by Jason Ferezy | Jul 17, 2019 | Innerspace Blog
LED lighting is quickly dominating the market and becoming the standard in new home construction. As the technology continues to improve, manufacturers are offering a wide range of features and functionality built into these energy efficient, high performance fixtures aimed to provide the same experience as incandescent or halogen lightbulbs. Other features and design options include replicating any color on the full color spectrum, programming a light schedule based on geographic location, and ultra-shallow housings allowing more precise light delivery in any space.
Here are a few terms to add to your LED lighting repertoire.
Kelvin
This is the measure of light temperature. The lower the number, the warmer the light feels. Standard color temperatures are 2700k, 3000k, 3500k, 4000k, and 5000k. In our homes, where we want the space to feel more comfortable and inviting, we use the warmer color temperatures of 2700k and 3000k. These resemble the incandescent and halogen lamps we are accustomed to, and are often referred to as warm white, or soft white.
Color Rendering Index (CRI)
Not all light is created equal. Quality white light is made up of a full spectrum of colored light – every color of the rainbow. When we see color on an object, such as a green leaf, or a red ball, what we are actually seeing is that color of light being reflected off of that object. Natural sunlight is considered the benchmark when it comes to accurately showing the color of objects, so we would say it has a Color Rendering Index, or CRI, of 100. A CRI of 80 to 85 is fine for an office, but in places where color matters, 90 CRI and higher are essential.
Lumens
There are many ways to measure light, but the one most commonly used is lumens. Lumens are the amount of light given off by a source. In general, more lumens means more light. An 800 lumen lamp is about the same amount of light as a 60 watt incandescent bulb, while a 1600 lumen lamp is closer to a 100 watt bulb. Some manufacturers call this flux, or luminous flux.
Tunable White
This feature allows you to adjust the color temperature of an LED light fixture to replicate any white on the kelvin scale. With customized lighting programs, a schedule can be designed to start your day matching the color temperature of the outside and as the day progresses soften to a warmer, more relaxing glow such as 2700K.
Warm-dim
Warm–dim is the new name for something lights have pretty much always done. When we dim an incandescent or halogen lamp, the color of that light changes from a yellow-white to a yellow-orange very warm light. It can make a space feel closer and more intimate. Until recently, LED fixtures couldn’t do this; as the lamp dimmed, it remained at a fixed color temperature, which sometimes felt cold. More and more manufacturers are adding the warm-dim feature, making fixtures that have the same warm glow of an incandescent or halogen lamp. This feature can also be called warm-glow or dim-to-glow.
RGB/RGBW
Part of the fun of LED lighting is the ability to play with color. Some fixtures have the ability to make any color you want – team colors for a sporting event, or a holiday theme, or just to suit a mood. These fixtures are commonly called RGB or RGBW since they are made up of red, green and blue, or red, green, blue and white LEDs. The difference between RGB and RGBW is that RGB fixtures can make any color, or hue, but an RGBW fixture can also change the value, allowing pastels and softer colors to be created through the addition of white light.
Dimmers & Drivers
Dimmers are great for setting a mood and adding flexibility to lighting. Many LED fixtures can be dimmed to very low levels – 5% of visible light is common, and some are going as low as 1% or even .1%. In order to dim correctly, the fixture’s driver, or transformer, needs to be compatible with the dimmer used to control it. There are several standard dimming and control methods used in LED lighting (ELV/Phase dimming, TRIAC, 0-10volt, DALI, EcoSystem, DMX, PWM) and most manufacturers will show what their fixture will work with or offer driver options in the case of a configurable fixture.
Related: SPOTLIGHT ON LIGHTING: Q&A WITH RACHEL CALEMMO FROM CHRISTIAN RAE STUDIO
With LED lighting quickly evolving, staying attuned to the advancements and feature sets can lend itself a challenging task. By partnering with a trusted team of lighting professionals we can guarantee your projects incorporate the right lighting design, fixture specification and lighting controls to deliver an exceptional experience.
