Illuminating subtly from the ceiling, recessed lighting is a popular form of architecture that is specified for a wide range of new construction applications. While predominantly used for office spaces or conference rooms, architects are finding new and unique opportunities to feature recessed lighting in their projects. However, selecting the right luminaire, with the right performance, is a critical component of design for architects to perfect. When done well, layering light correctly can create a beautiful environment or create a wreck of a setting when not. Ideally, architects can rely on lighting designers to make sure that they have the correct spacing, illumination output and color temperature for the climate. By doing so, you can create visual interest in a space and avoid dull areas.

When you look at a product's specification sheet or its packaging, you'll notice that there are specific listings or approvals designated for that particular product. As new lighting products are created or even when existing products are updated, manufacturers test and certify their products with Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) recognized by OSHA for safety standards. XtraLight is often asked what these listings indicate, which ones are most important, and what the differences are. Instead of endlessly searching the internet for answers, here are some facts about common lighting product listings and what they represent.

How often do you go to the store and get frustrated because everything you see is made from China, Mexico, or somewhere else? More consumers today want to support American businesses, but it’s hard to do so when much of what's available is imported from other countries and American-made product alternatives are non-existent. XtraLight is proud to manufacture LED lighting solutions in Houston, Texas and there are tremendous benefits to buying American-made LED products domestically versus offshore.

Lighting is one of those things that modern, 21^st-century residents and professionals simply take for granted. Just flip a switch, and you're able to see and complete whatever task you have in front of you, regardless of whether there are no windows in the room, or if it's 10 o'clock at night. But lighting, despite being an older, fairly stable technology, continues to evolve and so have people's needs for new solutions. The type of lighting a child needs to do his or her homework at night is very different from the kind of lighting a staged play needs to ensure an audience can see the action. That's why lighting experts, with varying certifications, exist.

While lighting doesn't require a degree or a license the way medical or electrical expertise does, certain kinds of lighting needs will require someone with a recognized level of knowledge, experience, and quality track record. For these needs, several lighting certifications have arisen to promote the knowledge and skill set of specific lighting requirements. Let’s go into eight of those certifications now, and see what they mean for you and your lighting needs.

Without light, we cannot see, and since so many of our daily activities are inherently tied to our ability to perceive shape, form, color and depth, the technology that creates light has become central to our lives.

Lighting has made much advancement over the decades, regarding the technology to create it, the science of understanding it, and the design sensibility to install and display it for maximum effectiveness. However, there can often be more to the creation and installation of light in a building than just installing wiring, switches and then turning on the lights. Lighting designers are playing an increasingly important role in lighting needs for both commercial and pedestrian areas, and there are several good reasons you should consult them for your space.

To say that energy efficiency is important in the context of a data center is something of an understatement. The Federal Energy Management Program that was created under the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, for example, outlines recommendations for ways that data centers can reduce energy consumption by between 20% and 40% just by applying best management energy-efficiency measures and strategies.