LED Waves Blog

Plug & Play LED Lights

Posted on May 15, 2012 by LED Waves

Joining the LED Revolution doesn’t need to be difficult. At LED Waves, we try to make it easy by offering direct retrofit replacements for existing light sources. And where there is no light in place, all you need is an electrical outlet for these plug & play LED lamps!

Make your outlets smile!

The LED Linear Down Light is similar to a fluorescent tube in terms of light output and “throw” but it sets itself apart with low energy consumption, no mercury in fragile glass, and a much longer lifespan. Available in 22”, 33 ¾” and 45 5/8” units; in Warm, Neutral or Cool white, each LED Linear Down Light comes with everything you need for simple installation on a wall or ceiling. Up to eight can be used in parallel off of one outlet.

Need outdoor lighting? Our LED Wall Washers are a great low energy/high impact solution. The Model E is especially versatile, as it comes in 4 different sizes (17.3”, 22.8”, 33” and 44”) and 3 beam angles (15°, 30°, 45°) each DMX-ready with RGB LEDs. Landscape lighting has never been easier – or better looking.

Give us a call at 1(800) 986-0169 with any questions about custom project, special pricing, and technical specs. The decision to adopt any new technology isn’t always an easy one. So once you want to take your lights to the next level, our team is always happy to take it from there!

Posted in directional LEDs, energy savings, fluorescent replacement, LED wall washer, Outdoor LED Lights, sustainable living, Waterproof LED Light | Leave a comment

Snails on the Trail to Renewable Energy

Posted on May 11, 2012 by LED Waves

LED lighting technology seems to move at, well, light speed, which makes for a funny juxtaposition with an unlikely new energy source: snails! The Huffington Post reported on recent advancements in creepy crawly-based power. In April researchers at Clarkson University implanted a microbial fuel cell in a snail. The glucose produced by the snail’s metabolic processes feeds the fuel cell, creating renewable energy – apparently without hurting the little guy!

Microbial fuel cell technology has been explored for low-energy purposes like military recon and environmental monitoring over the past few years, on a variety of small creatures. And pop scientist designers have taken note. London-based James Auger and Jimmy Loizeau teamed up with Dr. Alex Zivanovic of Bristol Robotics and Ecobot II technology to create Carnivorous Domestic Entertainment Robots – a provocatively, yet accurately, titled collection of five furniture pieces.

The Lampshade Robot features an LED light that is programmed to emit UV rays that attract insects. The bugs fly into the round lamp body, get trapped, and break down in the microbial fuel cell which powers the LED light that attracts more bugs and so on and so forth. It’s sort of a circle of life… in a circle of light.

Check out these robots in action in this video.

Posted in Brooklyn, customized LED, LEDs in the arts, Science! | Leave a comment

Our LED High Bay Debuts at LIGHTFAIR

Posted on May 9, 2012 by LED Waves

LED Waves is in Vegas today through Friday for LIGHTFAIR International! You can find us at booth 1412. We’ve presented at this show for many years, but we’re more excited than ever because this time we’re showing off the newest LED light off of our American production line – and, boy, is it a stunner.

Shazam!

The Andromeda is a 155 Watt LED replacement for metal halide and sodium high bays, which typically run over 400 Watts. And the efficiency doesn’t stop there – since LEDs are directional, all their light hits the target area rather than getting wasted within the fixture or on the ceiling. The Andromeda optimizes one of the best features of LED technology, simply by putting light where people are.

An lamp of this significance demands only the best components, which is why our engineers chose Cree’s XM-L chip. It’s the industry’s most efficient LED at very high drive currents, and it’s available with two types of optics: the Bubble optic – which produces a round distribution of light (ideal for open spaces), and the Ledil optic – which distributes light in an oval shape (ideal for tighter spaces).

To keep these LEDs cool and prolong the lifespan of the Andromeda, we created the highest quality heat sink on the market. It’s fully machined from 6063 aluminum, which distributes heat better than the silicon-injected aluminum models in other high bays.

We can go on and on about our LED high bay, but you really have to see it to appreciate this game changing product. Check it out at LFI booth 1412 – or if you’re not at the show, call our sales team at 1(800)986-0169 to arrange a viewing. We’re so excited to shine this light on you!

Posted in CREE LEDs, directional LEDs, energy savings, Green Buildings, LED downlight, LED High Bay, LED lifespan, LED Lights Made in the USA, LED Lustre, NEW products, trade show | Leave a comment

Our Two Foot LED T8 Tube Light is Here

Posted on May 7, 2012 by LED Waves

We’re proud to present the 2 foot long Genesys 2.0 LED T8 Tube Light, a fluorescent replacement engineered and built in the USA. This plug-and-play retrofit is a highly anticipated addition to our line of 4 foot lamps. Longer lasting and more durable than a fluorescent tube, the 2’ Genesys LED T8 is a great low maintenance lighting solution for facility managers and homeowners alike.

