RedBird LED Lamps Selected by IES Progress Report

The 2012 IES Progress Report will be published in the January 2013 issue of the Illuminating Engineering Society's monthly magazine, Lighting Design + Application (LD+A). The Report will also be posted on the IES website and presented at IES section meetings throughout 2013. The Progress Report submittals are reviewed by the IES Progress Committee and experts from all aspects of the lighting industry to identify developments in the art and science of lighting throughout the world. In general, the judging criteria focus on scientific and technical advancements. Selected products must endure a rigorous judging process which evaluates products for uniqueness, level of innovation, significance to the lighting industry, and overall benefits to end users.

RedBird LED Tube Lights designed for Parking Garage LED lighting retrofits

RedBird LED, a leading manufacturer of LED Linear Replacement Lamps, or LED Tube Lights as they are commonly called was recognized by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Progress Committee as providing "a unique and significant advancement in the art and science of lighting" for their Cardinal LED Tube Light. Announced at the 2012 IES Annual Conference held in November, the product is featured in the 2012 IES Progress Report, which presents significant developments and improvements in the lighting industry over the past year.

Cardinal Linear LED Lights are also recognized by the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) as a product for retrofitting old lighting systems and are included in the DLC's Qualified Product List. For the end user this means that an 18 watt RedBird LED tube can replace a standard 32 watt fluorescent lamp. By comparison, most other LED tube lights would require 22 watts to achieve an equivalent replacement.

The Cardinal Linear Lights have a 50,000 hour rated lifetime, a five year warranty and are available in dimmable versions which are compatible with the standard 0-10 volt industrial dimming control signal.

For more information please visit their website at http://www.redbirdled.com.

RedBird LED Hires John Gilmore as Vice President of Sales

Redbird LED is pleased to announce that LED lighting industry veteran John Gilmore has joined their sales and management team as the new Vice President of Sales. Redbird LED is an Atlanta, GA. firm that specializes in the design, manufacturing and distribution of premium energy efficient LED Linear Replacement Lamp products. Previously, John Gilmore was leading the LED Lighting sales efforts for SEESMART LED. In his new role, John will spearhead the sales and marketing of RedBird LED Tube Lights to lighting distributors, major national corporations, state and federal agencies, retailers and institutional owners throughout the United States.

Jonathan Eppstein, President of Redbird LED said, "We are excited that one of the most successful sales professionals in the country of LED Tube Lights has joined RedBird LED. John's commitment to RedBird validates our belief that there is a large demand for premium quality- high performing LED Linear Replacement Lamp products. The recent certification by the DesignLights Consortium for both our 22 watt and 18 watt Cardinal Linear Replacement Lamp products, which prequalifies them for many energy rebate programs, was a key factor in John's decision to join our firm at this time. Culminating several years of development and testing, the Cardinal LED Linear Replacement Lamp has become first, second, and still the only LED tube light in the world to receive DLC Certification."

In his previous position with SEESMART, a leading LED lighting distributor, John was responsible for managing the lighting sales operations, marketing strategy development, introduction of new products and managing key client accounts. During his tenure , sales revenue increased 92% to $11.5 million in 2011. Over this same time period his personal sales volume exceeded $7 million, including two of the largest LED Tube lighting contracts, Pasadena City College and General Services Administration. His previous clients included; Department of Defense (Army, Navy, and Air Force), Homeland Security, Department of Justice (correctional facilities), Department of General Services (City of Los Angeles), airports, schools, universities, and various municipalities throughout the US.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be part of RedBird LED", says John Gilmore. "Jonathan is a brilliant engineer with a great vision. The fact that Redbird is exclusively focused on building the finest LED linear replacement lamps allows me to continue to build on my experience in marketing products in this category. Our plan is to leverage the Cardinal lamp's quality and DLC Certification to become the number one LED tube supplier in the world over the next year. Having the 18W tube on the DLC's qualified product list will allow us penetrate the massive fluorescent tube retrofit market, which has become a more immediate need with the recent obsolescence and subsequent unavailability of the older T12 style fluorescent tubes. Adding a rebate incentive to the basic energy savings, will allow the customer to see a complete payback in less than 1 year in many cases.

