Once within the budget of only the wealthiest homeowners, lighting control now is finding its way into the mainstream. While there are only about one million North American “luxury” homes valued at $1 million or more, there are seven to 10 million homes valued between $500,000 and $1 million, observes David Weinstein, vice president of residential sales for Coopersford, Pa.-based light control manufacturer Lutron Electronics. Weinstein calls this the “mid-market,” adding that “the revolution or evolution is in the mid-market.”

For many homeowners looking to add automated elements to their home, lighting control is a popular feature for not only the energy savings, but also for the security benefits controlled lighting offers. When a client approached CEDIA member VIA International with some specific ideas about lighting control, what followed was one energy-efficient home.

LEDs differ quite a bit from traditional incandescent lamps in that they lack a glass bulb or tungsten filament. Instead, an LED is comprised of a chemical chip embedded in a clear plastic capsule.

Lighting control systems do not have to be elaborate to have a positive impact, enabling integrators to start at the level with which they are comfortable. Simply suggesting the move from old bulbs to LEDs can cut a lot from lighting costs, and that exponentially grows as more energy efficacy is enabled with lighting controls, King says.