Our entire Genesys T8 line is built with Cree MX-6 LEDs. These chips were specified based on superior color rendering, uniform light distribution, and all-around dependability. Proven strong in thermal shock and corrosion tests, the MX-6 was the clear choice for our fluorescent replacements since you see these lights in such a wide range of environments.

We stock LED T8s in warm (~3000K) and neutral (~4000K) white. Cool white (~5000K) is available by special order. Wired for 100-277 universal line voltage, these 2 and 4 foot tubes are easy replacements for lighting systems in the home or workplace. Installation requires simply bypassing or removing the fluorescent ballast.

Like all our products made in the USA, the 2’ Genesys is covered by a 5 year warranty. So if you’d like to try it out or you have any questions, call us at 1(800)986-0169. We’re so excited to share this quality product with businesses and homeowners worldwide!

Posted in Brooklyn, CREE LEDs, energy savings, fluorescent replacement, Green Buildings, LED Lights Made in the USA, LED Lustre, LED T8 tube, NEW products, sustainable living | Leave a comment

LED Bollard Lights in the UK: the New Pokemon?

Posted on May 2, 2012 by LED Waves

With any new technology often comes some degree of mistrust or downright fear-mongering, and LED lighting is no exception. The latest such story comes to us from Worcestershire, UK, where a local engineer and “former” scientist Mike Arnold is begging the community to please think of the children.

image via WorcesterNews

Arnold has taken issue with the LED lights in the bollards lining the Severn river. He submitted complaints to the Worcestershire City Council and the Health Protection Agency, claiming that the lights could potentially cause damage to eyesight for children, whose eyes are more sensitive than those of adults.

The council looked into the matter and ruled that the lights, which were installed last year, met British Standards and EU Codes of safety. Their lab reports did reveal a slight risk, posed if a young child (in a wheelchair?) were to stare into the light for a sustained period over 100 seconds, at a distance under 8 inches away.

Still, the council is acquiescing to Arnold’s claim that if it can happen, it will happen. A council member stated, “Despite the extremely low risk levels and unlikelihood of such an occurrence, we’re looking into whether alterations might be possible to reduce this low risk even further.” The HPA suggested adding a lens to the bollards to diffuse the LED lights.

It doesn’t take a former scientist to figure that kids would generally [Yu-Gi-Oh / Pokemon / Hunger Games?] or something rather than stay still and look into a light for 100 seconds – and that children should probably be supervised along the riverfront anyway – and it’s good to see that the Worcester News commenters feel the same way. Stay tuned for the next global attempt of LED fear-mongering!

Posted in LED Street Lights, LEDs in the news, Outdoor LED Lights | Leave a comment

Goodbye, Earth Month. Hello, LED Lights!

Posted on April 30, 2012 by LED Waves

As we bid goodbye to Earth Month 2012 we also say goodbye to our offer for free shipping on LED lighting orders over $150. (FedEx Ground, Continental US; Use promotional code EARTH2012.) We plan to roll out another offer like this soon, but this month we were especially happy to help everyday folks bring energy upgrades into their homes.

Here are just a few creative ways that our customers installed cable and track lighting in their homes.

Cast in point: In the past few weeks we’ve sold an unprecedented number of LED track and cable lighting kits and LED recessed lights – all of which are great, energy-saving investments which need little maintenance once installed because LED lifespans average over 30,000 hours. What a great way to make Earth Month last all year.

To take advantage of our free shipping offer, just get your online orders in by midnight tonight. Our sales team is also standing by until 5:30 EST if you need quantity pricing or customizations. Call 1(800)986-0169. Thanks for observing Earth Month with us!

Posted in directional LEDs, Earth Month, energy savings, LED cable lighting, LED lifespan, LED track lighting, special offer, sustainable living | Leave a comment

Big Green Theater Returns!

Posted on April 27, 2012 by LED Waves

LED Waves is pleased to announce round 2 of Big Green Theater, happening this weekend! BGT is an annual community based program that brings the youth of Bushwick, Brooklyn, directly in touch with the professional world of theater. We donated some LED lights to this cause for the 2011 debut & we’re excited to see them in use the following year!

From the Big Green Theater site:

From January-April every year, The Bushwick Starr theater works with a group of 5th grade students after school, teaching them a combination of playwriting and environmental education, and helping them create a series of short, environmentally themed plays. These plays are then performed by an ensemble of professional actors, directors, and designers at our theater in Brooklyn, using only green theater methods (recycled materials for sets and costumes, fluorescent and LED lighting, paperless programming and ticketing, etc.).

The Bushwick Starr theater is committed to supporting community environmental awareness, as well as creative after-school arts programs.

If you’re in the area, trust us: it’s well worth the quick ride on the L train. It’s really cute and sweet. Find out more about BGT and drop an RSVP on the event’s Facebook page.

Don’t forget, this is the last weekend of LED Waves’ offer for Free Shipping for orders over $150! See site for details and restrictions. How quickly did this Earth Month go by? Yeesh!

Posted in Brooklyn, Earth Month, energy savings, LED Lights in NYC, LEDs in the arts, special offer, sustainable living | Leave a comment

LED Lights for the Administrative Professionals in Your Life!

Posted on April 25, 2012 by LED Waves

It’s National Administrative Professionals Day, so today we’re focusing on how LED lamps can improve the quality of light – and life – in the workplace. It’s our way of thanking the hardworking folks who help keep our businesses running smoothly.

Most offices have fluorescent lights, which have many drawbacks. They’re the bane of the facilities manager’s existence – with their fragile glass containing trace amounts of mercury, and their tendency to fail prematurely due to their finicky ballasts. And who enjoys the deathly pallor these lights cast upon our workforce? Or that annoying flicker that gets less and less subtle as the lamp reaches the end of its useful life?

It is with these concerns in mind that LED Waves – and LED Lustre, our engineering arm – is revolutionizing lighting in the workplace. We make LED lamps that are not only more environmentally friendly than fluorescent or any other lighting technology, but that also deliver superior, daylike illumination.

Case in point: The Genesys LED T8 Tube Light, Made in America with Cree MX-6 LEDs

The importance of daylight – characterized by high color rendering, and high Kelvin temperatures – dates back to our early hunter gatherer days. Since humans could only work under limited hours of sun, we adapted to work under this quality of light. It’s what our eyes now crave for peak productivity. (Hey college students, feel free to use that line to convince your professor to have class outside today.) It makes us feel awake, alert, and generally happier. Don’t the administrative professionals in your life deserve that much?

Shop at LEDWaves.com for free shipping on orders over $150 for the rest of Earth Month! Restrictions apply; see site for details.

Posted in CREE LEDs, Durable LED Lights, Earth Month, fluorescent replacement, Green Buildings, Green Companies, LED Lighting, LED Lights Made in the USA, LED Lustre, LED T8 tube, Science!, special offer | Leave a comment

Earth Month: Putting the G in RGB LED Lights

Posted on April 23, 2012 by LED Waves

April is Earth Month, and while that means it’s officially only 30 days long, RGB LED lights can help you go green – not to mention many more colors – year after year!

Our Times Square Cuttable RGB LED Lights puts a wide spectrum of lighting capabilities in your hands, even if you’re new to this technology. Cutting and soldering points are clearly marked along unit (every 3 diodes) and each responds to the RGB LED Remote Controller II.

The Times Square line is available as a rigid RGB LED Light Bar, or as a Waterproof Flexible RGB LED Strip (pictured above).

Our DMX-ready RGB LED Wall Washers are capable of throwing extremely bright, dynamic color-changing light onto large, open spaces – all while using surprisingly little electricity. At 25 Watts, the Model F is our most energy-sipping example available. Its compact form (less than 7 inches across) casts impressive light whether it’s in DMX or standalone mode.

The Model F and all our other DMX RGB Wall Washers are also eligible for our Earth Month Free Shipping promotion! Visit our online store for the coupon code and details.

Here’s to living green – and saving green – year-round!

Posted in customized LED, Dimmable LED lights, Earth Month, energy savings, Flexible LED Light Strip, LED light bar, LED wall washer, RGB LED, special offer, Waterproof LED Light | Leave a comment

LEDs Revolutionize Lighting From the Ground Up

Posted on April 19, 2012 by LED Waves

We’re currently offering Free Shipping if you order $150+ worth of LED lights! See our online store for details and the promo code. Happy Earth Month.

The NYT Green Blog recently cited a RAND Corporation report on how digital subscriptions curb carbon emissions for newspaper readers. The report, commissioned by the DOE, sought out to address the way people create solutions to our energy problems.

What stands in the way of the most effective energy improvements is the backwards approach that some innovators take: They focus too narrowly on improving existing technologies, rather than rethinking technologies and habits from the ground up. Much as digital subscriptions are transforming newspaper reading habits while reducing about 150lbs of greenhouse gases a year as a side benefit (and, as pointed out in the comment section, vice versa), LED lights are changing the way we illuminate spaces, while saving energy and employing a completely different technology from the traditional incandescent bulb.
A simple analog lies in the halogen bulb. Like Edison’s original design, halogen bulbs are filament-based. A tungsten filament is encapsulated in a small amount of halogen gas (usually iodine or bromine), which cycles around and redeposits tungsten onto the filament (rather than onto the outer glass bulb). This increases the clarity of the light, and prolongs the lifespan. The result is a slightly more efficient, longer-lasting incandescent bulb.

While the halogen was a great improvement on the incandescent bulb, it doesn’t offer the most lumens per Watt because it’s still using electricity to heat up a coil. Light Emitting Diodes are solid-state, which means they do not operate on filaments and gas. A current running through an LED causes the material to naturally emit light; therefore an LED bulb gives us the most direct, efficient use of energy transmitted as illumination.

Solid state technology also flips lighting standards with 30,000+ hour lifespans which were previously unimaginable, and with more visual effects capable through digital LED controllers. So during this Earth Month we tip our hats to Nick Holonyak, the “father” of the first LED for practical lighting applications, and to all energy innovators who make waves by thinking not backwards, but from the ground up.