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A familiar face: One of the latest entrants in the residential IoT lighting market already has already been on the premises of over 14 million homes. It’s the UK’s leading power utility, British Gas. [Pic: Nissan] |
British Gas, the UK power utility that is blazing smart home trails with its Hive connected heating system, is now staking a claim to the residential smart lighting market by adding LED lamps to the system, a move that could signal the arrival of other major utilities into the home smart lighting arena.
Through a partnership with LED company Aurora Group, British Gas in June began offering intelligent Hive-branded LED bulbs that tie into the Hive home internet hub, allowing users to wirelessly turn lights on and off and brighten and dim them from anywhere via an app. Last week, it beefed up the offering with bulbs that will change colours and colour temperature.
The LED lamps, supplied by Aurora, are the latest addition to the ever-expanding Hive ecosystem. British Gas – the largest power utility in Britain – launched Hive Active Heating in July 2015 to allow customers to control heating and hot water from computers and gadgets either at home or from around the world. Early this year it added ‘smart plug’ and ‘smart sensor’ products; the plug lets nervous users switch off an outlet if they fear they’ve left the iron on, and the sensors send alerts if they detect motion through a door or window.
Lighting – called Hive Active Light – now fits neatly into the same scheme. Traveling users can, for example, schedule lights to switch on and change brightness as a burglar deterrent. Or they can do the same for their own mood and comfort when they’re at home. A new Hive bulb from Aurora now lets users change colours. Another lets customers tune the colour temperature of white light, in line with the emerging field of ‘circadian lighting’ in which blue-tinged white light can help stimulate people, and red-tinged white light can foster relaxation.
The new products follow on the heels of Hive allowing users to control the Aurora lights with verbal commands using Amazon’s Echo hardware and Alexa software. Hive also works with the ‘if this then that’ tool from service company IFTTT, which lets users program lights to trigger or respond to other things. Clearly, Hive has move beyond its heating roots.
‘Although we started out by launching our smart thermostat, we are more than a central heating business,’ Hive product and commercial director Tom Guy told Lux. ‘For some, the benefits of smart lighting will be about the peace of mind that, while you’re away on business or holiday, you’ve scheduled your lights to come on. For others, it will be about setting the perfect ambience to unwind after a stressful day. For these reasons, smart lighting has the ability to transform people’s experience of the space they live in.’
Guy added that Hive will continue to add functions, and to innovate ways for users to engage with the system. For instance, users can express vocal requests to Amazon’s Alexa in about 80 different phrases germane to the UK , including ‘Alexa, bosh my lights on,’ Guy said.
It’s all part of the fledging Internet of Things (IoT) in which anything that can be digitised will be for the purposes of improving controls and operations, and of gathering and analysing data.
It is also key to the general beyond illumination movement that is driving the lighting industry in the modern era in which LED lamps are expected to
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House calls: Smart lighting has yet to make huge inroads into the home, but that could change with the arrival of the Hive smart bulbs from British Gas and Aurora. (Pic: Hive) |
last for a couple of decades and thus deprive vendors of revenue from replacement sales, long their financial bread-and-butter in the days of traditional incandescent lighting.
Although many LED lighting vendors are touting smart lighting, the concept has been slow to catch on in the home, where it has had something of a limited, upmarket niche appeal. One reason is that in many instances users have to purchase expensive starter kits.
Still, smart home lighting appears poised for a breakthrough. In a recent survey, consulting giant Deloitte said that 40 percent of consumers identified lights as an appliance they would most likely replace with a connected device – tying for the lead with thermostats, which also weighed in at 40 percent. Next came security cameras, at 33 percent, followed by security alarms and fridges, at 30 percent each.
And in its recent annual ‘socket survey,’ Sylvania reported that 76 percent of people agree that ‘smart lighting will eventually replace regular lighting.’
Aurora believes that associating with a utility like British Gas, which has direct access to over 14 million homes in the UK, will help kick-start consumers into deploying Internet-connected lighting.
The partnership also moves Aurora into the realm of a service industry, which is where many modern lighting companies are trying to position themselves in the face of waning replacement hardware sales.
