Eligible products include residential LED fixtures, retrofit kits and replacement lamps; ceiling fan lighting and light kits; connected lighting; lighting controls; and OLED fixtures.
Since 2002, the Lighting for Tomorrow competition has highlighted new residential lighting products that are both energy efficient and exceptional. As manufacturers compete to expose their newest high-quality, innovative, and energy efficient designs, Lighting for Tomorrow identifies exceptional products that inspire consumers and the lighting community.
About LFT The Lighting for Tomorrow competition emphasizes products that appeal to savvy, style-conscious buyers: products that are both beautiful and highly functional, so that they add to a sense of well-being in the home. Lighting for Tomorrow also looks to leap over market barriers that inhibit the adoption of energy efficient residential lighting products. Lighting for Tomorrow 2017, the fifteenth consecutive annual Lighting for Tomorrow competition, is sponsored by the American Lighting Association (ALA), the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), and Underwriters Laboratories (UL), as well as over a dozen energy efficiency and utility programs across the US and Canada.
Benefits of the Competition The Lighting for Tomorrow competition presents manufacturers with the opportunity to introduce their high quality and innovative designs, contribute to the greater energy efficiency movement, and gain exposure for their brands and products among industry leaders and consumers alike. In particular, the exceptional products identified by the judging panel are heavily promoted by Lighting for Tomorrow for a full calendar year. Award recipients are also eligible for promotion by energy efficiency programs across the US and Canada. Efficiency program administrators, in turn, have the opportunity to see the new products at the forefront of the efficient lighting industry.
2017 Launch and Timeline Activities for the 2017 Lighting for Tomorrow competition kicked off at Dallas Market Center Lightovation, January 18-22. The deadline for intent to submit forms for this year’s competition is April 21, 2017. In June, products will be evaluated by an elite judging panel consisting of experts in lighting technology, sales, energy efficiency, lighting design, and communications. Winners will be announced during an award ceremony at the 2017 ALA Annual Conference in Vancouver in September.
Solid State Lighting Since 2006, the Lighting for Tomorrow competition has stimulated the development of SSL products for the home. The competition has seen a tremendous increase in the quantity and quality of these products, and aims to continue influencing the market by awarding the top performers every year. Lighting for Tomorrow seeks a broad range of residential OLED and LED products, such as fixtures, retrofit kits, and replacement lamps. Entries will be judged on energy efficiency, lighting performance and quality, marketability, ease of installation, innovation, and serviceability. In 2017, Lighting for Tomorrow is also looking to emphasize lighting designed to meet the needs of the growing senior population; LED visible filament lamps; contractor lighting (fixtures priced at less than $50); and ceiling fan lighting and light kits.
Lighting Controls Lighting for Tomorrow continues to encourage lighting control products, including standalone, system, and whole house devices. Lighting control devices must be compatible with LED and other lighting technologies. Lighting for Tomorrow sponsors understand that energy savings from residential lighting will increasingly depend on a systems approach, including an efficient means to control operation, dimming, and connectivity with other residential products. The judging panel will evaluate products based on functionality, value, ease of installation and use (with consideration of the user interface), innovation, and ability to work with other systems and existing luminaires. Bonus points will be awarded for senior friendly design considerations.
Connected Lighting For the first time, in the 2017 competition Lighting for Tomorrow is accepting connected lighting entries as part of a standalone category. In the past few years the market has experienced an influx of connected lighting products, and Lighting for Tomorrow sees an opportunity to ensure that all residential products are delivering quality results and a positive consumer experience. Entries are not necessarily limited to standalone products such as smart or connected light bulbs or fixtures; they can also be lighting controls, systems, or system components. Entries will be evaluated based on ease of installation, setup and use; user interface; interoperability; salability; application efficiency; field serviceability; and innovation. The judging panel may award bonus points for entries exhibiting other desirable characteristics, such as color tunability and low flicker, or non-energy benefits such as consumer amenity and security.
For complete guidelines and entry information, please visit http://www.lightingfortomorrow.com.