Whether you’re a homeowner starting a new project or design-build professional interested in learning more about the many LED fixture brands we supply, we encourage you to schedule a meeting with us today. Click here to schedule.
by Jason Ferezy | Apr 15, 2019 | Innerspace Blog
Take a moment to think about the space you are sitting in. How does it make you feel? Do you feel productive and energized, or are you feeling relaxed? Now, take a moment to look at the lighting in the space. How does the color of light appear? Is it an amber, warm glow or more of a white, bright light like daylight? How many fixtures are in the room? Is it a combination of fixtures such as in-ceiling downlights, wall sconces, table and/or floor lamps or is it one primary source of light? Would you consider the space to be adequately lit?
A well-lit space that enhances the environment and mood incorporates multiple layers of lighting. These layers include general lighting of a space, known as ambient lighting, task lighting providing ample lighting to achieve a task, focal lighting to draw attention to a specific feature or architectural element, and decorative lighting such as a beautifully crafted chandelier dangling in the grand foyer.
Additionally, energy output and dimming controls contributes greatly to the way a space is illuminated and how it can be manipulated. In today’s world of lighting, light emitting diodes (LED) light fixtures have made significant strides in supplying energy-efficient light sources. More and more projects are required by state and local codes to include a portion of LED fixtures within new construction projects.
Related: 3 REASONS WHY INNERSPACE ELECTRONICS SHOULD BE YOUR LIGHTING DESIGNER AND FIXTURE SUPPLIER ON RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS
A contracted lighting designer is trained to meet code requirements and design a well-crafted lighting design plan for residential construction. As Home Technology Professionals who specialize in sophisticated lighting control systems, we work closely with lighting designers to ensure interoperability between designated light fixtures and the lighting control system.
We recently connected with Rachel Calemmo, co-founder of Christian Rae Studio, and accredited LEED® and NCQLP Lighting Certified professional, and asked her a few questions about the importance of contracting a lighting designer and lighting control experts early on in a project. Here’s what we Rachel had to say:
Q [IEI]: To start, when a person is building or renovating their home, what would you consider to be the most important aspects of lighting to understand and be aware of in a lighting plan?
A [RC]: I came to the field of lighting design via interior design. For me, one of the most critical factors is visual acuity. This means rendering the colors and finishes in the space in a way that makes them come to life. I use light sources that have the highest color rendering index (CRI) possible and select a color temperature of the light that will complement the colors and textures in the space.
The lighting should also support the activities in the space at any given time. This means not only using the appropriate light sources, but also layering the light and varying the controls to suit the activities by time of day. Daylight provides bright, blue-rich light in the early morning to deliver an alerting signal as we wake up – but exposure to that same light at night can keep you up at night, and can make you feel groggy or irritable the next day. In the early evening, daylight provides a warm, low-level light to cue our bodies for a period of rest.
Circadian rhythms can be supported by using dynamic lighting features that LED lighting technology offers. It puts us in a position where we can now create personalized lighting to mitigate circadian disruption, optimize mood and visual experience, and improve our sense of wellbeing, in better ways than ever before.
Using these tools to design an overall lighting scheme makes our spaces feel more natural and comfortable places to live, dine, work and rest.
Q [IEI]: With so many manufacturers and light fixtures available in the marketplace, how does a lighting design help guide fixture specifications for a project and prove compatibility with a lighting control system?
A [RC]: Compatibility is the most critical factor in ensuring a successful lighting design. LED lighting requires more planning and coordination than any previous system of illumination. In order for LEDs to function properly, they need dimmers and drivers that speak their language so they do not create flicker, popping, strobing, early failure or dropping off. This level of specification is best done by partnering with lighting designers and integrators that can narrow down the wide range of fixture options and select the best possible fixtures that will not only complement the architecture and interior design, but will function smoothly.
Q [IEI]: What do you see as the core benefits of LED lighting over other technologies?