‘They’ve got 10,000 engineers on the road, so in terms of how they engage with their customers, its’ very, very direct,’ said Neil Salt, managing director of Aurora’s IoT division. ‘We’ve always been excited about what the opportunities would be beyond the bulb and the opportunity came along with Hive. They have real opportunity in terms of their scale and the reach into residential. You can’t ignore they’re a significant player in that space. With men on the ground it makes a significant difference in how the adoption curve will be because you have the face-to-face interaction with people.’
The ‘men on the ground’ aren’t selling Hive Active Light per se. But as service and support engineers who install the smart Hive thermostat, they put a human face to the system, and can help warm up users to the notion of adding smart products such as LED lamps. Customers can purchase the Hive-branded, Aurora-supplied bulbs through the Hive website or from a number of UK retailers including John Lewis, Curry’s, Amazon, Maplin and Screwfix. One original, dimmable bulb costs £19, a set of three costs £49, and five costs £79. The bulbs are rated at 806 lumens, nine watts, 25,000 hours and 2700K. Users control them via Apple or Android devices. Signals travel via ZigBee wireless connections.
The new nine-watt ‘cool-to-warm’ colour temperature bulb is priced at £29, £79 and £119 for one, three or five. The bulbs can range from a warm 2700K to a cool 6500K (in the counterintuitive numbers of the Kelvin scale, higher is cooler). Prices for the 9.5-watt full RGB colour bulb are £44, £119 and £179 for quantities of one, three or five.
Hive makes the bulbs available with either of the UK’s standard socket fitting – ‘screw’ or ‘bayonet.’ The bulbs do not require a Hive Active Heating system, but they do require a hub.
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It takes two: British Gas supplies ’em, Aurora makes ’em, as the Hive packaging shows. (Pic: Auroa) |
The hub is a small square device that looks like a broadband modem. Hive sells a starter kit including one hub and three bulbs for £89, £119 and £159 for the dimmable white, cool-to-warm, and colour bulbs, respectively.
Existing Hive Active Heating users can tie bulbs into their hubs. New users who want heating, lighting and the other Hive products including smart plugs and sensors can buy kits starting at £299 for a hub and heating, one bulb, an indoor motion sensor and either a door or window sensors; £349 includes an extra lamp plus a smart plug.
Although the Hive deal helps cast Aurora as more of a services company, Aurora’s revenues will come strictly from the conventional modus operandi of selling bulbs. Aurora sells them to Hive, which resells them to customers of its energy services.
The alliance with British Gas should help boost Aurora’s push into smart lighting. The Welwyn Garden City, England-based company is a big champion of IoT lighting. CEO Andrew Johnson is also founder and CEO of St. Petersburg, Florida-based IoT lighting start-up Gooee, which makes technology for companies like Aurora to embed in LED bulbs and luminaires. The Hive bulbs do not use Gooee technology, which is currently more geared to the commercial market, and which is not due out until early 2017
For British Gas, if Hive Active Light helps engage customers, it could help offset a decline in its customer base. The company – which claims to be the world’s oldest power utility with roots going back to 1812 – has about 14.5 million accounts, but it has been losing accounts. In the first quarter of this year alone, 224,000 customers bolted to competitors offering incentives for switching suppliers.
While lighting companies morph more into service entities, the Aurora partnership helps turn British Gas – traditionally a services outfit – into one more reliant on hardware sales. That corollary could help offset the monetary hit that utilities stand to take as people increasingly try to conserve energy and become more energy-efficient.
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Hubba Hubba: The lights require a hub as pictured above. (Pic: Hive) |
‘They’re in a bit of a dichotomy at the minute as an industry,’ noted Salt. ‘Everyone wants to buy less of what they’re selling – energy. It’s interesting to see when you look globally at energy and utility companies and how they are looking at creating value beyond energy. The lighting industry has its ‘value beyond illumination’ statement. I think every business as a whole, as things get commoditised, as markets change, it’s interesting to see how they adapt. Energy companies are well-placed. They’ve got their reach, they’ve got their scale, they’ve got customer connectivity. I think it’s great if they’re able to offer products in this ‘smart’ space. It can only be good for all of us to create awareness and serve as a catalyst.’
