking garage, and pedestrian pathway LED lighting products, some with smart controls.

* London, United Kingdom
Transport for London is testing high powered LED roadway lights in demanding applications on their Red Routes.

* Adelaide, Australia
Pedestrian pathway LED retrofit in the northern parklands of Adelaide.

* Hong Kong, China
Two municipal universities are testing and comparing Japanese, Chinese, and American made LED pathway luminaries on their respective campuses.

* Guiyang, China
The municipal government is testing two Chinese-made LED street light luminaires, one on a riverside pedestrian pathway and another on a local street (see details below).

* Tianjin, China
Local government agencies are testing two Chinese-made LED street lights products in a new ecocity development and on a university campus.

* Kolkata, India
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation is testing over a 100 Indian made LED street light luminaries in several locales.

* Mumbai, India
The Thane Municipal Corporation will install a trial of LED streetlights in the Greater Mumbai Region with support from the national government's Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

Guiyang, China (Guizhou Province, in southwestern China)

Guiyang, China
The Naming River winds through Guiyang’s downtown and is a major recreational asset for local residents. Many important cultural resources are located along its banks, including the Jiaxiu Lou Tower, and pedestrian paths along both banks are popular with local residents, which are lit along their 8 kilometer length by 150-watt high pressure sodium (HPS) post-top luminaries.

Guiyang has procured and installed 130 LED luminaires of the post-top variety designed and manufactured by Hiyu in Tianjin, and using Cree LEDs. The new luminaires are rated at 120 watts and produce a warm white light, as well as decorative striations on the pavement. There are two Study Areas, one consisting of 4 baseline luminaires, and the other comprising four Hiyu LED luminaires. Monitoring began in November 2009. Interim results will be available in March 2010.

Press release
Homelights, an LED lighting specialist, signs new distribution agreements with the main stores in the sector

Established a year and a half ago, Homelights has taken its place among the lighting giants by entering an expanding market: that of the LED. With the current entry of the new European directive*, Homelights will expand its distribution network and increase its activity.

Paris, October 20, 2009 – Homelights announces the signing of new distribution agreements. Homelights will, from this time forward, be a reference in the System U and Cora hypermarkets and supermarkets and the Laurie Lumière- specialised stores. Already present in numerous stores, Homelights will continue its development and reinforce its presence in the retail outlets of its current partners: Leclerc and the independent Mr Bricolage stores. It also is currently doing tests with the Auchan store.

"By putting forward the largest line on the LED market in the largest distribution stores, we can offer our costumers a choice of quality and a credible alternative to low energy-consuming lights" states Ludovic Rambert, general director of Homelights.
The Homelights products will be distributed in more than 500 retail outlets in France as of the month of November:
- 255 System U stores on November 30
- 121 Leclerc stores
- 58 Cora stores
- 52 Laurie Lumière stores
- 35 Mr Bricolage stores
- 5 Auchan stores
* European directive in force on September 1, 2009, aimed at making incandescent lights progressively disappear from the market.

About Homelights
Created in 2008, Homelights entered as one of the first players on the market for LED light sources (Electroluminescent Diodes) – bulbs and spotlights – to be used at home and offered the largest line of products on the greater public market. Established in France and in several European countries, Homelights has introduced a great Research and Development department to be able to offer more innovating and performing solutions to consumers and to respond to the demands of the new European standards. Homelights products are available in several large distribution chains such as Centres Leclerc, Cora, the U hypermarkets and supermarkets, Auchan and Mr Bricolage.

For more information on Homelights, please visit the Internet site www.homelights.fr

How to Be Green during the Holidays

No time of the year is more emotional than the holiday season, whether you're bursting with the joy of baking and caroling or overwhelmed with the stress of shopping and wrapping. But even with all those other factors weighing on your mind, it's possible to put a green spin on your holidays; simple tips and easy substitutions mean you can come through this season of indulgence without leaving a massive carbon footprint.