A [RC]: I am very excited about the benefits that LEDs offer us as designers and consumers because while they save us a tremendous about of energy and minimize maintenance, they also allow us to create more dynamic lighting environments. LEDs provide us more control over the tone of our white light while also allowing us to supplement with color. Now, we are not only restricted to one wall color in a space, but can dial up any color of a room by a flip of a switch or a voice command, if we so choose. Technologies such as warm-dim LEDs can mimic incandescent sources, while tunable white allows us to set our lighting to a schedule that matches the tone of daylight to enhance the circadian rhythms I mentioned earlier. RGBW (Red, Green, Blue & White) LEDs lets us play with all the tones of white light along with vibrant and pastel colors all coming from one fixture. LEDs have opened up a world of possibilities.
Q [IEI]: Why is it important for lighting designers to partner with lighting control system integrators early in the design and planning phase of a project?
A [RC]: As mentioned earlier, LED lighting and its control goes hand-in-hand. The vision of a design can only be realized when the proper fixtures are selected and coordinated between the architecture and the controls system. The process works best when a team of designers and integrators are communicating throughout the design and specification to be sure the project goals are being met and the end user will have a space that is comfortable, intuitive and easy to maintain.
Q [IEI]: How does a lighting control system integrator complete a lighting designer’s vision?
A [RC]: In order to take full advantage of the benefits LED offer, controls integration is key. The ability of our lighting to be personalized and intuitive is controls-based. In order to have smooth dimming to a low level in intimate spaces or to follow daylight rhythms in our living spaces, requires complex scheduling and controls. These complex lighting scenes can be quite simple for the homeowner to use once the proper integration and planning is in place. This is why it is critical to not only have the proper fixtures selected by the designer for look and feel, but to have it controlled and programmed by the integrator to have it function to its full potential. We work as a team with the end user to create spaces that have benefits from well-being to visual acuity and enjoyment of our built environment.
About Racel Calemmo LC, LEED®, AP
Lighting Designer, Rachel Calemmo, orchestrates light, color, materials and space to create visually appealing environments which ease the demands of modern life and rejuvenate the soul. An Interior Design graduate of Philadelphia University, Rachel engages all aspects of project design, construction, and management. Her commitment to the total design experience led her to specialize in lighting. She earned the Lighting Certified (LC) designation after successfully completing the NCQLP Lighting Certification Examination. Her technical skills enable her to complete each design challenge from conception to final installation; resulting in projects representing a broad range of scale, scope, and budget consideration. Rachel is also a LEED® Accredited Professional who designs each project to a high standard balancing aesthetic expectations and energy efficiency due to the important role energy consumption and cost plays in an overall building life cycle.
About Christian Rae Studio
Christian Rae Studio, LLC was established in 2010 as collaboration between Rachel and Christian Calemmo. Christian is a licensed architect in Connecticut and New York. Rachel is an interior designer and certified lighting designer (LC). She is also a LEED accredited professional. Our firm is located in Southport, CT and we have worked on projects in Connecticut, Westchester County, New York City and beyond. Our combined technical and creative skills enable us to complete each design challenge from conception to final installation and our project types represent a broad range of type, scale and budget considerations. Each of our projects is unique. Therefore, we focus our attentions on listening to our clients so that we can deliver a product that is not only beautiful and functional but also tailored to your specific needs and requests. We insist on providing detail and quality that is evident through our drawings and project management. The collaboration between multiple disciplines in our studio is an approach that results in a holistic and integrated project. Our goal is to make the design process a thoroughly enjoyable experience for our clients.
Calling all design-build professionals. Are you interested in being featured in one of InnerSpace Electronic Inc.’s Q&A Spotlight sessions? If so, please contact marketing@nullieiny.com to inquire.
by Jason Ferezy | Apr 1, 2019 | Innerspace Blog
It was a crisp November evening in Plantsville, CT as home builders, architects, designers and contractors gathered at the Aqua Turf Club for the 25th Anniversary HOBI Awards gala. The event is presented by the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Connecticut (HBRA) and recognizes design-build professionals projects incorporating the best products and services in a variety of categories including new home construction, remodeling, commercial construction, land development, sales, marketing and finance.
