Design agency embraces energy-saving lighting 
(26/12/2007)
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, they would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year - more than $600 million in annual energy costs - and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.
Elements of Design, an interior design studio based in Scottsdale, Ariz. has announced a strategic partnership with AKA Green. Elements of Design plans to implement environmentally friendly, “green” product alternatives into their design practices. Elements of Design is the first luxury residential design studio to partner with AKA Green.
“Incorporating green elements into a home is much easier than it used to be, thanks to the plethora of new products that continually enter the market. From furniture to paint, the options have greatly evolved since the initial wave of early adoption, prototypical products,” says Lina Quintero, Elements of Design owner and lead designer. “Whether it is something as fundamental as lighting, or a design element such as flooring or countertops, a green home will appear just as sophisticated and stylish as a home designed with non-sustainable, environmentally harmful products. How can any responsible studio elect not to integrate green products when it is so easy?”
“We are delighted to partner with Elements of Design. The green movement is here to stay and Lina and her staff have the foresight and commitment to help it mature in our market,” says Jeff Frost, co-founder of AKA Green. “Going green doesn’t mean you have to go to extremes. It is just common sense and being aware of what is available, so you can make intelligent choices when products dovetail within your design or construction goals.”
Quintero recently installed CFL (compact fluorescent lights) into her 7,000-square-foot showroom, reducing electric consumption more than 75% while quadrupling the overall life (hours) of the bulbs. While it was done to be eco-friendly in nature, the installation is rapidly paying for itself with a savings of over $200 monthly.
Related categories: Energy efficiency Lamps Residential