Start with your gift list, where going green can mean anything from simply buying fewer gifts (the too-cluttered shelves at your giftee's house will thank you, we promise) to finding Fair Trade alternatives to holiday classics. Look for recycled paper goods, like cards and wrapping, or get creative and make your own versions of both. Green your Christmas dinner with seasonal, local ingredients and organic turkeys, and stock your bar with organic bubbly and other green cocktails. Then look for green greens for your home by choosing fresh wreaths and pesticide-free trees trimmed with energy-slashing LED lights. Put the money you saved on your electric bill toward a donation to environmental charities and let your greenbacks support green projects.

But most importantly, keep in mind that the holidays are not about the gifts, the errands, the trimmings; they're about celebrating with your family and friends and appreciating the blessings in your life. We happen to think Mother Earth is one of those blessings, so put these tips to work to help keep it that way.

How many years to change a lightbulb?

For 130 years, inefficient incandescent light bulbs have been the world’s dominant source of lighting. They pass current into a fragile filament that can break at the slightest shock – just the surprise of being switched on can be enough.

Worse, its chief output is heat. Its luminous efficiency (ratio of light output to power input) is at best 2.6 per cent.

Competing technologies have emerged: compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, for example, which can offer luminous efficiency of up to 8.8 per cent. But they are relatively expensive, bulkier and slow to turn on fully.

Another is the white Light Emitting Diode. Current LEDs can achieve a luminous efficiency of up to 10 per cent; next generation models offer up to 22 per cent. LED bulbs also boast superior longevity of up to 50,000 hours (equivalent to 17 years with an average eight hours light a day).

For years, LEDs were not bright enough, did not emit the right colors and cost too much, limiting them to traffic lights, a few high-end vehicles, and a range of consumer devices.

But white LEDs are becoming commercially viable. Problems over intensity and color appear resolved and, while they are costly, long life makes them competitive. Long life also allows lighting to be used in awkward places – because with a 17 year life span, there is little need to worry about changing a light bulb.

Green: Play food

If you have a little one on your list, or even someone young at heart, consider feeding the dolls (and bears, and squirrels, and tigers) this Christmas.

Rather than spending money on factory-made plastic play food, why not support the handmade movement? Many creative Etsy artisans have designed original toys with your child's heart and imagination in mind. They encourage hours of unplugged, unscripted fun.

I remember spending time at my Granny's house playing with a hand-crocheted set of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and although I had plastic dolls too, these never failed to inspire my play time.

Handmade items are made with love, and never come over-packaged. They are not made with toxic materials, there's no assembly required, and they won't break right out of the box. Many can be designed by you, come in a variety of colors and materials, and can even be personalized, usually at no additional cost.

Green Clean Your Dish wash

I have an older dishwasher and I am fighting a battle to keep it running in good condition until I can go buy a nice, eco-friendly, energy efficient model. If you are on a quest for sparkling dishes too, some of these tips might be helpful.

First, we considered having a repair man in for a check up on the dishwasher. We were getting lots of little food particles sprayed everywhere. Then, before we called the repair man we put boiling hot water and baking soda down the kitchen drain adjacent to the dishwasher and cleaned out the bottle of the dishwasher really well. There was much improvement.

Other options to consider would be getting and old toothbrush and some white vinegar and scrubbing areas like the door seal and all the little nooks and crannies at the bottom. You can also wipe down the inside with white vinegar to combat staining and gunky build-up.

You can also run a high heat cycle with a cup or bowl of white vinegar in the top rack (no dishes, just the vinegar) to help get rid of any more gunk you couldn't get with the toothbrush.

If you're trying to make your dishwasher last longer until you can afford a sparkling high efficiency model, a good green cleaning might drastically improve your performance. Try it and see!

Why GE and Philips do not focus on LED

It seems that General Electric and Philips have enough inventory of regular incandescent and fluorescent (with mercury) bulbs to last for the next few years...so they appear not ready to be offering their retailers a product that can change the world.
Solid State Lighting will replace all lighting within the next 15 years and certain light bulbs can be replaced immediately with LED lamps.
All spot light and flood lights...all decorative interior and exterior lights.