Over the past 5 years I have learned a tremendous amount about LED linear tubes. When I met with Jonathan and reviewed the RedBird LED technical data, the decision to make the move was very easy. It is truly the best LED tube in the world today!!"

About RedBird LED - Redbird LED is an Atlanta based designer and manufacturer of LED linear lights. Their company mission is to focus exclusively on providing quality LED linear light solutions to their customers. Redbird LED's core technology is in their premier linear LED light, designed and engineered specifically for retrofits of traditional fluorescent tube lights.

Parking Garage Lighting Retrofits - 18 watt LED Lamps from RedBird LED

RedBird LED Receives Second DesignLights Consortium Certification for LED Linear Replacement Lamps for their 18 watt Cardinal Linear Retrofit Product.

RedBird LED Inc.announced their second certification by the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) of their Cardinal™ LED Linear Retrofit products. The new DLC Certification covers the 18 watt models at both 4100K and 5000K CCTs.  The 18 watt linear replacement lamp is the most popular model used for one to one fluorescent lighting retrofits of standard 32 watt T8 or 40 watt T12 fluorescent lamps. When retrofitting with a Cardinal LED tube the user will expect to save as much as 55% on their energy consumption when compared to a standard 40 watt T12 model or 40% on a 32 watt T8.


When the 12,160 LED lighting products on the DLC Qualified Product List are sorted for efficacy as measured in lumens/watt, the RedBird LED products come in with four out of the top twelve slots at 3rd, 7th, 10th and 12th highest efficacy.

 Culminating several years of development and testing, the Cardinal™ LED Linear Replacement Lamp has become both the first, second, and still the only LED tube light in the world to receive DLC Certification. With the recent addition of two more of RedBird LED’s Linear Replacement Lamp products on the DLC Qualified Product List, it is noteworthy that they are all in the top 1% when it comes to efficacy. When the 12,160 LED lighting products on the DLC Qualified Product List are sorted for efficacy as measured in lumens/watt, the RedBird LED products come in with four out of the top twelve slots at 3rd, 7th, 10th and 12th highest efficacy.

JonathanEppstein, President of RedBird LED commented, “While we were ecstatic to have been the first, and only LED Linear Replacement Lamp to have qualified for DLC Certification with our 22 watt product in May, the DLC Certification for our 18 watt lamp is an even more exciting event. We expect the DLC Certification of the 18 watt Cardinal Lamp to dramatically increase the adoption and deployment of this breakthrough product.  Having both our 22 and 18 watt LED tubes on the DLC Qualified Product List solidifies our position as the market leader in this sector of the LED lighting industry.”

The DesignLights™ Consortium (DLC) is the premier resource for high- quality, energy efficient commercial lighting design and information. Members are utilities and energy-efficiency programs throughout the United States that offer financial incentives for solid-state lighting (SSL) fixtures. Members are interested in providing incentives for high-performing LED products which meet individual sponsor criteria. The DLC Qualified Product List is intended to ensure that only high-quality, high-performance, independently tested and verified LED products will be eligible for rebates from participating programs. 

Contact: info@redbirdled.com  678-RED-BIRD (678-733-2473).

Utility Companies Extend Energy Efficient Lighting Rebates

This week, the Department of Energy regulations that eliminate the manufacture of most T12 fluorescent lamps will take effect. The DOE wants to remove the energy inefficient T12 lamps from the commercial lighting market. Many companies, concerned about future supply and pricing of T12 lamps have pursued lighting retrofit projects to replace their existing lighting with more energy efficient T5 or T8 lamps.

