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Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe’s says it is the first national retailer to offer consumers an Energy Start-rated LED A-Line bulb. 

Throughout the downturn of the last four years or so we have seen the lumber and building materials industry shrink dramatically. Some estimates of sales shrinkage at the dealer level put it beyond 50%. In some markets, that estimate is absurdly low. There is no denying that everyone in all segments and steps in the chain is battered. Unfortunately, even the homeowner/consumer is somewhat damaged as well. 


California is phasing out its incandescent light bulbs, and the first one to go will be the 100-watt variety, according to an article in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

The California Energy Commission said the old-fashioned bulbs wasted about 90 percent of their electricity emitting heat instead of visible light. The agency estimates California consumers will save $35.6 million in unnecessary energy costs in one year.

The vast majority of consumers are not recycling their compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, and the result is tons of mercury released into the environment, according to an article in the Contra Costa Times. Statistics provided by the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers estimate that only 2% of consumers and one-third of businesses recycle CFL bulbs. 

Describing the 2011 National Hardware Show as a "near sold-out event," organizers said more than 500 new suppliers will be participating in the May 10-12 even in Las Vegas.

“We are excited at the depth of suppliers signed up for the 2011 National Hardware Show,” said Rich Russo, event director, National Hardware Show. “We will see more of the industry’s biggest brand names on the Show floor, including some that haven’t been with us in a few years.” 

Activant Solutions Inc. and Lumbermens Merchandising Corp. (LMC) have announced an expansion of their 20-year marketing relationship, which will offer the building materials co-op access to the Activant Eagle system and the Activant Catalyst platform. More than half of LMC’s 360 members run their businesses on Activant Solutions, according to the announcement.

A recent study by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center compared moisture resistance among typical residential exteriors and found brick veneer provided the highest in moisture resistance and dryness.

Leviton has launched a campaign to encourage homeowners and businesses to evaluate their lighting control needs in order to make the kinds of decision that could make a difference in energy consumption. 

The "Make the Switch" campaign in support of Earth Day 2011 includes the educational campaign "10 Smart Tips for a Greener Home.' Among the tips:

• Dimming lights 25% cuts energy usage by 20% and extends a bulbs life four times longer;