A company called Digital Lumens has introduced product that networks LED lights together to form an “intelligent” lighting system. The system can turn on lights if people are present in a room, and adjust brightness levels over the course of a day. Overall, the system can cut lighting costs by 90% for commercial sites like warehouses. A real world example is the installation at Interstate Warehousing, which reports that they are now savings of more than $30,000 per year to operate the new section of the warehouse, and around 771,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) have been reduced annually. Each light engine in a Digital Lumens system contains three independently LED light bars, onboard controls, occupancy sensor, and a wireless antenna.

The system also collects performance data – how much energy each luminaire has used, run time hours, occupancy rates – and shares that in web-based reports on energy use.

Before and After The Installation Of Digital Lumens LEDs

The Highbay version produces spotlight effects for storage racks. The Midbay version produces dispersed light for open environments and is available in two color temperatures. Both versions are intended to replace 400W HID, HPS, and T5 or T8 fluorescent lighting.

Currently, the Digital Lumens system is aimed at commercial sites only. The company claims the system will realize cost savings within as little as two years.

Link: Digital Lumens

LED Lamps With Warm White Illumination:

• Koncept Z-Bar ($165) and i-Tower ($195)
• Pablo Designs LIM L Floor ($350)
• Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern ($25)

The color temperature of light is measured in degrees Kelvin. Lower-temperature white LEDs (around 2,000-4,000 K) are warm (yellowish white) like incandescent bulbs. White LEDs with higher color temperatures (above 5,000 K) are cool (blueish white). Whether warm or cool light is desirable is a matter of preference, but many people find warmer tints of white easier on the eyes and more relaxing.

Engineers are able to finely tune the color temperature of LEDs, so LEDs that closely resemble the warm color of incandescent bulbs are widely available. The character of the light isn’t exactly the same—LEDs appear more direct and pure—but LEDs cost less to operate, last longer, and run cooler than traditional bulbs. Remember also, that you can now also purchase warm LED bulbs that replace standard incandescent bulbs.

If you haven’t tried warm white LED light, check out the products below. We’ve found a handful of warm white LED lamps of different shapes and sizes. All of our picks are a great way to explore this energy-efficient, highly-useful technology:

Koncept Z-Bar

Koncept Z-Bar ($165) and i-Tower ($195)

Koncept manufactures a line of LED floor and desk lamps with highly-rated performance and elegant designs. The Z-Bar is a desk lamp housing six warm white (3,200-3,700 K) LEDs with four-step dimming. It casts an even, oval-shaped light pattern that can be directed with great flexibility thanks to this lamp’s three-joint construction. Each section pivots independently, permitting a maximum reach of over 40 inches. The Z-Bar can be mounted on its included 9”-diameter stand or clamped onto the edge of a desk or table. Its aluminum and plastic body is well-built and contemporary. Amazon reviewers give Z-Bars mostly four- and five-star reviews, praising the space-maximizing design and light quality. There are a few complaints about the price and the level of brightness (too low for some). Other comments we found in forums and on blogs are overwhelming positive, with authors such as Landis Carey of Re-Nest stating, “…after using the light on a daily basis over the past (almost) three years, the lamp has been tested, stressed and has proven to be long-lasting and durable.”

Koncept i-Tower

The i-Tower, one of Koncept’s floor-standing lamps, receives similar praise. Amazon customers rate it 4½ out of 5 stars, as do over 15 reviewers on LightingUniverse.com. And over 75 people weigh in on YLighting, where the i-Tower averages 5 of 5 stars. Much of the approbation given to the Z-Bar is given to the i-Tower: elegant design, wonderful light color, and a super-flexible adjustment system. The i-Tower employs the same six-LED design as the Z-Bar, with four-step dimming, aluminum and plastic construction, and oval light pattern. The i-Tower stands on a 9”-diameter base and its vertical arm extends 43.25”. The head will adjust anywhere from three to five feet above the floor. Both the i-Tower and Z-Bar are rated at 9.5 watts and 40,000 hours of operation before dimming to 70% of original brightness. Each carries a one-year warranty.

On Amazon, you’ll find the Koncept Z-Bar ($165) in black, silver, red, and white, as well as the i-Tower ($195) in black and silver.