Easy way to decrease your bills dramatically

Switch to light emitting diodes

Light emitting diodes (Led) can be a huge energy saver. Replace some (or all) of you incandescent bulbs with Led and enjoy reduction in heat production, energy use, and electric bills! Savings: changing five of the most frequently used light bulbs in your home can save you $100 per year on electric bills!

Lumen versus candela

The lumen (symbol: lm) is the SI unit of luminous flux, a measure of the perceived power of light. Luminous flux differs from radiant flux, the measure of the total power of light emitted, in that luminous flux is adjusted to reflect the varying sensitivity of the human eye to different wavelengths of light. The lumen is defined in relation to the candela by 1 lm = 1 cd·sr = 1 lx·m2
That is, a light source that uniformly radiates one candela in all directions radiates a total of 4π lumens. If the source were partially covered by an ideal absorbing hemisphere, that system would radiate half as much luminous flux—only 2π lumens. The luminous intensity would still be one candela in those directions that are not obscured.

The candela (IPA: /kænˈdɛlə/, /-ˈdiːlə/, symbol: cd) is the SI base unit of luminous intensity; that is, power emitted by a light source in a particular direction, weighted by the luminosity function (a standardized model of the sensitivity of the human eye to different wavelengths, also known as the luminous efficiency function. A common candle emits light with a luminous intensity of roughly one candela. If emission in some directions is blocked by an opaque barrier, the emission would still be approximately one candela in the directions that are not obscured.
The candela is the luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 × 1012 hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that direction of 1/683 watt per steradian.

The definition describes how to produce a light source that (by definition) emits one candela. Such a source could then be used to calibrate instruments designed to measure luminous intensity, for example.

The candela is sometimes still called by the old name candle, such as in foot-candle and the modern definition of candlepower.


Relationship between luminous intensity and luminous flux
If a source emits a known intensity (in candelas) in a well-defined cone, the total luminous flux in lumens can be calculated by taking the number of candelas, and dividing it by the number in the table below that corresponds to the "radiation angle" of the lamp (the full vertex angle of the emission cone). Example: A lamp that emits 590 cd with a radiation angle of 40°: 590/2.64 = approximately 223 lumens.


The lux (symbol: lx) is the SI unit of illuminance and luminous emittance. It is used in photometry as a measure of the apparent intensity of light hitting or passing through a surface. It is analogous to the radiometric unit watts per square metre, but with the power at each wavelength weighted according to the luminosity function, a standardized model of human brightness perception. In English, "lux" is used in both singular and plural.


Lux versus lumen
The difference between the lux and the lumen is that the lux takes into account the area over which the luminous flux is spread. A flux of 1,000 lumens, concentrated into an area of one square metre, lights up that square metre with an illuminance of 1,000 lux. However, the same 1,000 lumens, spread out over ten square metres, produces a dimmer illuminance of only 100 lux.
Achieving an illuminance of 500 lux might be possible in a home kitchen with a single fluorescent light fixture with an output of 12,000 lumens. To light a factory floor with dozens of times the area of the kitchen would require dozens of such fixtures. Thus, lighting a larger area to the same level of lux requires a greater number of lumens.

Lux versus footcandle
One footcandle ≈ 10.764 lux. The footcandle (or lumen per square foot) is a non-SI unit of illuminance. Like the BTU, it is mainly only in common use in the United States, particularly in construction-related engineering and in building codes. Because lux and footcandles are different units of the same quantity, it is perfectly valid to convert footcandles to lux and vice versa.

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Design your own Green Tshirt

Always have been looking for a Green tshirt with a good quality? This is your chance to create your own Green tshirt. Have a look at the website

Green Tshirt

Are u ready for LED light bulbs

If you've gone green, then you probably have those curly-cue compact florescent light bulbs hanging from your fixtures. That's wonderful. But what if I told you that there was a new bulb in town that may one day tell CFLs, "C U L8R?"

