Now, why is the blue LED so important? Quite simply because there are no white LEDs. The white light that our eyes detect is created by using a blue LED and some yellow phosphor. The yellow phosphor coating may be placed directly on the blue LED or on the glass envelope that houses the blue LED. Either way when the blue light from the blue LED passes through the yellow phosphor the resulting light appears to be white.

In late 2014 at the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden, the three Japanese scientists who developed the blue LED while working at Nichia Chemicals will share the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work on the blue LED. In official terms the Nobel Committee awarded this year’s physics prize to Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura “for the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources.”

Furthermore, the Nobel Committee pointed out in its announcement that the results of all the scientists’ hard work will be on display everywhere as the three recipients make their way through Stockholm: “the light from their invention will be glowing in virtually all the windows of the city.” And they can be assured that, as this century progresses, the ascendancy of the LED will only become more dramatic.

It's no mirage – energy efficiency is gaining traction. Whether people are concerned about contributing to climate change by burning fossil fuels or saving money on their utility bills, there is rising demand for homes that can do more with less. Home builders are paying attention, and the new house of today is demonstrating different priorities from the residential construction of the past few decades. Among the ways that efficiency trends are playing out are an increase in low-maintenance yards, modern lighting and multi-generational living.

A Watershed Year for Efficiency

People really are paying more attention to their energy consumption these days. A study by Johnson Controls found that interest in energy efficiency had risen across North America by 116 percent between 2010 and 2014. The report called 2014 a “watershed year for energy efficiency” and that “strong improvements in key indicators signal major commitments to energy efficiency, high performance buildings, distributed energy systems and smart building technologies.”

Contractors are taking note of the heightened focus on efficiency and are adjusting their building components accordingly. "Being more energy efficient is extremely important to our home buyers,” Anthony Natale, co-founder and president of Grenadier Homes in Texas, said in a press release. “They're fiscally and environmentally responsible – savvy, sophisticated buyers who want to save money on utility costs while helping to save the planet for their children, grandchildren and beyond."

Keep an Eye on Water and Electricity

One aspect that Natale highlights is a move toward low-maintenance yards that need little in the way of irrigation or other care. A key component of these yards is using native plants, which are accustomed to the local climate and don't need much help to thrive. Another strategy is to integrate rain collection systems so you have water on hand when you need it without breaking out the hose. Also, efficiency-minded homeowners design landscaping in a way that reduces runoff and takes advantage of plants' natural preferences for shady or sunny areas.

In addition to conserving water, homeowners are also reducing their electric bills with LED lighting technology. LED lights last up to 25 times as long and only use 25 percent as much electricity as those old-timey incandescent bulbs. Initially, some consumers shied away from LEDs because of their high initial cost and limited utility, but technological advances mean that you can now find affordable LED solutions to just about any lighting setup you can think of.

Sharing Space with Grandma and Grandpa

One more recent trend in efficiency is a bit more surprising – a rise in multi-generational households. A 2014 study by the National Association of Realtors Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends found that households that included some combination of parents, adult children, adult siblings and grandparents comprised 14 percent of sales.

The savings are clear – fewer homes means less redundancy in heating, cooling, lighting and other energy-consuming necessities. New homes built to take advantage of this trend can offer separate entrances and suite-like setups in different areas of the house so residents can maintain their privacy while still sharing the structure.

If you want to cut back on your own energy usage but aren't prepared to invite grandma and grandpa home just yet, have a home services professional conduct an energy audit and create a tailored efficiency plan that's right for you.

If you live in a home that was built more than 40 years ago, you may have noticed your house isn’t quite keeping up with your needs. 40 years ago, we were not quite so fortunate to have all the gadgets and goodies we have today. Our lives have been streamlined and made much easier with all the technological advances that have been made in the last couple of decades. Unfortunately, older homes are typically not equipped to handle today’s modern devices. You need a Santa Monica electrician, like those at The Electric Connection.

It is possible to bring your home up to speed by updating your electric panel. An electrician will need to do an inspection to determine whether or not an upgrade is necessary. An electric panel is where the electric from the power company comes into your home. The various breakers direct the power to different areas of your home. If there is enough room in your existing electric panel, an electrician can go about adding a couple of outlets to meet your needs.

If the panel isn’t ready to have new breakers installed to support new outlets or high-powered appliances, you will need a panel upgraded by an electrician. Santa Monica residents who opt to have an upgrade will have the luxury of adding additional outlets and powering more electrical equipment. If you are not sure your electric panel is adequate, one of the signs is tripping breakers. If breakers regularly trip, it is likely due to them being weak or overloaded. Flickering lights are another sign of a strained electric panel. There is no time like the present to bring your home into the 21st century so you can take advantage of everything the technological world has to offer. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your electric panel inspection.

Spending long hours every day inside a dingy office can be taxing. It wears on your eyes and your psyche. While natural light is often preferable, it isn’t always a possibility. That doesn’t mean you stay in the dark. There are things you can do to brighten up the office and make it a little more inviting to work in. Clients will also appreciate a brighter, more lively space as well. A brighter office is only a phone call away. An electrician in Beverly Hills, like those at The Electric Connection, can help transform that once dark space into one that is nice and bright.

There are many different lighting options besides the typical fluorescent bulbs that tend to be the standard in many office buildings. That yellow glow can be difficult to cope with day in and day out. There are some serious benefits to updating the lighting in your office explains a Beverly Hills electrician.

It doesn’t take much to make a space look more inviting when you change the lighting scheme. If you are not sure what your options are, you can consult with an electrician. Beverly Hills office owners will appreciate getting some expert advice from people who know the business. There is new technology that is changing the ways homes and businesses are lighting their spaces. LEDs are the wave of the future. They are bright, energy efficient and they won’t heat the place up, which is especially important during the summer months. Call The Electric Connection today and bring your office up to date with latest in lighting technology.