World's First Battery Operated Shades.

That’s what the folks call their new Serena Remote Controlled Shades. Want to lower the shades for the perfect movie-watching environment, or ensure privacy in the bathroom, or turn bedrooms into the ultimate relaxation chamber - all by remote control? Well you can, ---- otherwise that long lead-in would have been a waste of time! Lutron Electronics, known for its lighting controls is launching a new product in its shading category. Yes, shading, not shady. Lutron’s Serena is a low-cost, battery-powered, remote controlled, cellular shade system. Prices start at $299. I saw and played with them at Eco-Fest and asked why they were at a “green” event. I thought they were ordinary paper shades, but then the folks there showed the cellular construction that can help keep out heat in the summer, and hold in heat in the winter. Serena shades are available in three fabric styles, for three different levels of light to filter into a room—Single Cell Light Filtering, Double Cell Light Filtering or Single Cell Blackout. They’re available in more than 50 different colors, to match your shades with any your décor. Another interesting features is something Serena calls Triathlon power technology, which extends the shade’s battery life up to three years. The three-year figure is based on raising and lowering each blind twice every day. And it uses standard alkaline D batteries. The company says Serena blinds can be installed as quickly and easily as hanging a picture, with no damage to the walls. And since the batteries are right in the top of the unit, there’s no power wiring. If I recall correctly, all shades up to 3’ X 5’ custom cut to your exact measurements are $299, plus $15 for the remote. If you order more shades, one remote can control them all. Remotes can be IR or RF controlled. IR remotes (like the one your TV uses) are a low-cost way to provide remote control. Additionally, IR “codes” can be learned into some universal remotes—giving you the ability to control your Serena IR shades from the same remote you use for your TV. Our RF remotes have two benefits over IR. First, the flexibility of the Pico RF remote means you don’t need to point the remote at the shade. You can hold it in your hand, keep it docked on your table in a pedestal, or even mount it to a wall using an optional faceplate adapter and faceplate. Second, RF signals can go through anything that isn’t metal. 

Visit www.serenashades.com for more info or to order.