Founded in 1961, Lutron Electronics is headquartered in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, in the heart of the Lehigh Valley. From dimmers for home, to lighting management systems for entire buildings, the company offers more than 17,000 energy-saving products, sold in more than 100 countries around the world. Mr. Ripu Daman Sharma, Country Manager Sales, India Subcontinent, Lutron Electronics spoke to Electronics Maker more about Lutron solutions and how they fit for consumers.
-
Highlights of the home automation industry in India?
Home automation technology is becoming the proverbial ‘Next Big Thing’ in the Indian landscape, due to the stellar connectivity, convenience and comfort it provides to people. As technology is diffusing across the length and breadth of the country, people are becoming aware of its countless benefits.
Home automation is finding a place in the lives of many middle-class and upper middle-class families. With smart home solutions becoming reasonable and easily accessible, the demand for the same is rising at a wild pace. An increase in the smartphone and tablet usage has also given the segment the much needed push. Moreover, government’s Smart Cities Mission initiative on building smart cities – the core of which is formed by the Internet of Things has provided a boost to the establishment of Home automation systems.
As per a report by Research and Markets, the home automation market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.63% in the coming 6 years. The future of the industry visualizes immense prospects of growth and development for technologically advanced and cost effective organization.
-
How is Lutron shaping/ altering lighting control needs?
Lutron believes in providing the best lighting solutions to its customers and enabling smart living with efficient lighting systems. Innovation is deeply ingrained in our system; hence we strive to come up with unique products that can meet the growing lighting-automation requirements of the residential and commercial segment.
Interestingly, every Lutron dimmer allows one to automatically save 10% in electricity—even at the highest lighting levels. Additionally, an external factor that is helping us change the way people view their lights is through the acceptance of technology.
Modern lighting systems as opposed to traditional lighting control like wall mounted switches, allows one to monitor lighting and heating/cool condition with an internet connection. So, one can switch off a light from their work place, with an app or via text and emails, if they have left it on or switch on an air-conditioners before entering their house. Lutron innovations, leading the market in high quality lighting controls, provides an individual with all these solutions from single room control like GRAFIK Eye® QS preset light and shade control system to total home control system like HomeWorks® QS.
Also, improving economic conditions and the increasing proliferation of smartphones; smart technologies are getting accepted and are also becoming more prevalent and affordable. Hence, we are pulling all stops to tap this market of the country and serve them in the best possible way through our line of inimitable products.
-
What are the benefits that Lutron solutions provide to its users? What are the Extra Valuation Points of Lutron?
Lutron believes in providing the best lighting solutions to its customers and enabling smart living with efficient lighting systems.
Lutron automated light control systems make a dramatic enhancement to one’s lifestyle, improve comfort, add convenience and save energy. Lutron technology enables one to stay connected with their home appliances/devices on their smart phones as well as Lutron aesthetic keypads and versatile wireless controllers.
Lutron has been working with different industry partners to make sure its lighting controls can integrate seamlessly with popular products and software in the market. Lutron has come up with a connect bridge, a smart box which work seamlessly with Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa to realize remote control of lights, shades and music via voice commands or smart devices. With Lutron lighting solutions, one can:
- Have total home control when one is out of town or out for an evening in a hassle-free & intelligent means with the Lutron mobile/tablet app
- Energy saving with unparalleled comprehensive home control solutions- to cater to the shortage of electricity in a country like India
- Reduce the cost associated with electricity bills- Lutron provisions households with energy saving dimmers that control the amount of lighting- more than a simple on or off, adjusting light to suit different needs be it for reading that requires brightness to be at its maximum, watching TV with minimal light etc. Lutron also allows one to save energy without sacrificing style or convenience.
Lutron remains today the only company in the world which designs and manufactures products to control both electric light and natural light. Lutron has always been the pioneer in lighting controls since our founder invented the first electronic rotary dimmer in 1960.
-
How have the Evolutions of switches been?
The lighting technology is continually transforming itself. With evolving technology, home automation and modern switches solutions are rapidly infiltrating our homes and offices.
Switches have gone through a massive change. Today, smart switches work by replacing your existing light switch or outlet, and enabling a connection between the switch and the internet. Modern lighting systems, as opposed to traditional lighting control like wall, mounted switches, allows one to monitor lighting and heating/cool condition with an internet connection.
Simple switches are now combined with modern technology to produce switches that are programmable and may have humidity sensors or occupancy sensors. Programmable switches include a variety of lighting controls such as dimmers and timers. Occupancy sensors use infrared technology for indoor and outdoor safety and convenience applications. Lutron patented, XCT technology, recognizes the difference between fine human motion and background noise.
-
What are the Key components of an intelligent building?
According to the World Economic Forum, “Wherever the new technologies have properly permeated the construction industry, the outlook is an almost 20 percent reduction in total life cycle costs of a project, as well as substantial improvements in completion time, quality and safety.”
Innovations come in various hues to improve the products and practices of the construction industry. They can be useful to implement green building norms, which are increasingly important to reduce the carbon footprints of various structures during construction itself. This is achieved by using energy-efficient technologies, alternative building materials and innovative construction techniques. Since such smart buildings entail lower energy and maintenance costs, within a few years the savings recoup the initial investments.
Smart technology in the form of simulation software is increasingly used in the design of buildings and cities with the aim of producing a built environment which achieves a high energy and environmental performance with a lesser need for technical systems and a lower energy demand during building operation.
In buildings/corporates, lighting controls are a key component for an intelligent building. Intelligent lighting controls have many advantages over manual ones, including:
- Convenience and creating ambience.
- Increased design flexibility.
- Energy savings.
- Reduced lamp replacement costs and security.
Lighting play accounts for 39% of annual electricity use. The figures climb higher in specialized settings such as healthcare facilities (43%) and hotels (55%). Lutron adopts various light control strategies to save energy including:
Potential savings
- High-end trimming 10-30% lighting
- Occupancy sensing 20-60% lighting
- Personal light control 10-20% lighting
- Daylight harvesting 10-30% lighting
- Plug load control 15-50% controlled loads
- HVAC integration 5-15% HVAC
- Controllable window shades 10-20% HVAC
- Time scheduling Variable
- Demand response Variable
- Preset scene control Variable
All the above strategies together can save up to 60% lighting energy and 20% HVAC energy.
6. How does Lutron fit into consumer’s vision of lighting needs?
Lutron enables consumers to make a dramatic enhancement to their lifestyle, improve comfort, add convenience and save energy. Lutron technology allows them to stay connected with their home appliances/devices even when they are away from home.
Lutron fulfils and delivers “CESC” capabilities – Convenience, Efficiency, Security and Comfort, something that is consumer always looking for.
Convenience: Easy access to manoeuvre, dim or increase the intensity of lights, control the opening and closing of shades etc, all with the touch of a button on ones tablet/smartphone or a dynamic keypad.
Efficiency: Managing the lights/shades in a big house is a constant struggle since once has to manually control the lights/shades/AV equipment etc. Such systems makes life of consumer simpler since the power to control rests in the palm of their hands.
Comfort: with enhanced control systems, automation will set their mood almost instantly without them undergoing any real effort.
Security: Using automation sensors and communications technology, consumers can carefully and constantly monitor their house security from anywhere which hence allows in creating safe, secure and comfortable environment.
CESC fulfils all these demands of a consumer.