Utility companies have encouraged these efforts by offering energy efficient lighting upgrade and replacement rebates.In many cases these rebates cover 50% of the installation costs for the lighting retrofit. These energy rebates allowed companies to replace their T12 lamps with their quality LED replacement lamps.

Utility companies have recently announced that they will be extending these rebates to allow more companies to retrofit their T12 lighting. One utility company that extended their rebate time period is DTE Energy in Michigan. DTE is offering special cash incentives to business owners who invest in new energy efficient lighting technologies through July 31, 2012, as part of the company's Energy Efficiency Program for Business. The financial incentives are available to businesses that convert older model, T12 fluorescent lights to high performance or low wattage-high performance T8 lamps and electronic ballasts. In California, Northern California utility companies will continue to offer energy saving rebates/incentives for these T12 to T8, T5 or LED upgrades through December 2012.

"We realize this legislation could significantly affect many of our business customers," said Bill Clemens, manager of energy efficiency program for DTE Energy. "We want to help our customers cover a portion of the investment needed to upgrade to the latest energy efficient technology. By retrofitting their outdated lights now, businesses can not only take advantage of the incentives that will likely be discontinued, but they will also avoid increased costs of replacing those lights in the future."

The Energy Efficiency Program for Business (dteenergy.com/saveenergy) was launched in 2009 to help DTE Energy customers save money by using less energy. The program offers customers a wide array of energy efficiency ideas and incentives. Customers can earn incentives if they make improvements from a list of qualified efficiency upgrades for both gas and electric technologies, including energy-efficient lighting, drives, controls, heating ventilation and air conditioning and more. For more information, please visit the program website at www.dteenergy.com/saveenergy , or call 866-796-0512, Option 3.

RedBird LED is an Atlanta-based manufacturer and designer of high quality LED linear replacement lamps. Their products have been used in national grocery, convenience stores, major hotel chains and corporate facilities throughout the country. To learn more about retrofitting your facility lighting and available energy rebate programs please visit the RedBird LED website.

Energy Efficient Parking Garage Lighting Retrofits

Parking Garage Energy Efficient Lighting Retrofits Need Planning and Team Involvement

Energy efficient lighting retrofit projects have proven to be one of the simplest and direct ways to not only reduce lighting and maintenance costs but also reduce a corporation’ carbon footprint. This week is the deadline the DOE has set for the end of production of energy inefficient T12 lamps. This is just one more reason to pursue an energy efficient lightingretrofit program for your facilities. Most companies report saving between 35-60% of their annual lighting costs after retrofitting their lighting with LED linear replacement lamps.

Buildings Magazine recently reported on the energy saving benefits from a lighting retrofit program and 17 mistakes to avoid. Our thanks to author David Laybourn with Lime Energy. This was a helpful guide to some mistakes companies have made in past projects. This is a good learning opportunity even for experienced facility managers and engineers.

Choosing the wrong team- Make sure you select a vendor partner with experience and the ability to help you reach your energy saving goals.

Conflicting Chain of Command- Important to have a project manager that provides direction to the entire team who has budget and negotiating ability.

Neglecting Frontline People- Involve the end-users of the space from the beginning to get their buy-in and insure that they will be happy with finished project.

Calling in Experts Too Late- Involve all needed expertise at the start of the project rather than in the middle or after the project is done.

Underestimating the Importance of a Lighting Audit- The lighting audit provides the foundation for the entire project and integrates the financial goals with appropriate selection of lighting approaches and equipment.

Using the Wrong Approach- Use a system based approach rather than a single manufacturer approach. Energy savings are only maximized when all energy systems work together

Buying Based on price- “Energy-saving retrofit projects bought on price alone are usually a false economy. The few pennies saved upfront can cost thousands in lost savings, increased maintenance costs, and losses in worker productivity. Since the energy savings are paying for the project, why not choose higher quality and avoid risky situations, even if it means adding a few months to the payback?”

To read the full article please visit Buildings Magazinewebsite.

