KBB - September 2009 - (Page 32)

Education Back to Basics Get the 411 on lighting controls It’s widely recognized that in today’s real estate market, fewer people are building new homes and starting major remodeling projects. Still, homeowners are looking for ways to create comfort and make better use of existing spaces. One strategy for accomplishing this goal is to make the space more versatile, especially if it’s a kitchen or bathroom. And an easy and affordable solution is to incorporate lighting controls, which not only expand a room’s versatility, but also enhance its ambiance and save energy, too. When developing a room design, it is important to consider all of the possible uses that the client might have for the space, as well as the products within it. Just as consumers would never purchase a stereo with only one volume level, or an oven with only one temperature setting, asking a homeowner to settle for just on/off control of their lights makes little sense when there’s a world of control options available. By taking the time to learn the benefits of lighting control (including dimmers, timers and occupancy sensors), such as increased flexibility, enhanced aesthetics, added convenience and energy savings, designers can offer their clients simple, cost-efficient solutions that both enhance their design and help the environment. Lighting controls have been available for residential applications since 1961, when the familiar rotary (round knob) dimmer hit the market. Since then, companies have been growing the category to include three basic types of lighting controls that are offered at multiple price points: full-featured single-light dimmers that dim a single light fixture (like a chandelier or table lamp); entire-room systems that operate multiple fixtures in a space using just one control panel; and total-home lighting control systems that control virtually every light source in a home from convenient remote keypads. Currently, there is some debate and confusion surrounding new lighting sources and bulb types. However, it’s important to note that lighting controls and dimmers can be used with almost all of them— from incandescent, halogen and fluorescent to LEDs and compact fluorescents designed specifically to be dimmed—and all light sources use less energy when dimmed. Lighting control products, like Lutron’s Maestro dimmer with a discrete occupancy sensor (left), can save a significant amount of energy. Window shades and drapes can also be controlled to reduce or maximize sun exposure (above). Lighting controls are changing the way people live and play by providing increased flexibility throughout a space. Whether a client is looking for easy solutions to upgrade a single room or they are in the process of building a residence from the ground up, the possibilities are endless. KITCHEN USES Take, for example, the heart of the home—the kitchen. Because the kitchen is used so frequently, it not only serves as a place to create great meals, but increasingly features great design. Lighting can be used to enhance the aesthetics of the space and make the room more comfortable and functional no matter the activity at hand. And adding a control system allows for both the brightness needed for tasks such as food preparation, as well as dimming for atmosphere. For food prep, homeowners often seek enhanced lighting over the sink, countertops and island. For entertaining, creating ambiance and elegance are important and can be achieved by varying the light levels to set the mood for meals with family and friends. Custom cabinetry and high-end appliances are easily accented with the perfect light setting, and properly adjusted undercabinet lighting can bring out the detail in beautiful countertops. Continued on page 34 + K BB September 2009 / www.kbbonline.com / The Official Sponsor of K/BIS www.kbis.com Jully2004 http://www.kbbonline.com http://www.kbis.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of KBB - September 2009

KBB - September 2009
Contents
Online Contents
Online News
Publisher's Note
Trends
Products
Profile
Design
Fine Balance
Something Old, Something New
Education
Editorial Index
Ad Index
Favorites

KBB - September 2009

https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/marapr_2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/janfeb_2024_KBISDirectory
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/janfeb_2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/novdec_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/septoct_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/julyaugust_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/mayjune_2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/kitchen-bath-business-march-april-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202301v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202201_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202110
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/kbb/202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202102_v2
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20200708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20200506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20200203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20191112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20190708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20190506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20190203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20180910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20180708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20180506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20180203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20170708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20170506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20170203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20161112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20160708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20160506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20160203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20151112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20150708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20150506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20150203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20141112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/20140506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/kbb/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20131112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201310
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20130506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20130102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20121112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20120506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20120102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20110506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20110102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20100102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20091112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_20090607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_200808
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com