Pablo Designs LIM L Floor

Pablo Designs LIM L Floor ($350)

The LIM L Floor by Pablo Designs has a slim profile and a 3,300 K LED light array. Its aluminum body and light arm connect via a magnetic attachment system. This system allows for precise adjustments as well as the option of adding another light arm for increased illumination. Each attached arm moves vertically between 42 and 51 inches above the floor. The LIM L Floor has an on/off switch and two selectable levels of brightness. It won 2009 Best of Neocon Silver and an iF 2010 Product Design Award. Customers on YLighting give the LIM L Floor 4½ out of 5 stars, and two LightingUniverse.com customers give it an average of 5 stars. The strong points of this floor lamp are its sleek design and diffuse, warm light pattern. Its main drawback is its high cost. Pablo Designs also offers the LIM L Table ($300) for tabletop placement, as well as the LIM C Undersurface ($250), which mounts under a table to clear working space.

The LIM L Floor ($350) is available in black, white, and brushed silver through Amazon. The LIM L Table ($300) is for sale in black, white, brushed silver, and polished silver. The LIM C Undersurface ($250) is available in white and brushed silver.

Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern

Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern ($25)

The Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern has over 20 customer reviews on Amazon, averaging 4½ out of 5 stars. There is also a lively discussion on CandlePowerForums (Favourlight Mini Lantern Disambiguation Guide) that points out the many positive attributes of this little lamp, which is sold under several different names by several different merchants. At the core of this lantern is a high-quality Cree XLamp XR-E warm white LED. This is a top-notch diode that exhibits high brightness (up to 110 lumens), high efficiency, and long lifespan. It is packaged within a compact (5″ H x 2″ W x 2.5″ D) and durable aluminum body with rubber end caps. It weighs just over seven ounces with the included three AA batteries. It is rated to run up to 24 hours in High output mode, 48 hours in Low mode, and 55 hours in Flash mode. Remove the top cap for flashlight functionality. This lantern comes with a carabiner.

You’ll find the Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern for sale on Amazon.

Review: The Best LED Reading Lamps

Nighttime can be prime reading time, and a small reading light is invaluable in a darkened room, or to avoid disturbing a roommate or spouse. The small size and directional light output of LEDs make them ideal for personal reading lights. Here are four of the best LED reading lamps, perfect for the bedroom, dorm rooms, or your favorite reading chair. All can be mounted on a table or bedframe – no more unclipping a book light at the turn of every page.

Fulcrum MultiFlex LED Light

Fulcrum MultiFlex LED Light

Note from Editor: I’ve been testing this light for a few months now, and I’m pleased with it. It is lightweight, so it clips to a book easily, and the flexible neck stays in place quite well. The reviewers on Amazon agree: 4.5 / 5 stars from 143 buyers.

The Fulcrum MultiFlex provides a clear, even beam of light for reading or illuminating close up tasks. It features an attachment clip, and the base can also support the 11” adjustable neck when sitting on a flat surface. Power comes from three AAA batteries, making the Fulcrum MultiFlex a good choice for travel as well as household use. The lamp is available in either silver or red.

The Fulcrum MultiFlex LED Light is available at Amazon for $10.99.

LightWedge USB Flex Neck Reading Light

LightWedge USB Flex Neck Reading Light

This lamp features dual LEDs powered by a pair of CR2032 batteries in the base of the lamp. And it does double duty too: the clip-on base is removable, revealing a USB plug that can be inserted into your laptop to power the lamp as a workstation light. The adjustable neck is 10” long, and the lamp provides approximately 30 hours of light under battery power. The head of the lamp can also be inserted into the clip for travel.

You can find the LightWedge USB Reading Light at Amazon for $19.99.

Luckytown LED Clip Lamp

Luckytown LED Clip Lamp

The adjustable 18” neck on this LED clip lamp allows the user to position the light beam exactly where it’s needed. The modern-style, rounded metal shade prevents light spillage throughout the room, and the shade stays cool unlike with an incandescent or halogen bulb. A metal spring clamp attaches the plug-in lamp securely to a bed or table.

The Luckytown LED Clip Lamp is available for $24.99 at Amazon.

Alliance Optotek Night Reader LED Lamp

Alliance Optotek Night Reader LED Lamp

The Night Reader is the Ferrari of LED reading lamps. Three single-watt Nichia LEDs produce 100 lumens of light, making the Night Reader perfect for task lighting as well as reading, and the lamp is available in both bright “daylight white” and softer “warm white” versions. A 16” flexible neck offers a bit of extra length for adjustability, and the lamp can be wall-mounted or attached with its rubber-lined metal spring clamp. A rocker on/off switch is mounted on the 6’ cord, and a built-in voltage adapter gives the Night Reader an operating range of 90-240vac.