From left to right: Peter Fusaro, 2017-18 HBRA Board Chair & President; Barry Reiner, President & CEO InnerSpace Electronics; Andrea Reiner, Co-founder & CFO, InnerSpace Electronics; Jennifer LaBollita, Director of Sales & Marketing, InnerSpace Electronics; Gina Romanello, Sales & Marketing Manager, InnerSpace Electronics; Chris Nelson, 2017-18 HBRA First Vice Chairman & VP.
This year was a special time at the event for us; we were honored to be named the 2018 Best Home Technology award winner. The project we submitted for was a lovely home in Greenwich, CT that included a full Savant home automation system allowing ease of control over a whole-home music system, a video distribution system, an intercom phone system, a large Lutron lighting control system, motorized window treatments and outdoor insect screens, thermostat controls, a high-quality Wifi network system, and a property surveillance system.
In true collaborative fashion, our project management and engineering team worked closely with the project architect, builder, electrician, lighting designer and other trades leaving no detail untouched and enabled us to deliver a reliable, user-friendly smart home with remote management capabilities giving the homeowners overall peace of mind, enhancing the quality of life.
BEST HOME TECHNOLOGY CATEGORY ADDED TO PROGRAM
The Best Home Technology award category was originally introduced into the HOBI award program in 2017, however, 2018 was the first year a winner was selected. The addition of this category showcases the demand of home technology controls emerging into the build process. Partnering up with a low-voltage electronics contractor earlier in the design phase of a home build or renovation ensures the home is adequately wired and designed to support these systems.
CONNECT WITH A TECHNOLOGY EXPERT
With over thirty years delivering beautiful, sustainable and intelligently connected homes and a service staff to support and increase the longevity of a system, we are a partner to rely on. To see images of this year’s event, please visit the HOBI Award Gallery or see the list of winners here.
To learn more about our services or to speak with one of our design professionals, contact us here.
by Jason Ferezy | Jan 29, 2019 | Innerspace Blog, Network
Many facets of life require a foundation to build upon. In the professional world, education is the foundation to developing success. In construction of homes and buildings, a sturdy foundation is necessary to support the infrastructure. Our roadways are developed with a foundation to support traffic. The foundation is the first step in achieving results and the mission at hand.
Similarly, as technology advances and as more and more devices in our homes and our personal lives require internet access, a robust home network is necessary in order to support bandwidth, speed, and proper coverage. In the home a network is the foundation to protecting data, supporting multiple electronics and multiple streaming devices being used concurrently, and provide the necessary coverage to avoid dropouts or slower connections. Additionally, as devices continue to be introduced in the marketplace as smart home enabled, a thoughtfully engineered home network will scale to support the increase in connected home devices.
Related: InnerSpace Electronics Improves Home Networks
Data Protection and Security 
Gone are the days when it was safe for homeowners to leave their doors unlocked when they were on or off premise. Today would you leave your door unlocked for anyone to have access to enter? Think of your home network as a similar entry point for intruders. An unsecured network easily allows hackers as well as curious neighborhood children/neighbors to enter your home and get access to all your personal data and private information. It’s exactly like leaving all your doors unlocked.
Separating your guest network from your primary network is good practice to improve security. This means that your guests can share your high-speed network but have no access into your primary network. Basically, like giving them a key to the guest house instead of the entire house.
Improved Performance
Imagine this scenario. You’re watching a movie on your favorite video streaming service, music is streaming in the kitchen and dining room as dinner is being prepared, the kids are upstairs one is playing video games, the other relentlessly searching the internet working on a research paper. You’re running an unmanaged network with one Wifi extender upstairs and often the music skips out, the video pauses while it downloads more of the content, the video game cuts offline right when they were about to get to the next level, and the internet is just slow and taking forever to load. Don’t allow this to happen to your family.
The demand for bandwidth continues to grow quickly, as new devices continue to enter the home. This combined with concurrent usage by all occupants means that upgrading your networking equipment will significantly improve speed and overall performance.
Networking gear that fails to take advantage of 5GHz or more recent standards such as IEEE 802.11ac or 802.11ax is outdated and can be the root of poor performance and slower upload/download speeds. If your network is an unmanaged network, a simple addition of a controller will greatly improve performance. Keeping your equipment updated through firmware will also ensure you’re running the most current versions.
