The Darker Days of Winter Don’t Have to Mean Darker Spirits for You

Treat Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder with BlueMax™ Light Therapy Lamps

JACKSON, MICHIGAN – January 30^th, 2012 –  Seasonal Affective Disorder, also referred to as “SAD” or “the winter blues,” is a cyclic, seasonal type of depression that affects millions of Americans each year. There are two types of SAD, but the most common type is called winter-onset depression and symptoms typically begin to set-in during late fall or early winter and go away by summer. Loss of motivation, a desire to oversleep, feeling fatigued, the inability to tolerate stress, a desire to avoid social contact, and change in eating habits are symptoms of SAD and can result in depression and weight gain.

Although the precise causes of SAD are not fully understood, researchers have seen strong evidence that the reduced amount of daylight in the fall and winter disrupt our internal clocks, triggering mood swings and, occasionally, depression. What many sufferers of SAD may not be aware of is that it is treatable with the regular use of indoor lighting that mimics natural sunshine. BlueMax™ brand light therapy lamps from Full Spectrum Lighting Solutions, Inc. are particularly effective because they are scientifically proven to provide the recommended intensity of light that most closely replicates natural daylight.

For SAD sufferers, the changing of the seasons is often correlated with feelings of anxiety and depression. However, taking precautionary measures in advance can lessen these feelings. Studies show that light therapy is a solution to treating depression caused by the absence of sunlight.  The medical industry recommends sitting in front of a 10,000 Lux (the recommended measurement of light intensity) light source for approximately 30 minutes a day. Light therapy products, such as BlueMax^™ 70w light therapy desk and floor lamps have been proven effective in treating symptoms of SAD.

In addition to providing light therapy, BlueMax™ high-definition full spectrum lamps have the highest CRI on the market (96 with 100 being natural daylight) and a Kelvin temperature of 5900. The enhanced scotopic qualities increase visual acuity and its patented dimming system enables users to control the light levels throughout the day. So after your light therapy session, you can dim the light and continue using your patented BlueMax^™ lamp as your primary reading or task light.
Full Spectrum Solutions, Inc. stands behind its BlueMax™ 70w desk and floor lamps by offering a lifetime warranty on parts and labor – making it a risk-free investment for people who suffer from SAD. Bring the light back in your life with BlueMax™.

Full Spectrum Solutions, Inc. supports lighting research through its affiliate memberships and partnerships with medical and scientific researchers. For more information, call 888-574-7014, visit www.fullspectrumsolutions.com, or email sales@fullspectrumsolutions.com. For press inquiries, contact Kyle Leighton at kyle@fullspectrumsolutions.com. If you would like to support Full Spectrum Solutions, Inc. please follow them on Twitter, or visit them on Facebook.

Tulsa Expo Square Provides Enhanced Lighting for the 26th Annual Chili Bowl

Induction Lighting Makes a Big Impact on National Racing Event in Oklahoma

JACKSON, MI – January 24, 2012 – The Tulsa Expo Square is one of the largest clearspan buildings in the world, and plays host to the widely acclaimed Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. Every January the event boasts over 15,000 spectators and attracts NASCAR and USAC drivers from around the country. In preparation for this year’s event, the Square went through a major renovation, and featured enhanced lighting.
Due to the demands of an indoor race track, the imminent scheduling of the event, and the American Electric Power-Public Service Company (AEP) rebate requirements, the criteria for indoor lighting was very stringent. Facility managers at the Expo Square were concerned about light levels, dimming capabilities, installation deadlines, reliability, and procuring a fixture that would meet the energy reduction and US Made requirements of the AEP rebates.
“When we began our test period in March of 2011, I was surprised to see how the quality of the fixtures varied between manufactures. Our process included a long research period, followed by a long test period and finally the installation. In the first week, half of the other manufacturer’s products failed,” said Wayne Driggers, Grounds Supervisor at Tulsa Expo Square. “We did not go forward with any LEDs after we tested a few single fixtures. The LEDs did not make it out of our preliminary testing for a number of reasons. The five EverLast® fixtures we were testing are still there with absolutely no problems or complaints,” Driggers commented. “Everyone was impressed by the attention to detail that EverLast® put into the product. Right out of the box, EverLast® stood out. The packaging was even better.”
As a result, the Tulsa Expo Square moved forward with installing five hundred and thirty-nine 400 watt, variable dimming EverLast® high bay fixtures in the winter of 2011. The fixtures replaced 1000w Metal Halides throughout the Square delivering a savings of approximately 1.5 million kilowatt hours, and over $100,000 a year.
In addition, Tulsa Expo Square officials received a refund of nearly $150,000 for the installation. The check refund was part of AEP of Oklahoma’s energy-efficiency payback program. “I am proud to support a true American manufacturer. We are looking forward to a long relationship with EverLast® as we move forward with our energy conservation efforts. It would be my pleasure to recommend the EverLast® products to anyone,” stated Driggers.
About EverLast® Lighting: EverLast® Lighting is a subsidiary of Full Spectrum Solutions, Inc. and has quickly grown into the leading manufacturer of energy-efficient lighting solutions for roadway, parking structure, facility and area lighting applications. For additional product information, visit www.everlastlight.com, call 888-383-7578 or send an email to info@everlastlight.com.

