Philips Lighting announces online tool, continuation of seminar

Nov 13, 2003 12:00 PM

End-users may soon have a new tool to help reduce environmental impacts on their buildings. On Nov. 11, Philips Lighting Co. announced the development of its Sustainable Lighting Index, an online calculator that helps end-users determine the mercury content/lumen hour ratio of lamp operations.

The company’s calculator works by measuring lamp mercury in picograms per lumen hour. This measurement uses a ratio of mercury content over lamp life multiplied by mean lumen output. This equation rates mercury content against the performance of the lamp, which is one of the considerations for sustainable design.

The calculator rates lamp performance based on the standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) program. Pending LEED-EB specification approval, the calculator will be available for free on the Philips Lighting Web site www. lighting.philips.com in early 2004.

Steve Goldmacher, director of corporate communications, says Philips is leading the lighting industry toward a model of sustainability. “With our Sustainable Lighting Index, we are extending that model to our end-users, encouraging them to consider the environmental impact of their lighting operations,” he says.

Philips also announced it will continue its Innovations Roadshow program, a seminar series on sustainable lighting and design accredited by the American Institute of Architects. The seminar includes information on sustainable lighting, the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program and the environmental and marketing benefits of sustainable design. For seminar dates, locations or to register, visit www.innovationsroadshow.com.