More than 100 innovative residential energy-efficient lighting designs debuted in the fifth annual Lighting for Tomorrow competition in September. This year’s contest focused on new fixtures in two categories – solid state lighting (SSL) using light-emitting diodes (LED) and compact florescent lighting (CFL).

“The competition encourages fixture manufacturers to produce a range of new fixtures that will complement home décor, provide high quality light and save consumers money by using less electricity,” said Kelly Gordon, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Portland. “The ultimate goal is to increase the availability of energy-efficient residential lighting fixtures and increase the marketing, promotion and sales of these fixtures.”

Forty-five solid state lighting models and 33 models using CFLs competed. Sea Gull Lighting, from New Jersey, took the top prize among indoor CFL fixtures, while Savoy House, Braselton, Ga., took the grand prize in the outdoor CFL category. LED Lighting Fixtures, Inc., based in North Carolina, took grand prize in the SSL category with a can light replacement that fits standard recessed housings and comes with either a dedicated GU-24 pin base or a standard screw base.

Closer to home, Portland’s Eleek Inc. received honorable mention for sustainability for its Takashima indoor or outdoor CFL fixture. The custom made, high-end fixture is made of recycled aluminum finished to a pewter color.

“We wanted to bring awareness to the lighting community about using recycled products as well as developing energy efficient fixtures,” said Eric Kaster, Eleek owner. “Once you recycle metal you can work with it as easily as virgin materials and make something really beautiful.”

 Eleek products not use energy-efficient lamps, but its manufacturing processes are “green” as well. The company purchases 100% of its electricity from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program and buys 80% of the products it uses from vendors within 50 miles of its shop.

“There needs to be more awareness outside the lighting community by architects, designers and interior designers about the aesthetics of energy-efficient lighting. Lighting has come a long way and today’s efficient lighting is very attractive,” he said. “I’d also like to see LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design) credits be given for the material that makes up efficient lighting, as well as the lighting itself.”

Gordon said the competition has encouraged manufacturers to develop a new generation of residential fixtures that are attractive, energy efficient and appeal to homeowners.

“Designs are evaluated on their attractiveness, value, marketability, innovation and functionality,” she said. “We’ve seen many past winners pave the way for later designs and applications of energy efficiency that ultimately homeowners install.”

To download a catalog of this year’s lighting winners visit www.lightingfortomorrow.com.

Ed. note: NEEA has contributed to the Lighting for Tomorrow competition since its beginning in 2002. The event is organized by the American Lighting Association, the U.S. Department of Energy as represented by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Consortium for Energy Efficiency.