Separating traffic on your network into multiple ‘virtual’ networks can synchronously improve performance while improving security. A solid network will segment multiple networks within your main network to allow each system to essentially operate off their own network, therefore causing less disruption across all your devices when they are being used simultaneously.
Reliable Coverage
Have you ever noticed that as you walk around your house, your Wifi signal becomes weaker or drops off completely in certain locations? It’s due to a lack of access points that allow you to carry the signal throughout the home. In a home with multiple levels or walls that can lessen signal strength, proper location of wireless access points will help to carry the signal throughout the home. Intelligent access points communicate with your portable devices and switch your device’s Wi-Fi connection to the closest access point based on your location. It eliminates the guesswork and frustration of reconnecting to the home network. 
Equipment also plays a role in providing adequate coverage. Old, dated equipment is often operating on older technologies, and signal strength is not as disbursed in range as newer gear. A simple and less costly solution can be to add more access points, and update firmware.
Future-Proofing and Maintenance
Investing in your home network is a logical step in future proofing your home setting it up to support new technologies that are designed to make our lives easier. You want a home network that can easily be upgraded, provides security and data protection, and presents seamless coverage to ensure peace of mind and greater usability.
Counting on a professional to not only install your home network but to also maintain it will make your investment go even further. As network professionals we are trained to provide system updates, maintain and remotely manage your security settings, troubleshoot to resolve any issues prior to you becoming aware, and keep you educated.
Network Evaluation
At InnerSpace Electronics our commitment is to engineer secure and reliable networks. Our team of network specialists are highly trained and have earned multiple certifications on networking best practices.
If you’re unsure of where your network stands or if it’s time to upgrade, take this quick questionnaire.
EVALUATE YOUR NETWORK
If you know you are due for an upgrade or maintenance, contact us today for your complimentary consultation.
by Jason Ferezy | Dec 27, 2018 | Innerspace Blog
It’s that time of the year when people tend to reflect on the year soon to pass in anticipation of setting goals for the new year. Where did we succeed? What could we have done better? What special moments and milestones were celebrated?
A company shares in the same reflections as any individual. While we are eager to move into a new year abound with new goals, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on 2018. Here are 5 of our most notable moments from the year:
We celebrated our 30th birthday 
They say thirties are the new twenties, and boy are we thriving! In 1988 founders Barry & Andrea Reiner formed InnerSpace Electronics, Inc. This year marked our 30th year in business as Home Technology Professionals delivering innovative solutions that improve overall quality of life within the home. A huge shout out goes to our loyal and trusted clients and partners that not only supported us this far but have enabled us to continue to grow and expand around technology in the home. Read more about our company here.
Staff Investments
To remain relevant and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing technology landscape, it’s imperative that we keep our talent well-educated and trained in all the latest technologies. This year we invested across many different areas of our business through vendor and industry-related training programs.
On-Staff Lighting Designer
In support of our lighting division expansion offering lighting design services and selling and specifying light fixtures, Elizabeth Quisgard in our engineering department achieved the American Lighting Association (ALA) Lighting Specialist certification. It encompasses every aspect of the residential lighting industry, including industry trends, technology and technical developments.
Related Post: 3 Reasons Why InnerSpace Electronics Should Be Your Lighting Designer and Fixture Supplier on Residential Projects
Continuing Education
We also enrolled our engineering team in the Vantage Lighting Controls certification program to maintain and develop their skills with this control system. Expanding our knowledge of another lighting control platform enables us to offer multiple options matched to client / project requirements.
Raising best-in-class technicians and installers
As a requirement, all our technicians are required to participate in training through the industry-accredited Maverick Technical Institute, certifying those who wish to pursue a certificate as a Low-Voltage Technician (LVT). This program offers hands-on classroom training of proper installation techniques raising qualified installers with a strong background in A/V and low-voltage electronics. By putting our technicians and installers through this program, we are ensuring you are getting best-in-class technicians with the skills and experience mitigating your risk for careless installs, messy racks, and weak business practices.
