A long-time sponsor of the Integrated Home Competition (IHC) hosted by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), ALA would like to encourage our manufacturer members to submit their new innovative energy-saving products in the Lighting. Lighting Controls, and Ceiling Fan categories for consideration.
“Entering the IHC continues to be a path for our ALA members to be a part of the growing and important trend involving connected products and integrated homes,” explains Terry McGowan, FIES, LC, ALA’s director of engineering and technology, adding, “Winning products receive a year of promotions and exhibits at home and building trade shows in the U.S. and Canada organized by the CEE.”
Lighting has played a pivotal role in energy efficiency. “Residential lighting was the first to be recognized as a way to make homes more flexible, comfortable, and responsive to user needs as well as more energy-efficient,” McGowan explains. “Not only has it helped to kick off the integrated home market, valued at nearly $30 billion according to CEDIA, but lighting has dropped from 15% of an average home’s electricity usage to about 6 percent (according to 2022 DOE data) and the energy reduction continues as more homeowners replace their incandescent and fluorescent bulbs with LEDs.”
It's not too late to enter the 2024 edition of the IHC. The deadline to complete the Request to Submit form is March 29, and the submission process has been streamlined for greater ease of participation.
ALA believes this prestigious competition elevates the lighting and ceiling fan industry by rewarding those manufacturers who spend considerable research and development in creating products that save consumers energy while increasing their comfort of their homes.
The CEE’s vision for the IHC is to promote systems such as lighting, water heating, and HVAC that all seamlessly communicate and optimize value to customers and the grid.
The ALA has been one of the sponsors and organizers of this annual competition since its inception in 2002, when it was known as the “Lighting for Tomorrow” competition. “It has remained consumer-focused on promoting ‘the-best-of-the-best’ residential lighting and fan products,” notes McGowan, who has been involved with the program from the start.
CEE Executive Director John Taylor adds, “Over the past few years of this competition, it has been a thrill and an honor to see the development of new products that help homeowners enhance comfort, save money, and decarbonize their homes. We can’t wait to see what this year’s entries bring.”
Beginning with this year, the IHC will be judged separately by load type. The 2024 Competition cycle will feature small load products including lighting, controls, and ceiling fans; larger loads (i.e. HVAC and water heating) will be featured in 2025.
Notable winners from 2023 included innovative systems such as the Midea Packaged Window Heat Pump, the Harvest Thermal Harvest Pod, and American Lighting’s Spektrum+ Lighting system. All previous winners can be viewed here.
What You Win
Winning submissions gain invaluable recognition and promotion from high-profile Competition Sponsors, such as the American Lighting Association, UL Solutions, Building Performance Association, and RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network), among many others.
According to the competition’s organizers, winners may receive:
• Press releases to consumer and trade publications
• A feature on the IHC website
• Speaking opportunities at webinars with CEE member utilities
• Presence at key industry events
• Brochures and pamphlets for promotional events
• Consideration for pilot programs with member utilities
Plus, all entrants receive insight and direction from an expert panel of judges on future utility needs.
How to Enter
1. Review the entry requirements for your product category
Review the entry requirements for your product category or reach out to competition@cee1.org to discuss your unique connected product or system.
2. Complete your Request to Submit form (submissions due March 29)
The Request to Submit is simple – just share your contact info, product description, and link to product spec sheet(s). Once you complete the Request to Submit the competition sponsors will begin to review your entry.
3. Finalists Selected (April)
Selected finalists will be asked to provide additional product information, as well as a sample product for installation. Full requirements will be provided to finalists.
Finalists will be evaluated by the expert judging panel in June.
4. Winners Notified in July
Winning products will be asked to complete a confidential cybersecurity review and share high-resolution photos for the award presentations and promotional materials.
All finalists will also receive feedback on their entries.
Entry information can be found here.