For additional product information, visit www.everlastlight.com, call 888-383-7578, or email info@everlastlight.com. For press inquiries, contact Kyle Leighton at 517-783-3800 ext.231 or email at kyle@everlastlight.com.
If you would like to support EverLast®, please follow EverLast® on Twitter or visit them on Facebook.

U of M Wins with Lighting at New Crisler Player Development Center

Energy Efficient Lighting Installed at State of the Art PDC will Reduce Costs and Improve

Player Performance

JACKSON, MI – January 10, 2012 – The University of Michigan's nationally ranked men’s basketball team is shooting for a Big Ten title and a long NCAA Tournament run this season. While the Wolverines continue to rack up victories in games, EverLast® Lighting could get credited with an assist for helping them on the practice court.

Fifty-six Induction High Bay fixtures manufactured by EverLast® Lighting were installed during construction of the university's state-of-the-art Player Development Center, which is attached to Crisler Arena, where Michigan plays its home games. The Player Development Center, which opened in October, is 57,000 square feet and was built at a cost of more than $23 million.

“The fixtures from EverLast® were a great fit for this project,” said Andy Meteer of Gasser-Bush Associates, a lighting company located in Livonia that sold the fixtures to U-M. “Induction lights like those produced by EverLast® are 'instant-on.' A coach can flip a switch and start practice instead of waiting several minutes for them to warm up and fully illuminate. The EverLast® lights also are low-maintenance and provide a higher CRI.”

The color rendering index, or CRI, measures how something appears under a certain type of lighting. Lights with a higher CRI give their users increased visual acuity, which means objects are sharper and more defined. EverLast® fixtures provide a higher CRI than other lighting options, which benefits members of the University of Michigan men's and women's basketball teams during practice at the facility.

Damon Grosz, facilities manager at Crisler Arena, said the induction fixtures have performed well since the facility opened and made a note of how the lights turn on instantly. “That is a nice feature,” he said.

Meteer said the fact that EverLast® Lighting manufactures its products in Michigan is helpful when it comes to meeting deadlines. EverLast® Lighting, a subsidiary of Full Spectrum Solutions, is located in Jackson, less than an hour's drive from the University of Michigan. “Our engineers appreciate the Michigan-based companies,” Meteer said, “and it does help in some cases to get the material specified.”

The reviews of the facility were positive right from the start. Michigan head coach John Beilein voiced his approval via Twitter right after he and his staff moved to the facility in late October. “We just moved into the new Player Development Center,” Beilein wrote. “Wow! Thanks to all who have helped make this dream a reality.”

Assistant coach Bacari Alexander said the facility will help the Wolverines bring in quality players to help strengthen the program. “I can only imagine what recruits will say once we tour our improved facilities here at Michigan,” Alexander said via Twitter. “We love autographs (during the signing periods) in November and April.”

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About EverLast® Lighting

EverLast® Lighting is a subsidiary of Full Spectrum Solutions, Inc. and has quickly grown into the leading manufacturer of energy-efficient lighting solutions for roadway, parking structure, facility and area lighting applications. For additional product information, visit www.everlastlight.com, call 888-383-7578 or send an email to info@everlastlight.com.

For additional product information, visit www.everlastlight.com, call 888-383-7578, or email info@everlastlight.com.  For press inquiries, contact Kyle Leighton at 517-783-3800 ext.231 or email kyle@everlastlight.com

If you would like to support EverLast®, please follow EverLast® on Twitter or visit them on Facebook.

Allegiance Health Pushes Forward with Green Initiative with Help from Consumers’ Energy Saving Solutions Program and Local Lighting Manufacturer

Allegiance Health is in the process of replacing all of its parking lot and garage light fixtures with energy-efficient induction fixtures from Jackson-based lighting manufacturer Full Spectrum Solutions, Inc. The retrofit is funded by Consumers’ Energy Saving Solutions program that was implemented to help Michigan’s commercial and industrial customers become more energy efficient. This lighting initiative is part of Allegiance’s ongoing effort to “green” its operations.