The new bulb on the block is the LED bulb, and the advantages of LED bulbs are truly staggering. First off, a 1.3-watt LED bulb uses less electricity than both the 60-watt incandescent and the 9-watt CFL bulb. Secondly, LED bulbs last for a long time. How long? Let's just say that you could get married, have a child and go to his or her college graduation without ever changing bulbs. Some bulbs can last up to 100,000 hours, and they are clean. LED light bulbs don't contain mercury like CFL bulbs.
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What are Led's ?

Light emitting diodes, commonly called LEDs, are real unsung heroes in the electronics world. They do dozens of different jobs and are found in all kinds of devices. Among other things, they form the numbers on digital clocks, transmit information from remote controls, light up watches and tell you when your appliances are turned on. Collected together, they can form images on a jumbo television screen or illuminate a traffic light.

Basically, LEDs are just tiny light bulbs that fit easily into an electrical circuit. But unlike ordinary incandescent bulbs, they don't have a filament that will burn out, and they don't get especially hot. They are illuminated solely by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material, and they last just as long as a standard transistor.
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How to be green during Halloween

Halloween should be green. From the candy to the costumes to the plastic scary stuff all over lawns, there are plenty of things needing greening.
Here are four cool quick ideas for a green Halloween.
1. Recycle old costumes or plastic scary things you leave on your lawn from years past. That should have been done anyway. If you don't need to go out and buy something why should you? That reduces consumption.
2. Use eco-friendly face paints. Your local health food store or chain like Whole Foods or Mrs. Greens ought to have something for you.
3. Give away wholesome treats. My kids love Halloween for the sugar rush, so at least make it organic or fair trade. Or give something a bit healthier; then you really are giving a treat, not a trick for parents to deal with later.
4. Use LED Halloween lights. LEDs are much more efficient than incandescent bulbs and will reduce your expenses for this holiday in the long run. LEDs last a lot longer than CFL or regular bulbs, so you can light up your home and not scare yourself with the electric bill later in November.
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Led Holiday lights

Over the past few years, many people have been making the switch to LED string lights for their holiday decorations and recycling their old incandescent lights. With an average energy savings of 80%, it's no wonder the switch is so appealing! More people are gaining awareness of the need to conserve energy at every turn, even during the festivities of the holidays, so LED lights are getting a lot of attention.
We've found a resource, HolidayLEDs, that shows you everything you need to know to comfortably switch to LEDs, as well as what to do with those old string lights.
Calculate Your Energy Savings
While LED lights offer some incredible energy savings, they can be pretty pricey. The higher up-front cost can sometimes deter customers who think that the energy savings is cancelled out by the purchase price. However, HolidayLEDs has great instructions for how to calculate your savings by switching to LED string lights. They lay out an easy-to-follow formula so you'll know just what kind of return on investment to expect. LED string lights have a long life expectancy, so even though they might be more expensive up front, you'll definitely be helping out the environment and saving money in the long run.
Recycle Old Lights for Free
HolidayLEDs also has a free recycling program for old lights. Simply mail in your old lights, and you'll receive a coupon for 15% off items in their online store. What a great reward for recycling! You can use the discount to purchase your new LED string lights. The company explains just how they recycle the lights, so you can rest assured that your old lights are being properly processed.
Shop 'til You Drop
And finally, HolidayLEDs is an excellent resource for—of course—purchasing LED string lights. Most any type of light you could possibly want for holiday decorating is available as LED and offered at this online store.

Arizona resident converted his entire home to LED lighting

Using LED lighting could be comfortable and it almost could be placed everywhere in the house.


Two years ago, Roger Deane from Scottsdale, Arizona contacted LED magazine and said that he has converted all his lighting into LED lighting. His first experiment was to convert his outdoor lighting, and once this was done, his electric bill plummet by approximately $20 per month. Other advantages of LED lights were that they do not emit as much heat as the old incandescent bulbs did.

Before the project he had six double light "shop" lights which were gobbling up over 560 watts. “I now only use approx. 60 watts doing the whole garage with 20 PAR20 lamps on track lighting. Also, the garage is air-conditioning and well insulated, there are also savings from not having those HOT tubes and ballasts!”

