Lighting Alliance To Expand Initiatives

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 12/3/2007

Warrenton, Va. — The year-old Home Lighting Control Alliance (HLCA) announced plans to launch the next phase of its initiative to raise consumer, homebuilder, architect and interior-designer awareness of lighting-control systems.

The alliance will post periodic white papers and case studies to its Web site as well as launching a monthly electronic newsletter, a spokesman said. The group’s Web site already features various lighting control products and solutions, provides access to members, and showcases applications and installations.

Since its founding, the alliance has expanded from 21 members to 28 lighting-control manufacturers, distributors and systems integrators as well as CEA. Current members include AHA Design, Automated Outlet, CEA, CentraLite Systems, Control4, Crestron, Echelon, EH Publishing, ETC, Exceptional Innovation, FulTech Solutions, HAI, Home Logic, Leviton, Lightolier Controls, LiteTouch, Low Voltage Systems, iLuxe Innovations, Pass & Seymour, RL Johnson Construction, S&S Electric, Somfy Systems, Square D, SST, Vantage Controls, WattStopper and Worthington Distribution.

“In a little more than a year, the alliance has made great strides in promoting lighting control as a mainstream technology for integrators, homebuilders and consumers,” claimed alliance chairman Gary Meshberg of Lightolier. The effort is modeled after promotional campaigns from such associations as Wiring America Homes and the Distributed Audio Alliance. Those efforts increased market penetration of structured wiring and multiroom audio, he said.

The alliance is focused on promoting wireless and hardwired systems as well as lighting-system integration with other home systems in a room or whole house.

For consumers, the alliance said it is focusing on promoting lighting control to increase comfort, convenience, security and resale value and to save energy through the use of dimmers, occupancy sensors, and scheduling. For homebuilders and architects, the HLCA promotes the ease of installation and operation as well as affordability to homebuyers. For distributors and the installation trade, the alliance has delivered straightforward, educational messaging about the category’s exceptional value and benefits, the group said.

Companies interested in joining should contact either Peter Hoagland at (540) 349-9648 peter@hoagland.us or Gary Meshberg at (214) 647-7927 gmeshberg@genlytecontrols.com.