The community-owned health system received approximately $100,000 from Consumers Energy in 2010 to upgrade its lighting, heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.¹  “This has provided us with an opportunity to put forward a strong green initiative for the health system,” Allegiance Health spokesman Shannon Scholten said.²

In addition to upgrades being made to the parking garages at One Jackson Square, Allegiance Health upgraded two parking lots this past summer and has two more lots to complete. Craig Whipstock, Facilities and Maintenance Manager at Allegiance, hopes to complete the exterior lighting upgrade by the end of November. “We recently finished phase one of three at One Jackson Square. We’re in the process of installing approximately 250 bi-level garage fixtures that step dim to 40% power when the area is vacant,” Whipstock said. “We anticipate an annual savings of $14,000 at One Jackson Square alone once the project is complete. That’s without factoring in the additional savings generated when the fixtures are in low power mode.”

The new induction fixtures are 50-70% more energy efficient than metal halide and HPS (high pressure sodium) fixtures and last up to 100,000 hours, making them virtually maintenance free for up to 15 years. “Consumers Energy recognizes that energy efficiency is good for everyone, which is why they implemented this program,” stated Brandon Marken, Director of EverLast® Commercial Sales. “Helping customers reduce their energy consumption and save money is their goal, and the EverLast fixtures fit the bill perfectly.”

In addition to energy and maintenance savings, the new lights provide an increased sense of safety for Allegiance Health staff and visitors. Unlike the previous fixtures that produced a yellow/orange light, the induction lights produce a crisp white light that enables pedestrians to easily identify potential threats. “Everyone is very pleased with the quality of light produced by the new fixtures,” Whipstock said.  

Consumers Energy offered commercial customers $45-$180 in rebates for each high-intensity discharge light fixture that was replaced with energy-efficient induction technology. For more information about Consumers Energy’s rebate program, call (866) 234-0445 or visit http://www.consumersenergy.com/eeprograms. 

EverLast Classic Shoe Box Fixtures

EverLast 200w Shoe Box

EverLast Shoe Boxes Illuminate Staff Parking Lot at Night

About EverLast® Lighting:  EverLast® Lighting is a subsidiary of Full Spectrum Solutions, Inc. and has quickly grown into the leading manufacturer of energy-efficient lighting solutions for roadway, parking structure, facility and area lighting applications. For additional product information, visit www.everlastlight.com, call 888-383-7578 or send an email to info@everlastlight.com.

For press inquiries, contact Kyle Leighton at 517-783-3800 ext.231 or email at kyle@everlastlight.com.

If you would like to support EverLast®, please follow EverLast® on Twitter or visit them on Facebook.

DTE Energy and Oakland University Select EverLast® Induction Lights as Part of $500,000 Emerging Lighting Technologies Demonstration Project

In partnership with DTE Energy’s Community Lighting group, Oakland University (OU) Facilities Management turned its campus into a demonstration site for Emerging Lighting Technologies (ELT) to study energy, light output, and maintenance. Together, DTE Energy and OU have invested more than $500,000 to convert the existing high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps to new energy-efficient and low maintenance lighting technologies.

Jackson-based lighting manufacturer, Full Spectrum Solutions, supplied 120w EverLast® induction cobra head roadway fixtures to replace the preexisting 250w HPS fixtures along Pioneer Dr. and Pavilion Rd. on the northeast side of campus. “Oakland University is leading the way in energy related technology research and innovation. The opening of their new research center is the pinnacle of this commitment,” stated Brandon Marken, Director of EverLast® Commercial Sales. “They like the EverLast induction fixtures not only because they are manufactured by a Michigan company, but also because they embody what the center is looking for in terms of a cutting edge, energy efficient, and sustainable technology.”  

The lighting demonstration is part of the OU Clean Energy Research Center’s (CERC) commitment to helping industrial and commercial buildings in Southeast Michigan reduce energy consumption by 40% before 2020. According to CERC’s website, buildings consume approximately 40% of the nation’s energy. In Michigan, this equates to more than $15 billion in energy costs, much of which flows out of the State, and adds to the cost of our products.¹    

“We’re finishing up the installation of EverLast 250w acrylic high bays in a pavilion on our historical east campus in preparation for a lighting tour we’re hosting November 10,” stated Jim Leidel, OU’s Director of Clean Energy Systems. “In addition to reducing energy consumption, we’re striving to increase the public’s awareness of emerging lighting technologies.”    

EverLast® induction fixtures have been installed by universities across the United States, notably: the University of Michigan; University of California – Davis, Irvine, San Francisco, and Santa Barbara campuses; Michigan State University; Stanford University; and Purdue. 

 

About EverLast® Lighting:   

EverLast® Lighting is a subsidiary of Full Spectrum Solutions, Inc. and has quickly grown into the leading manufacturer of energy-efficient lighting solutions for roadway, parking structure, facility and area lighting applications. For additional product information, visit www.everlastlight.com, call 888-383-7578 or send an email to info@everlastlight.com.