One area not addressed in the article is one of the major obstacles to launching an energy efficient lighting program -the upfront cost. Many utilities offer energy rebates for  upgrading lighting to LED lamps or other more energy efficient technology. Many times these rebate program cans pay for up to 50% of the installation cost.

Recently RedBird LED announced that their four foot Cardinal Linear Replacement LED Lamps were certified by the DesignLights Consortium. These products are the only four foot LED lamps that would qualify for energy rebates  from DLC Utility Company member firms. For more information on these products please visit their website.

Brookshire Brothers Using LED Lighting in Lighting Retrofit Programs

Environmental Leader reports that grocery store chain Brookshire Brothers is undergoing an energy efficient lighting retrofit in all of their seventy two stores. Brookshire Brothers, based in Texas operates retail supermarkets in predominantly rural markets and the outskirts of the Houston Metro area. The Brookshire Brothers stores occupy 30,000 square feet and are lit by 450 four lamp fixtures.

It is estimated that the lighting retrofit, when complete, will save Brookshire Brothers $235,000 annually. They will save an average of $3,200 per store by upgrading from 32 watt linear fluorescent lamps to more energy efficient 28 watt T8 Tube lights. "When we looked at options to impact our total energy costs, we identified several areas at different stores where new lighting, including LED fixtures, made a compelling case, both indoors and out," said Eric Johnson, director of construction for Brookshire Brothers. "The store directors have all been impressed," Johnson said. "The parking lots shine, the signage is crisper and the colors of the products show much better. There have only been very positive comments. I feel we've found our standard for lighting moving forward.

"In each case where new LED lighting was specified, it was easy to support that decision financially through decreased energy consumption, reduced maintenance, increased dependability and extended lamp life.

Brookshire Brothers also will retrofit their lighting infive parking garages. They decided to use LED lighting to maximize energy and maintenance savings. Environmental Leader reports that Brookshire Brothers will save more than $14,000 annually in electricity and maintenance costs  from their parking garage lighting retrofit.

To read more about this project-http://www.environmentalleader.com/2012/06/28/brookshire-brothers-taps-ge-for-lighting-in-72-supermarkets/

To learn more about LED Linear replacement lamps and energy savings from lighting retrofits please visit our website- www.redbirdled.com

Marriott Hotels Uses LED Lighting in Parking Garage Retrofit

Marriott chose high-efficiency LED lighting to replace traditional 400- to 1,000-watt high-intensity discharge lighting for their headquarters parking garage spaces. This choice also was consistent with their corporate commitment to sustainability.  Marriott has 13 hotels across all of their brands that are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), including the headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland. 

LED lighting played a major role in the recent energyefficient lighting retrofit at Marriott hotel headquarters location in Bethesda, Maryland. They retrofitted not only their corporate offices but also two million square feet of parking and garage space. Marriott said security for employees and guests and energy savings were top priorities when considering new lighting to cover the nearly 45 acres of parking and garage space.

 LED lighting typically provides energy savings between 35-70% and their long life expectancy reduces maintenance costs. Marriott estimated their annual savings for the lighting project would be $104,000 per year with an additional maintenance savings of $210,000 over the next 10 years.  As if these savings were not significant enough, the hotel chain also received more than $130,000 in utility rebates and EPACT savings. The cost for the lighting replacement will be paid for in less than two years.  Energy rebates are very important factors in helping companies reduce a substantial portion of the upfront costs of lighting upgrades or retrofits.

 “We preferred the exceptional output and uniformity of GE ‘s LED lighting,” says Jim Young, vice president, corporate facilities for Marriott International, Inc.  “GE performed a comprehensive lighting audit of our existing system, provided photometric analysis with 3D renderings of the new system, and forecasted our energy and maintenance savings. GE excelled as both a trusted strategic consultant and solutions provider.”

For more information on parking garage lighting retrofits and technical information on LED linear lamps please visit the RedBird LED website.