Episode 517: The DLC: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?

Adam Chetakian, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Apprime Lighting, has over 30 years in the game. He, Michael and Greg address the dirty secret behind the LED retrofit world: fixtures that die young and end up in landfills. Adam’s here to flip the script with a patented, tool-less, replaceable light engine that saves time, money, and the planet 🌍.💡 Topics covered: Why LED “efficiency” betrayed fixture longevity The rise of modular, sustainable lighting solutions How Apprime’s tech slashes install time from 10 minutes to 25 seconds The future of circular economy in lighting Why contractors need to “own the fixture location” again 🎯 Whether you're an ESCO, distributor, or sustainability engineer, this episode is your blueprint for reclaiming control and cutting waste. Plus, some spicy takes on Europe’s TM66 rating.👉 Watch now and join the movement to make lighting smarter, longer-lasting, and landfill-free.#LightingRevolution #CircularEconomy #LEDRetrofit #Sustainability #GripLockSystems #GetAGripOnLighting #APPRIMELighting #DLCReform #LightingIndustryConnect with Adam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/apprime-lighting YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@apprimelighting Apprime Lighting: www.apprimelighting.com  Sponsor: Griplock Systems, griplocksytems.com

Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich declare a full-blown crisis in the lighting industry’s “right to repair.” From inaccessible drivers screwed into joists to obsolete Cat5 control systems and $300 can lights that can't be fixed, the guys expose the absurdity of modern lighting design. Real-world stories from schools, churches, and health clubs reveal how LED upgrades have turned into long-term liabilities. 💡 Topics Covered: Why customers are buying double fixtures just to stock backups The nightmare of replacing drivers buried in ceilings The rise and fall of Cat5-based lighting controls How “lighting as a service” might actually make sense now The emotional toll of unrepairable lighting systems "You literally have to cut the ceiling out to fix the light." — Michael Colligan Sponsor: Barron Lighting Group, barronltg.com

[Note: This episode contains important visuals. It is recommended to watch the video.] In this explosive episode of Get a Grip on Lighting (previously streamed live), industry lawyer David Radulescu joins Michael and Greg to dissect the legal and ethical challenges facing the DesignLights Consortium (DLC). What started as a podcast turned crusade now confronts the rebate gatekeeper head-on.💥 What’s Inside:• Why DLC’s tax-exempt status may be on shaky ground • The Energy Star exit: is DLC next? • 370,000 listed products—but 15 manufacturers dominate 58% • Opaque vendor relationships, questionable governance, and Article 7 scrutiny • Radulescu’s neutral but razor-sharp legal analysis—30 slides, days of prep, and no punches pulled📉 “The electrons aren’t worth the squeeze.” 📈 “Over 50% of LED revenue goes to certification vendors.” 📎 Watch this if you care about rebates, transparency, and the future of lighting standards.Connect with David:https://www.radip.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/davidradulescu/ 

 In this electrifying episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, we sit down with Tom Kieffer of Service Lighting (aka LightBulbs.com)—a 40-year veteran who's still pushing boundaries and saving clients up to 85% on lighting costs. But this isn't just about retrofits and wattage. It's about honor, innovation, and rebellion. 💡 What’s Inside Tom’s take on why most lighting design is broken—and how to fix it The truth about wall packs (spoiler: “light pukers” 🚫) Why the lighting industry needs to grow a pair and say NO to bad fixtures A fiery debate on DLC, free fixture programs, and market fairness The rise of Starry Skies North and the fight against light pollution How NAILD is leading the charge on darkness restoration education Real talk on lighting distributors, contractors, and who really knows lighting  ⚡️ If you sell light bulbs, install fixtures, or care about the future of lighting—this one’s for you. #LightingIndustry #DarkSky #DLC #LightingDesign #NAILD #GetAGripOnLighting #TomKieffer #LightBulbsDotCom #StarrySkies #LightingReform #PodcastConnect with Tom:lightbulbs.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkieffer/[email protected] Sponsor: Satco, satco.com, @satco

Is the DLC a wolf in sheep's clothing? Michael and Greg lay it out. The live stream experienced some technical difficulties, so here it is in full.

