May 26 2005
Housing prices are at a twenty-year high and still the market is more saturated with buyers than ever. Cities are overcrowded and the suburbs are getting urbanized. But, there's a new glimmer of light piecing the real-estate market that means good news for new homeowners and builders alike: LED lighting.
Light Waves Concept, Inc., a Manhattan-based manufacturer of LED fixtures, is one company on the forefront of architectural LED lighting technology. Their new line of Geo Lamp fixtures are specifically designed for builders. Fourteen different recessed lamps are available with anywhere from 12 to 60 LEDs (more LEDs = more light) and can be used indoors, outdoors and underwater.
Available in low and high voltage, as well as a range of different shapes and sizes, Geo Lamps are on the cusp of LED technology.
"Geo Lamps were designed with replacing incandescent accent lighting in the home specifically in mind," explained Chief Lighting Consultant for Light Waves, Joel Slavis. "That, coupled with their extreme durability and energy savings, are what's driving the contractors."
Kitchen cabinets, halls, closets, Jacuzzis and swimming pools are just some of the places Geo Lamps are made to accent.
Although the lamps are initially more expensive than incandescent and fluorescents, they pay for themselves in the first two years, turning a profit over the next eight or so.
LED lights are made of semiconductors, rather than filaments. Although they've been used for backlighting in watches and cell phones for years, only recently have they become viable in wider arenas. Light shows all over the world are featuring LEDs as the new stars of the commercial lighting world and the industry itself has roughly doubled every year in the last five. They use 90% less energy, put out almost no heat, last approximately 20 times longer and are made of plastic, unlike incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs.
Geo Lamps can be found online at www.lightwavesconcept.com.