It’s not clear that Hive Active Light has yet turned into a runaway success. Guy declined to say how many users have gone for it, other than noting that “demand has greatly exceed our expectations.” The broader Hive in general has signed up over 360,000 homes since launching as a heating offering in July 2015, and is the UK’s leading smart thermostat brand, according to Guy.
‘The number of people interested in smart home tech is growing all the time,’ he said. ‘We’re definitely reaching a tipping point.’
It’s still early days. If the market for Hive products and services does indeed heat up in lighting, then watch for more hook-ups between utilities and lighting companies like Aurora.
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John Doyle, Managing Director of Doyle & Tratt Products Ltd, British manufacturer of the Varilight brand of dimmer switches, explains further why contractors no longer need to accept second-best, particularly in relation to the dimming of LED lamps.
With an ever-increasing array of new control technologies available and many style and colour options for clients to choose from, electrical contractors rely heavily on good product availability from wholesalers across a very wide range of wiring accessories. You cannot always rely on the products you need being available ex-stock. Therefore, if a wholesaler is not offering same-day or next-day availability on a full range they are likely to miss out on orders and risk losing your support.
Further, if the product most suited to an intended application is not readily available there is also a danger that you will purchase a generic item off-the-shelf instead, especially at the final fix phase when time is of the essence. Inevitably, this often leads to problems down the line when products fail to perform satisfactorily or fail prematurely, requiring a re-visit to the site to troubleshoot or replace the originally installed item. This is costly in terms of your time and also your reputation. With your own credibility at stake, you want to install the best solution first time around and not settle for second best.
Don’t settle
Take the increasingly common example of a client asking their electrician to install energy-efficient LED lighting. Through (sometimes bitter) experience, most electrical contractors will have settled on a preferred brand of lamp, and, if the customer is looking for dimmable lighting, a preferred brand of dimmer as well. Unsurprisingly, all LED lighting is not created equal, even if it is described as “dimmable”, and so it is important to select the best dimmer switches for the job in hand. There are many dimmer switch technologies now available but very few deliver consistent results so it’s important for the electrician to have quick and easy access to the best dimmer for the application to avoid significant delay and client dissatisfaction.
“Unsurprisingly, all LED lighting is not created equal, even if it is described as ‘dimmable’, and so it is important to select the best dimmer switches for the job in hand.”
Many leading manufacturers have established supply chains that enable next-day delivery of items not generally available on wholesalers’ shelves. Therefore, you should always ask specifically for and insist on receiving the product you know is best suited to the job.
This is particularly important when new technologies arrive because it is difficult for wholesalers to indentify whether a new product should become a stock item. For example, when Varilight’s V-Pro series LED dimmers were first launched it took a while for wholesalers to begin stocking them. The V-Pro dimmer is now our best-selling product and widely available ex-stock. Meanwhile, our new V-Com series dimmers for larger LED loads are new to the market and not yet widely stocked. However, as with all Varilight products they are available on a next-day basis through our well established supply chain.
Ready to go
For contractors, the knowledge that a product is available next-day from your preferred wholesaler enables you to confidently recommend the products you know will be the best ones for your client’s application. Ready stock availability streamlines your business with reduced downtime and site re-visits while enabling you to deliver the optimum solution for the client.
Additionally, in situations where two manufacturers’ products are being used in an application, as in the above case with LED lamps and dimmer compatibility, knowledge is especially important. Many lamp manufacturers have tested their lamps with a range of dimmer switches and list them on their websites. Additionally, dimmer manufacturers may be able to recommend lamps that they know from experience give excellent results every time.
Quite clearly, it is no longer sufficient for manufacturers to have great products; investment is required to develop robust and well-structured supply chains to ensure those products are readily available for contractors to procure on a next-day basis.
You, as contractors, have a vital role to play in this process. It is only by insisting that your preferred wholesaler stocks or can quickly obtain products you know and trust, that they will have them available when you need them. In this way, you are able to respond at short notice and you can increase your credibility with your clients.