For press inquiries, contact Kyle Leighton at 517-783-3800 ext.231 or email at kyle@everlastlight.com

If you would like to support EverLast®, please follow EverLast® on Twitter or visit them on Facebook.

About OU's CERC

Oakland University’s CERC will create an environment that will foster commercial partnerships, provide an educational platform for student research and clean energy curricula development, while providing an entrepreneurial atmosphere within the OU R&D community to allow technology transfer and commercialization of new technologies.

Detroit’s COBO Center Completes Replacement of 3,000 Inefficient Lights with Induction Fixtures as Part of a $21 Million Energy Conservation Makeover

COBO Center, one of Detroit’s landmark public buildings and home to the North American International Auto Show since 1965, recently received an energy-efficient lighting facelift. With the help of federal SmartBuilding funds managed by the Economic Development Corporation, approximately 3,000 inefficient 400w metal halide lights were replaced with energy saving 250w EverLast® variable-dimming induction high bay light fixtures manufactured by Jackson-based Full Spectrum Solutions, Inc.

“We were ready to spend the money needed to achieve the quality of light we were looking for,” stated Al Vasquez, Director of Engineering Services at COBO Center. “We were impressed with the quality of light and overall performance of the EverLast fixtures. We also sampled a number of LED fixtures from various manufacturers and found the light to be too glary. Stacked up against competing fixtures, EverLast lights graded better in terms of performance and price.”

The lighting upgrade was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and is part of the center’s $21 million energy saving construction program, which will also include roofing and insulation upgrades. The new lights are expected to save the convention center $340,000 annually. Together these projects will save approximately $900,000 a year, or approximately 12.5% of its energy bill and related maintenance.

“We needed lights that would drastically reduce our energy and maintenance costs, but they also needed to work with our existing Johnson Controls system,” stated Vasquez. “By installing variable dimming high bays, our facility engineers are able to achieve the desired footcandles for a given event by programming the lights to show low, show high, and maximum mode depending on the event.”

EverLast® induction light fixtures are 50-70% more energy efficient than metal halides and last up to 100,000 hours, making them virtually maintenance free for up to 15 years. “When you consider the size and ceiling height of the 700,000 square foot building, not having to replace lamps nearly as often is a huge benefit for both economic and safety reasons,” Vasquez said. “EverLast really rose to the occasion in many ways and everyone is very pleased with both the product and service.”

                                   Before                               After

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About EverLast® Lighting:  EverLast® Lighting is a subsidiary of Full Spectrum Solutions, Inc. and has quickly grown into the leading manufacturer of energy-efficient lighting solutions for roadway, parking structure, facility and area lighting applications. For additional product information, visit www.everlastlight.com, call 888-383-7578 or send an email to info@everlastlight.com.

For press inquiries, contact Kyle Leighton at 517-783-3800 ext.231 or email at kyle@everlastlight.com. 

If you would like to support EverLast®, please follow EverLast® on Twitter or visit them on Facebook.

Southern California’s Leading Electrical Contractor Installs Energy-Efficient Lights in “Green” Facility

EverLast® Bi-Level Induction Fixtures Work in Conjunction with Solar Panels and Daylight Harvesting Controls

Taft Electric Company selects energy-efficient EverLast® induction light fixtures from Greentech LLC to illuminate its new “green” electrical prefabrication shop located in Ventura, California. The electrical contracting company also plans to install solar panels in conjunction with daylight harvesting controls as part of its commitment to sustainability.

“We wanted what we feel are the most energy-efficient light fixtures in order to lessen our electricity load and reduce the amount of solar panels needed to power the lights,” stated David Fabulich, Preconstruction Manager at Taft Electric Company.

EverLast® high bays, wall packs, and shoe box fixtures illuminate the shop as well as exterior walkways and parking lots. “The return on investment is very favorable when you factor in maintenance, installation, and energy cost savings,” stated Fabulich.  “Induction was a logical decision for us because LEDs (light emitting diodes) are still overpriced and have, typically, half the lifecycle of the fixtures we chose.”

Adaptive occupancy sensors provide additional energy and cost savings by dimming the already energy-efficient induction fixtures to 40% power when an area is vacant. When triggered by motion, the sensor powers the fixture back up to full illumination.

EverLast® bi-level induction light fixtures are ideal for applications that are unoccupied during parts of the day yet minimal lighting is required for safety purposes. Parking structures, parks, and parking lots are other applications where adaptive bi-level lighting is beneficial.  

“Everything from EverLast’s upfront sales support to the installation has been seamless,” stated Fabulich. “Their help in providing photometrics and developing a lighting layout allowed us to achieve higher lumens per watt using fewer fixtures. We’ve received a lot of compliments about the quality of light produced by the lower-wattage, instant restrike fixtures.”