D OW N LOA D
NYC
Investing in
Efficiency
In NYC, vacancy sensors are
helping schools save energy
and money. The Department of
Education, with funding from the
DCAS Energy Management ACE
Program, is working to install the
sensors in 90 school buildings
across the boroughs.
Vacancy sensors detect body
heat in order to determine whether
anyone is in the classroom and
turn lights on or off. This small
technology means huge savings,
cutting as much as 45% of total
lighting energy use. In fact, the
sensors are expected to save over
17 million kilowatt hours per year,
reducing greenhouse gas emissions
by 3,000 metric tons.
This initiative is part of DCAS
Energy Management’s larger
project of reducing greenhouse
gas emissions by retrofitting older
city-owned buildings to be more
efficient. Currently, there are over
160 energy efficiency projects for
city-owned buildings in progress.
Crowdsourcing
for Success
Pulling information or resources from a large number of people,
or crowdsourcing, continues to play an important and versatile
role in technological innovation. Here are three ways you can put
crowdsourcing into practice.
Î Î
Crowdsource investors to launch your product idea. Instead of relying on
two or three big investors, you can use crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter
or Indiegogo to pitch your idea to the masses and get smaller donations
from a larger number of people.
Î Î
Crowdsource consumer feedback to polish and perfect your business offer-
ings. Actively seek feedback and make opportunities for consumers to tell
you both what they like about your products and what additional products
they wish you sold.
Î Î
Crowdsource innovation within your organization. Increasingly, companies
are developing intranet platforms where employees can pitch ideas to upper
management. The result is a steady stream of ideas to draw from.
We’re surrounded by light, both natural and
artificial—but now indoor bulbs can help optimize
workflow morning, noon, and night. Helia, a brand
of SORAA, whose lights illuminate world-class
museums and hotels, recently unveiled a new line of
environmentally friendly light bulbs for the home or
office. These full-spectrum LED lights mimic natural
sunlight by following the cycle of the sun from sunrise to
sunset. The bulbs change and emit different colors of light
to imitate shifting daylight, which prevents the artificial
glow from disrupting your productivity during the day—
or your sleep at night.
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HERE’S HOW THEY WORK
THROUGHOUT THE DAY:
Î Î MORNING. Bulbs emit crisp white
light with blue light levels that
enhance alertness.
Î Î MIDDAY. Bulbs radiate warmer white
light with a blend of blue light that
keeps you focused.
Î Î EVENING. Bulbs give off soft white
light, totally removing blue light
to increase melatonin levels and
promote better sleep patterns.
Healthy Light,
Healthy Life