Growth through new hires
Thanks to our continued success, we’ve been able to scale the business accordingly and add new members to our team roster in our sales, operations, and IT departments. These additions bring unique skills that enhance our business goals and we look forward to seeing their impact in the new year.
Product Expansion
For many years we’ve been designing and installing lighting control systems. It was only natural for us to start specifying and selling compatible light fixtures that are focused on the future of LED lighting. In order to become an authorized reseller vendors typically set extensive requirements such as volume minimums, product training, and demo equipment orders that need to be met. This year we focused on adding the following brands to our product portfolio:
DMF Lighting manufacturers high-quality LED light in a small, affordable package. Available in a wide range of trims, color temperature, lumen output, and dimming capabilities, this brand is an innovative solution outside of your traditional housing cans, with all the necessary ratings.
Ketra is focused on flexibility and simplicity. Recently acquired by Lutron, they offer full-range color options, human-centric lighting programs to match and enhance circadian rhythm, high output and beam spread options, and a variety of aperture and trim options.
Finire and F
inire Prime extend a variety of apertures, trims, and color temperatures. Known for their dimming performance, they are compatible with the Lutron Eco System driver, and come in multiple beam spread options.
USAI Lighting is known for high quality, high performance fixtures. With many options available to meet various installation scenarios, these fixtures come in a variety of color temperatures, with a variety of openings and finishes.
We’ll be hitting the road in 2019 educating on the various fixture types available to the design-build community. Contact us to sign up for our lighting demo to learn more about the newest in LED technology. We bring lunch to your office! Learn more about our lighting division here.
Award-winning Installations
We strive for continued excellence. Our partnerships are built on collaboration and communication. Our project management skills maintain accountability and ensure we deliver results. Many of our projects are noteworthy homes designed by leaders and innovators in their respective trade. Vendor recognition, and support of the design-build community keeps us all working with a shared mission – to deliver outstanding forward-thinking homes. Here are our leading awards for 2018:
Lutron Excellence Award for Best Use of Lutron’s High-Performance LED Fixtures
Partnering with the project architect, builder, lighting designer and client we delivered an award-winning Lutron QS system comprised of 330 Ivalo Finire fixtures and earning us the 2018 Lutron Excellence Award for Best Use of Lutron’s High-Performance LED Fixtures.
Related Post: Honored by Lutron Electronics for Project Excellence
HOBI Award for Best Connected Home
As members of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Fairfield County (HBRA), we were ecstatic to learn we were awarded the Best Connected Home award. The technology component of their award program is in its second year, which speaks to the growing support of partnering with technology experts at the design stage to deliver award-winning results. The winning home was built on collaboration with multiple trades, and a leading builder in the marketplace.
Industry Affiliations and Dealer Status Updates
HTA is a new association designed to connect homeowners, and design-build professionals with integration firms. We met the extensive qualifications of the Estate certification, the highest designation to be received. This association is built around three pillars: Technical Competency, Aftercare Service, and Reputation. Partnering with a HTA Certified installer guarantees they are skilled at the level your project requires.
We are once again recognized as a Diamond Elite Dealer with Lutron based on our 2017 sales volume. A Diamond Elite Dealer must meet volume requirements over $750K within a fiscal year. In order to achieve this volume, our team from sales to engineering needs to be extremely proficient with their product line and technical requirements. We are proud to commit to and support a leading brand of lighting controls, and motorized window treatments.
Related Post: We’re Diamond Elite!
As Savant dealers for many years, we continuously maintain their requirements to meet the high standards of a Gold dealer. A Gold Savant Dealer has at least two years of Savant experience and additional certifications for advanced features and area lighting control.
One thing we can lookback and takeaway from 2018 is our investment for continued growth and excellence. Our partnerships with the design-build community and client relationships look to us as subject matter experts in the realm of home technology. It is imperative that we maintain thought-leadership to continue to drive value, innovation, and solutions that supersede expectations.
We have some high ambitions set for the new year and look forward to enhancing our relationships through education, collaboration, and service. Thank you to all our loyal partners and clients for a successful 2018, and we wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2019!
