The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is offering a series of one-day training courses funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to assist contractors, homebuilders, energy auditors, architects, and other professionals throughout New York State to design and install efficient, new lighting systems in a variety of residential settings. The course, “Residential Lighting Technologies and Techniques” provides attendees with critical information on selecting and installing new and emerging alternatives to traditional light sources, utilizing the Lighting Patterns for Homes interactive design tool.

Lighting for residential settings is evolving rapidly. Federal legislation is phasing out low efficacy lamps, including many incandescent lamps, which have been the primary light source in homes for more than 100 years. New advances in LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are revolutionizing the way homes are lighted, improving visibility, comfort, and functionality for homeowners, while vastly reducing energy use and maintenance. The availability of new LED lighting technology has spurred interest among homeowners and multifamily building managers about lighting. Homeowners are now looking for homes that have advanced lighting systems, and homebuilders and contractors can use energy-efficient lighting as a selling point in new home construction and renovation.

In New York City, the energy conservation code is now requiring that all buildings, including homes and multifamily buildings, meet new stricter guidelines for installing energy-efficient lighting systems whenever renovations or alterations are made to the buildings. Programs being offered by NYSERDA and electric utilities across the State are encouraging the use of energy-efficient lighting in homes. This has built market demand for new, more efficient lighting products, and professionals must be prepared to meet this demand. New technologies, such as LEDs, require an advanced knowledge of lighting system design, selection, and installation. For example, control systems, such as manual dimmers that worked well with incandescent technologies, will not always work properly when paired with LED lighting systems. Careful attention must also be paid to the installation environment of LED products to ensure that thermal management systems that are part of these products will prevent them from overheating and potentially reducing their life, light output, and operation.

The morning of each “Residential Lighting Technologies and Techniques” seminar will review the various types of advanced lighting technologies (light bulbs, fixtures, controls) and important operational characteristics of each technology. Participants will be able to handle lighting products to get a feel for the way these products operate, are interconnected, and are installed. The session will also include a review of Lighting Patterns for Homes, which participants will use as part of the instruction. Participants will then use the information and tools they have learned in a group design exercise to redesign existing lighting plans to make them more efficient and effective for building occupants, and to estimate the costs and energy savings.

The cost for each participant is $40.00. This will include continental breakfast and lunch as well as all course materials and manuals. LRC Partners receive a 20% discount on the course fee. Participants will earn 6 American Institute of Architects (AIA) approved Health, Safety, Welfare Learning Units (LUs/HSW) for attending the course.

LRC will offer the one-day training course in locations throughout New York State including the western, central, and capital regions; New York City; the Hudson valley; and the southern tier.

Please visit the LRC website for dates and locations.