The Alliance Optotek Night Reader LED Lamp is available at TheLEDLight.com for $56.55.

Last year, Philips showed off their LivingColor lamps at a media event. Each compact light can illuminate 16 million unique colors, all of which can be controlled via an included wireless RF remote. You can set any remote to control up to six fixtures simultaneously, keeping their colors in synchronization for a dramatic effect. Since it uses some seriously bright LEDs, Philips designed a special heat sink into the lamp that looks more like a work of art than a technical necessity.

Available from Amazon.

The Best LED Desk Lamps

Update: We’ve posted a new review of the best LED Desk Lamps for 2009.

LEDs really shine as reading lights and desk lamps. LEDs have a directed beam, so they do not disturb others when used as reading lights (in bed for example). LEDs also do not get hot to the touch, so there’s no risk of burns, or excess heat in the summer. Because LED light is so focused, even a 100 lumen LED desk lamp will seem quite bright when it’s used as a task light.

Here’s a survey of the best LED desk lamps available:

Z-Bar LED Desk Lamp by Koncept

The minimalist Z-Bar LED Desk Lamp by Koncept has 66 LEDs that shine using only 8.8 watts of power. The newly released “high power” version of this lamp generates 240 lumens of light.

This is currently my favorite lamp. The design was good enough to help it win an I.D. Magazine “best of category” award. It comes in three colors, and is available from Amazon for about $160.

There’s also a 40 LED version of the Z-Bar lamp– the Mini-Z LED Desk Lamp, but apparently it is not bright enough to make most buyers happy.

Night Reader LED Lamp

The Night Reader lamp comes in two versions: a “warm white” version and a “daylight” version. It uses only 4 watts and outputs 100 lumens of light. It’s available from The LED Light for about $60.

Libra Desk Lamp

Another new release from Alliance Optotek is this classy Libra desk light, which illuminates with 280 lumens using only 12 watts. It’s available from The LED Light for $195.

Moppel Lights

Moppel lights are fun LED lamps, which can be bent into various poses, and stuck to surfaces using suction cups. They are available from Amazon for around $25.

Most candles commonly found in households are made using low-grade paraffin (a petroleum by-product). They contain many impurities which are emitted into the air as the candle burns. These low-quality candles also tend to use wicks which are made with a metal core like zinc or possibly lead. This is not optimal. A good alternative to parafin-based candles are ones mad with palm oil, soy oil or beeswax. Soy oil is not as optimal as palm oil because it tends to come from non-organic genetically modified soy beans. We like Aloha Bay Candles, because they are made with virgin palm oil extracted without solvents. We tested these candles and they burn very bright and clean.

They also burn longer than paraffin-based candles — about 1 to 2 hours longer on average.

The wicks are high-grade cotton, braided and treated to burn efficiently. The scents used in the candles are 100% pure essential oils.

The prices of the candles are comparable to conventional paraffin candles, about $1 per taper candle for example. They are fair-traded from a co-operative in Java.

Available from: Amazon, Aloha Bay Candles and Wegmans.

Lehman’s is now offering these newly upgraded olive oil lamps with stands. Olive oil is a renewable, non-petroleum fuel which burns without fumes or odor. You can also burn any vegetable oil, or liquid fat or grease in these lamps. The makers of the lamps also publish a booklet entitled “I Didn’t Know that Olive Oil Would Burn!”. It’s quite an informative read. It’s available from Lehman’s.

This efficient LED Light was created by designers Marco Pulga and Luca Artioli for Lexon of France. It runs on only 4 AA batteries. The lamp is 5″ square in size. The intensity of the light can be adjusted, and you can also set the light to turn off after period of time. Available for $60 from Greener Grass Designs via Better Living Through Design.

We featured some LED candles from Phillips previously but these lamps are available for only $9.95. The LEDs inside this lamp simulate a real candle. It’s powered by three rechargeable or regular AAA batteries. Available from CB2. Found via Better Living Through Design.

It’s interesting to see more LED lamps being produced today, like this long neck Aeonic lamp, which uses 20 energy efficient, cool-running, white LEDs. It can be used as a bedside lamp — the 36-inch neck adjusts to any angle. The specs say the LEDs should last for a century before they need replacement. I’m guessing this burns at 1-2 Watts. It’s priced at $99.95, including shipping.

Available from CCrane