🔥 Buckle up for a bold ride through the lighting industry! Mike & Greg give you a brief recap of the Nailed Convention, and challenge the DLC to display their transparency values by inviting them and D+R to speak up on the Get a Grip on Lighting Podcast this Friday.  Plus, you’ll get some classic Mike & Greg banter, including a wild donkey analogy that somehow makes perfect sense. #LightingIndustry #LightingDistribution #TransparencyTalk #IndustryVoices #DLCdebate Connect with Greg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-ehrich-2b375a2/  Connect with Michael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-colligan-64380016/

Alan Karen of Satco is the OG, the original gangster of lighting. With his 30-year journey in lighting, Alan brings wisdom, grit, and heart to the mic. 🔥 What’s inside: The evolution of lighting distribution and Satco’s game-changing portal Why relationships still matter in a tech-driven world The story behind the Guiding Light Award and the H Foundation’s fight against cancer (www.hfoundation.org) Real talk on lamp bans, tariffs, and the future of lighting legislation A passionate defense of the right to repair and the role of lighting distributors  Alan, Michael, and Greg tackle this episode with insight, humor, and inspiration. 💡 “We don’t dictate to the market—we supply it.” – Alan Karen  #LightingIndustry #Satco #AlanKaren #RightToRepair #LightingPodcast #GetAGripOnLighting #HFoundation #GuidingLightAward #LEDRevolution #LightingDistributors Connect with Alan: https://twitter.com/SATCOPRODUCTS https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-karen-02a16b8/   Sponsor: Satco, www.satco.com

In this episode, we sit down with Tom Butters—lighting educator, and Founder & Executive Director of The Lighting Agora—for a no-holds-barred conversation on the state of lighting education, the evolution of the industry, and what to expect at the Canada Light Expo, November 12-13 (canadalightexpo.com). From the value of in-person learning to the challenges of brand-driven training, Tom brings clarity, candor, and a touch of rebellion to the mic. 💡 Whether you're a seasoned lighting pro or just curious about the future of the industry, this episode delivers insight, honesty, and a few laughs along the way. #LightingEducation #TomButters #CanadaLightExpo #LightingAgora #GetAGripOnLighting #Podcast Connect with Tom: Https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-butters-lc-20416551/ Https://lightingagora.com/ Https://www.nlb.org/  Sponsor: Barron Lighting Group, barronltg.com

In this episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, we welcome back Al Uszynski—founder of Inside Lighting (inside.lighting) and one of the most respected voices in lighting journalism—for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of the lighting industry. 📰 From the launch of the new Lumy Awards to the controversy surrounding DLC, Al shares candid insights into the role of journalism, the need for industry reform, and the importance of stakeholder engagement. This isn’t just a conversation—it’s a call to action. 💥 Topics covered: The creation and vision behind the Lumy Awards 🏆 Why journalism matters in lighting—and how Inside Lighting is changing the game The DLC debate: prescriptive rebates, transparency, and calls for a five-year moratorium Industry leadership, contested elections, and the future of IES How trade organizations can better serve their members   🔗 Learn more athttps://www.insidelighting.com🔗 Visithttps://www.naild.org #LightingIndustry #InsideLighting #LumyAwards #DLC #NAILD #LightingPodcast #GetAGripOnLighting #AlUszynski #LightingJournalism #EnergyEfficiency #TradeOrganizations Connect with Al: Https://inside.lighting/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/inside-lighting/ Https://www.instagram.com/inside.lighting/ https://twitter.com/InsLighting https://www.facebook.com/InsideLighting/   Sponsor: Halco, www.halcolighting.com,

This episode tackles the hidden pitfalls of LED lighting with two seasoned designers who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. Rachel and Anne expose how the promise of long-lasting LEDs often falls short—especially in demanding environments like airports and hotels.🔧 Key Points: LEDs Aren’t Forever: Despite marketing claims, many fixtures fail within 3–7 years. Repairability Crisis: Most modern fixtures can’t be fixed, turning “sustainable” designs into landfill. Design Smarter: Specifying maintainable fixtures and attic stock upfront is crucial. Call for Standards: The industry needs enforceable guidelines to stop the throwaway trend. It’s a bold, insightful conversation that urges lighting pros to rethink what “sustainable” really means.Connect with Rachel: Stantec.com www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-fitzgerald-44901839/  Connect with Anne: Akld.net www.linkedin.com/in/annekustnerhaser/  Sponsor: Griplock Systems, griplocksystems.com