2005 Lighting for Tomorrow Yearbook Competition – Technical Innovation Winner
"Dimmable Energy Efficient Lighting"
Stephen Blackman
American Fluorescent Corporation
Waukegan, IL
Never before available, Stephen Blackman's Chablis-Soleil pendant is the first affordably priced fluorescent ceiling fixture with an onboard dimmer switch. Cleverly hidden in the lower decorative finial, the dimmer twists to turn the 70 watt "2C" circline lamp on and then slowly increases the light output to full brightness. This feature, at an affordable price point, represents a ground-breaking development: this is the first energy efficient fixture that can closely compete with residential incandescent fixtures in dimming capability and price.
Blackman's design is only the first step in the development of affordable energy efficient ceiling fixture dimming. Now limited to circline fluorescents, Blackman believes the technology will soon be adapted to compact fluorescent lamps. Beyond that, he sees a day in the not-so-distant future when remote dimming by a standard wall switch dimmer control will be another affordable option for the residential market.
Availability
Fixtures incorporating dimming lamps and ballasts are planned for introduction in 2006.