LED lighting could be almost used everywhere, even the places where you couldn’t dare to imagine. For example: the LED lighting strips that could be used for under-counter locations where did not have lighting before, or in small cabinets like guest bath, even inside the fridge is possible.

During the project Roger receives a lot positive reactions from his friends about his interior lighting. But they still have apprehension to use it at home. However, once they have used, they will have more positive comments on it.

It has been two years for him to installed LED lights, but he still did not have to replace a single LED bulb yet. This shows how good qualities the LED bulbs are!

EU starts phasing out incandescent light bulbs

THE European Union will start its transition from power-draining incandescent light bulbs to more energy efficient ones today, the European Commission said.

The new rules follow an agreement reached by the 27 EU governments last year to phase out the traditional light bulb over three years starting this year to help European countries lower greenhouse gas emissions, EU executive said yesterday.

This aims to curb climate change and reduce energy bills.

As of today, old standard frosted light bulbs and clear bulbs of 100 watts and more will no longer be manufactured or imported into the EU as part of the plan.

The traditional incandescent bulbs are being replaced by long-life fluorescent or halogen lamps.

Consumers will still be able to buy the older bulbs until supplies run out. The EU says the switch from incandescent bulbs to more efficient ones will bring energy savings of 25 to 75 percent compared to the traditional bulbs.

The EU's executive has said the measure will save households up to 50 euros (US$71) a year and pump up to 10 billion euros into the economy.

The measure is part of a series of energy-saving measures planned by the EU to cut emissions of the greenhouse gases blamed for global warming and to reduce energy expenditure.

Several nations including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the Philippines have already announced they will phase out or restrict sales of traditional bulbs as well.

Energy-strapped Tajikistan also announced yesterday it will ban the import of incandescent light bulbs in an effort to conserve power. The move by the Central Asian country is meant to lessen Tajikistan's reliance on imported electricity.

Severe power shortages hit Tajikistan last winter. At the peak of the shortages, power was limited to 11 hours a day in the capital, Dushanbe, and about four hours a day elsewhere.

The incandescent bulb, which is little changed since Thomas Edison invented it in the 19th century, uses more power than energy-saving fluorescent light bulbs and halogen lamps.

source: shanghai daily http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200909/20090901/article_412379.htm

how to save energy at school

Led has many advantages

In these days, it is very hard to save energy for people who have a small business at home. What a lot of people do not know is that a small company can save a huge amount of money per year without being thrifty. The only thing that they have to do is just replace the lightings at home. For example: If you are using incandescent bulbs at home, it wise to change it into LED lightings. Why? Because LED lightings can be placed almost in every corner in your house not just like CFL bulbs and it can reduce your bills by hundreds of dollars per year. Moreover, when you purchase LED lightings it has a lifetime of 25 years which is far longer than the CFL bulb and incandescent lighting. A lot of people ask me why do not use CFL because it is a bit cheaper than the LED. People listen carefully now, when you have to choose between those two, I would recommend you to choose the LED, because CFL has fewer lifetime than LED and is use more energy than LED. Below the text you will see a chart which is very valuable when you considering to buy a CFL or incandescent lighting. Comparison Chart
Bulb Type Lumens Watts Investment Consumption Energy Cost Total Cost
Incandescent 1600 100 $100.00 10000 kWh $1,000.00 $1,100.00
CFL 1600 25 $100.00 2500 kWh $250.00 $350.00
LED 1600 15 $100.00 1500 kWh $150.00 $250.00

Investment based on:
• Incand:$1.00 per bulb x 100 bulbs to equal the lifespan of one LED style bulb
• CFL: $10.00 per bulb x 10 bulbs to equal the lifespan of one LED style bulb
• LED: $100.00 per bulb equal to 100,000 hour lifespan
Consumption based on:
• Kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy used over the course of 100,000 hours
Energy Cost based on:
• 10 cents per kWh average fee from utility company

New Blog

Thank you very much for joining our blog. Our mission is to reduce the energy use where is possible. However, some people do not know where and how to save energy at home. So that why we have made this blog with daily update about tips and tricks how to save energy