Lutron Unveils Greener Motorized Shading

New and greener shading solutions have been announced by Lutron Electronics at CEDIA Expo 2009.

The company's Sivoia QS wireless solution includes a clock that allows the programming of "scenes," much like lighting scenes that bring certain lights on at certain levels for specific tasks like art or mood lighting.

Lutron will promote energy-saving shading scenes such as winter warmth and summer cool. A "winter warmth" scene, for example, would open shades or drapes to let in light to warm a space and use less lighting. A "summer cool" scene would close the shades to keep a room cooler on hot days and conserve energy.

Motorized window treatments have long been a great way to conserve energy by warming or cooling a room and using less lighting, but until now the ecological advantages of motorized shading has gotten little traction.

"People are now realizing the benefit of solar heating in the winter and blocking the sun in the summer," says David Weinstein, vice president of residential sales for Lutron.

The Sivoia QS will work with Lutron's new RadioRa 2 wireless lighting control system, or it can work with the wired HomeWorks system.

Lutron also announced that its Gallery Collection of shades is 80 percent PVC-free. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is used often in the manufacturing of shades.