Maybe we could turn these off during the daytime?

When Envision Lighting Design, LLC first became an ActOnEnergy Program Ally, we blogged about the great rebates available for replacing old T12 lamps. Today Ameren wants to remind its customers that the end of this great deal is near.
T12 Announcement
ActOnEnergy announces its next T12 bonus ramp-down will go into effect June 1, 2012.  This ramp-down will permanently reduce the current 10% bonus to 5% on lighting projects that replace T12 lamps or fixtures. Once the incentive bonus amount is reduced, T12 replacement projects can never receive better incentives than what is currently being offered. 
Take advantage of this last opportunity to get an additional 10% cash incentive for your replacement opportunities. There is still time left to submit and complete a project!

As always, If you want to know more about rebates available through the ActOnEnergy program, contact Envision Lighting Design!

Last week I had my site visit from the State of Missouri OEO inspector. Some of you have asked whether or not I am a WBE (Woman-owned Business Enterprise.) Good news! She successfully confirmed that day that I am a woman and that I own Envision Lighting Design, LLC. 
Now that ENvisionLD is a State of Missouri certified WBE, what other certifications are important to pursue? I know that there are Federal Woman-owned Business listings too, plus other State of Missouri options. Which ones have reciprocity? Which ones do you consider important? Let us know!

Last week I installed a new light fixture in my office at Envision Lighting Design, LLC! I removed a two-lamp 4' T12 daylight fluorescent wraparound fixture with wooden endcaps, very 1985 top-of-the-line builder's grade. The new one is a Focal Point surface mounted 3' diameter Skydome with six 2' 3000K T5 fluorescent lamps. I have always loved the way these fixtures look like skylights when they are illuminated. It adds style to the space and offers a better quality of light. The other lights pictured are MusicLites from Sylvania. (They are LED replacements with an integral speaker. Using their universal adapter and wireless remote, I can stream Pandora from my computer through my lights while I work. Oh yeah. Novelty. Fun. Perhaps they flicker when dimmed, but I pretend not to notice because they are so much fun.)

The most difficult part of the Skydome installation was prying the fixture open before it was installed so that I could actually do the installation. It is an intentionally tight fit, and before the fixture is installed getting leverage is impossible. Finally after two days - and help from Nate, Todd, Darin, Tony, Paul, and Ivy - I was able to get my fingers far enough in between the lens housing and the gasket to pry the front from the back plate. Crazy! (I was going to include a picture of the crease in my finger after this success, but I will spare you.) How has an electrician ever done this on a job site? To their credit, Focal Point tells me they are now looking into ways of shipping the two pieces disengaged. Three cheers for a manufacturer who is always trying to improve their customers' experiences!!! All-in-all this was a challenge for me to install, but the rest of my challenges were almost certainly due to my lack of experience. I learned a little from the process and now I have better lighting in the office. That's a win! Here are some photos of the journey: