Highlights from Hong Kong International Light Fair (HKILF) include exciting new products for boosting energy-efficiency to new heights in home and office illumination.   As the largest autumn light fair in Asia, the HKILF introduces new items from home appliances to maintenance-free landscape lighting and novel LED products.

image from HKILF*

The Hong Kong International Light Fair continues to grow and gain recognition as the world’s most important platform for introducing novel lighting designs and new energy-enriched products.

The 16th edition of the HKILF (Autumn Edition) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre attracted 180,000 global buyers.* and was the most well-attended, as well as the biggest on record.

“Last year, the four-day event attracted 2,360 exhibitors from 38 countries and regions and produced strong visitor turn-out, with more than 38,000 buyers from 144 countries and regions in attendance.”–www.enlightenmentmag.com october 2014

Show highlights include:

• Energy-efficient, eco-friendly “LED and Green Lighting Zones” looking to meet international sustainability requirements.

• New Product Platforms

• Information Exchange Platforms

• New Trends and Styles

–LED and “green” lighting products are expected to see the highest sales growth in 2015.*

–Retail prices of LED lamps are expected to drop by 8 percent by the end of 2015.*

Temperatures are falling rapidly, and some regions of the country have already seen snow. With winter settling in, renters and homeowners are cranking up their thermostats to stay warm and cozy while bracing themselves for a big bump in utility bills due to heating costs. Savvy consumers looking for a way to save money without sacrificing comfort might ask: Can I cut down on my winter heating budget if I lower the thermostat and make up the difference with an electric space heater?

Fuel Matters

Savings are possible, though, no matter what kind of central heat you have. According to Grist magazine, if you are using a space heater for less than one half to one third of your living space, and you lower the temperature on your thermostat for the rest of it, you can save money even if your main heater is an efficient gas model. So if your family spends most of its winter indoor time in just a few rooms of the house, go ahead and experiment with a portable heater and see if you can reduce your bills.

For even more savings, don't forget to take other steps to winterize your home, like sealing any drafty areas and hanging heavy curtains. Wear a sweater, too, so you can minimize the amount of time you need the extra boost in warmth from your heater.

Finally, avoid kerosene heaters if at all possible. They pose a greater fire hazard than electric models and can affect your indoor air quality. If they are your only option, take extra care to comply with the safety instructions. Only refuel outside and be sure the indoor space where it is used is properly ventilated. Some kerosene heaters are even illegal in certain areas, so be sure to check your local laws before you buy.

The federal Energy Star program does not rate portable heaters, but the Energy Department does provide more information about specific types of space heaters.

Your local Mister Sparky® electrician is always available to help with advice on choosing and using your space heater safely.

It is the rare person who does not deal with electrical appliances today. Most people watch television, turn the oven on to cook food, or simply pop frozen foods into the microwave. With electricity pouring through virtually every home, everyone should be aware of the following electrical safety precautions:

All of these electrical safety precautions should be remembered by adults working with electrical appliances. If you know someone who isn’t aware of any precaution on this list, send them here to learn. It could save a life!