Visit www.novelenergylighting.com today to explore our range of Varilight dimmers and LED lighting. Call us 0208-540-8287 which questions, or email us: sales@novelenergylighting.com
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In 2015 the number of lamps being recycled leapt by 44 per cent while luminaires were up 4.4 per cent. Commenting on the news, Nigel Harvey, CEO of specialist lighting WEEE compliance scheme Recolight, said: ‘It is particularly pleasing to see that the 2015 recycling rate bounced back up from 2014. This is probably due, in part, to the recycling of fluorescent waste resulting from major LED integrated luminaire roll outs in business premises across the UK. The lamp recycling rate from 2013 to 2014 saw a drop when, for the first time, the data included LED lamps as well as Gas Discharge Lamps. With very large quantities of LEDs being sold – but very few being returned as WEEE, the inclusion of LEDs inevitably reduced the rate.’
Turning to the luminaire recycling rate, he added ‘The luminaire recycling rate has increased from 2014 to 2015. However, the tonnage of luminaires collected in 2015 is only 5 per cent higher than in 2014. The rate increase is therefore primarily due to the 12.7 per cent reduction in the tonnage of luminaires reported as put on the market. This reduction is likely to be a result of dual use classification, which means that any luminaires that could be used by consumers are now out of scope of the WEEE Regulations.’
- The Environment Agency data also reveals that membership of Recolight has increased more than any other UK scheme. The number of members increased by 23 producers between the end of 2014, and the beginning of 2016. That is also Recolight’s biggest annual increase recorded since the scheme was established in 2007.
Visit Novel Energy Lighting to explore LED retrofit lamps and tubes for your project. Out with the old, in with the new!
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When critically acclaimed restaurateurs, Fabienne and Philippe Amzalak decided to open a high-end dining experience in Paris, they enlisted the help of design empresario Tom Dixon. The end result is a dramatically lit interior that references the 1970’s heritage of the building, yet uses the latest in LED lighting technology to create impact and drama. By using over 120 MEGAMAN® LED Classic 7W lamps, the scheme will also deliver a combined saving of €2,500 in electricity costs per year compared to traditional equivalents*.
Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio was commissioned to create a scheme that would make the most of the stark concrete interior of the restaurant. Éclectic is located in the Beaugrenelle Centre, a refurbished 1970’s shopping complex situated in the 15th Arrondissement, beside the Seine. The shopping centre is now home to many high-end brands and since its opening, the restaurant has become a focal point for midday shoppers and the business community alike.
Using the building’s 1970’s heritage as a basis for his design concept, Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio created a solution that celebrated the 1970’s love affair with all things geometric. The Tom Dixon Cell Pendant was chosen to light Éclectic, as its structure, constructed from layers of minutely etched brass with a hexagonal cross section, brings 1970’s sophistication into the 21st Century.
Clusters of the Tom Dixon Cell pendants have been hung from circular acoustic panels constructed by interiors lighting specialist Chelsom throughout the space. Located in the main dining room and private dining booths, they create a visual backdrop to the breathtaking 3.5 metre diameter chandelier that hangs in the centre of the restaurant. Containing 124 Tom Dixon Cell pendants, the central chandelier looks dramatic yet uses minimal energy, due to the incorporation of MEGAMAN®’s LED Classic 7W lamp.
Tom Dixon, Creative Director for Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio, comments: “Drawing inspiration from the 1970s architecture surrounding the restaurant, the design plays with colour, simple repeat modules and clean geometry. The design intends to soften the hard finishes of the contemporary building; warmth and comfort are the key drivers for the interior finishes, and the concrete is softened with brass, and the whole restaurant is furnished in abundance with custom-designed products. The MEGAMAN® LEDs add warmth and sophistication to the scheme.”
Éclectic is a testament to the power of combining quality design with elegant LED lighting. Thanks to the creativity of Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio and MEGAMAN®, energy efficiency and 1970’s urban chic have never looked so good!
* Based on calculation of: Operation hours: 12 hours per day, calculated based on 1 year period. Total number of light point: 124 pcs (124 x 7W MEGAMAN® LED Classic used instead of 40W incandescent lamps).
Visit www.novelenergylighting.com to discover the range of Megaman LED lamps and fittings available. We would be happy to work with you on project quotations. Contact us: 0208-540-8287, or drop us an email: sales@novelenergylighting.com
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Megaman are pleased to announce that they now offer serviceable LED solutions for a range of applications.
Across its LED product development in replacement lamps, modules*, light engines** or fixtures, MEGAMAN are pleased to announce that they are now able to offer user serviceable LED solutions. This decision has multiple benefits. Not only can MEGAMAN LED light sources be serviced and upgraded to the latest LED technology, but by using serviceable solutions, existing luminaires can be retained, minimising the environmental impact of progress. This approach overcomes some of the inflexibility previously experienced by end users, of completely integrated LED solutions.
MEGAMAN also recognizes that some basic light fixtures have such a low carbon footprint that engineering for replacing the LED may not always be viable and it can be greener to replace the whole fixture. MEGAMAN fixtures in this category are 100% recyclable with component parts that can easily be dismantled and separated. They are still designed with serviceability in mind so have commonly used fixings or sizes for easy replacement long into the future.
For MEGAMAN LED modules, light engines and fixtures it is recommended that the installation and servicing is performed by a qualified and competent expert.
The MEGAMAN LED product range offers the highest degree of design freedom for lighting designers, both in terms of addressing future advances in LED technology, as well as offering a wide range of colour and output choices.
* LED Module is a unit supplied as a light source. In addition to one or more LEDs it may contain further components, e.g. optical, mechanical, electrical and electronic components, but excluding the control gear.
** LED Light Engine is the combination of one electronic control gear, integrated or remote, and one or more LED modules.
For Megaman LED lighting solutions, please visit www.novelenergylighting.com, or call 0208-540-8287 to discuss your project needs.
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Megaman has extended the comprehensive Economy Lamp range of LED lamps that have been designed to offer the perfect alternative to their CFL counterparts, using only a fraction of the power with no sacrifice in performance, output and quality of illumination. The Economy 15,000 hour lamp range, represents unbeatable value and provides a myriad of options to cater for the requirements of most domestic and leisure installations.
This extended range introduces the new Gold Filament range of classic and globe shaped lamps that have been designed for use in decorative applications, including restaurants, bars and other hospitality areas. These visually striking lamps have been designed with a 2200K colour temperature to provide an extra warm illumination for mood lighting. All lamps in the Gold Filament range are 3W and dimmable available in Classic, 95mm Globe, 125mm Globe and ST58, providing endless design possibilities. The lamp life across the range is an impressive 15,000 hours with 210 lumens.
No lamp range would be complete without the popular Candle lamp and the Economy Range includes 3.5W and 5.5W opal, both with an even light distribution of 330º and the 5.5W opal 4000K that also provides a 330º distribution but differ in its cooler appearance. Megaman’s LED Candle lamps are infinitely suitable for use in chandeliers and decorative fittings plus a host of other applications.
The Classic lamps in the range are available in 5.5W, 11W, 9.5W and 9.5W in 4000K/6500K colour variants that produce a ‘daylight’ effect for crafting and art use. All Megaman Classic LED lamps have an intelligent heat sink design and an even light distribution of 330º. A 10.5W Classic Shatterproof has also been included in the range, featuring a polycarbonate cover that makes it suitable for use in areas where glass covered lamps are not an option.
To complete the range, Megaman has included Globe, Golf Ball, G4 and G9 lamps, plus a revolutionary new LED tube in 9.5W, 18W and 22W that is compatible with traditional magnetic ballasts, offering a real alternative to traditional T8 fluorescent lamps.
The Economy Lamp range from Megaman carries a 2 year warranty and are manufactured using the same expertise that has made the Megaman name synonymous with reliable, energy efficient lighting that uses the very latest technology.
Visit us today to explore the Megaman LED range: www.novelenergylighting.com, or call us for quotations: 0208-540-8287
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