The Lighter Side Blog

Recessed Lighting in Your Home July 9, 2008

Recessed lights are usually used by architects and interior designers in rooms where the residents aim for a relaxed and soothing lighting effect. Recessed lighting is considered preferable to the use of multiple standing and side table lamps based on the mood they can induce in the occupant of the room. You will discover why interior designers are using recessed lighting when you enter a room that has recessed lights in them – to see is to believe, as they say.

The experts may recommend that you have recessed lights installed in your hallways and/or kitchen, to get the best use out of this form of lighting. Recessed lights are installed in the form of canister lights that will fit the holes in the ceiling they were fitted for. You will probably need an experienced electrician to guide the installation team in the installation of your recessed lighting, so that the finished work results with the recessed lights set flush with the ceiling structure without compromising safety.

In the US, recessed lights may be known by other names, namely “can lights” or perhaps as “high hats”, while in Canada recessed lights are dubbed “pot lights” instead.

Replacing old light fixtures with new can lights requires thorough computation of the total energy that will be used by the can lights everyday compared to the energy consumption of the old light fixtures. One problem with many structures is over-illumination that results in soaring electricity bills (with the problem made worse when can lights are installed in areas that not many people see anyway, and so cannot be appreciated.) Thus it is important the cost to install can lights and to maintain them, to be able to justify their usage.

If you are faced with a complicated can lighting installation procedure, you may need the assistance of a professional lighting engineer who will guide the installation team in how to install can lighting. The lighting engineer should not only know how to install can lighting, he should be able to assess where the can lighting is really needed, and how many can lights should be placed in different parts of the structure. If occupants later develop health problems like headaches, or high blood pressure perhaps, that may be caused by over-illumination of the interiors of the building, you should wonder whether the lighting engineer knew how to install can lighting properly in the first place, rather than ask why interior designers are using recessed lighting nowadays.

If you are in doubt as to the specifications to be used for your recessed lighting or can lights, you may consult The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (also called IESNA) which sets the photometric standards for lighting equipment for manufacturers. This photometric data will show you how much light is distributed exactly by a certain form of lighting. This data should guide your lighting engineer as to the right type of recessed lighting and their specifications when mapping out the can lighting installation procedure for you and the contractor.

Under the Influence of Nature July 8, 2008

Home Lighting Fixtures July 3, 2008

The right lighting fixtures can work wonders for your home. Useful not only for illuminating certain tasks, the right lighting can also serve to accentuate your home’s décor. If carefully chosen and properly installed, light fixtures can add beauty and drama both indoors and outdoors. Likewise, the right type of lighting can boost safety and comfort in and around your residence.

It is an obvious fact that light fixtures are a necessity in modern homes. We all need lighting to function well and accomplish all sorts of tasks. Despite this fact, many individuals are not aware of the best types of light fixtures or the right ways to use lighting arrangements. Proper lighting arrangements can not only boost functionality but can also complement and enhance your home decorating style.

Understanding the fundamentals of lighting is key in selecting home lighting fixtures. A good home lighting plan should include task, general, and accent lights to provide lighting that is not only effective but also attractive and stylish. Light fixtures can be top decorating accessories, changing the tone of any room in your home, while being less expensive than many other home decorating products.

Light fixtures are not just for use indoors. When thoughtfully arranged, home lighting fixtures can enhance the exterior of your property by illuminating paths and brightening doorways, simultaneously preventing accidents and deterring intruders. Exterior light fixtures can both brighten and beautify your garden, pond, deck, fountain, trees, shrubs, and driveways, adding value to your property. Meant to last a lifetime, high-quality lighting adds beauty and value to your home. Visit Lighting4sale, an American Lighting Association member lighting showroom for exceptional lighting, advice and service.

Kitchen Island Lighting with Pendants July 2, 2008

There is little as annoying as a dimly-lit kitchen island. In order to be practical in the kitchen, you need to be able to see well. Though the necessity for lighting in this area is obvious, choosing the right lighting can be very distressing for many.

Decorative pendant lights work perfect for lighting an island, while also adding style to your kitchen’s decor. You might use a combination of two or three pendant lights over a kitchen island for an even more appealing look. A dimmer switch, used in conjunction with pendants, allows for bright task lighting to effectively brighten the area for food preparation or homework, while allowing the lights to be lowered for entertaining guests or simply to create a charming atmosphere. Fluorescent light fixtures can also be used to light a kitchen island, as can recessed lights positioned overhead.

There are many styles of pendant lights from which to choose. You can find pendant lighting to fit any type of kitchen decor. Mini pendants work well with kitchen islands also and can be positioned to form a fashionable row of lights.

From sleek and modern to rich and ornate, the style choices are endless. Remember to select the highest-quality lighting you can afford and your fixtures will last for quite some time. Since good lighting both decorates and adds value to your property, you don’t want to skimp by selecting fixtures at your local bargain store. For the highest-quality lighting in all the latest styles, visit the Lighting4sale, an American Lighting Association member online showroom.

Planning Your Outdoor Lighting July 1, 2008

Outdoor lighting has transformed the porch and patio into a great setting for entertaining friends and family.

It’s fun to walk the perimeter of your house and mentally paint a picture of your lighting ideas and then later watch the nightscape take shape.

Make sure the lighting fixtures you choose are durable and will stand up to your weather conditions. Nobody wants to see a cheaply finished outdoor lighting fixtures fade or drip rust.

Plan so that your outdoor lighting fixtures match creating a streamlined look. We have a plethora of great styles that will put you in good light and will have the neighbors inquiring.

Consider deck lighting evenly spaced. Path lighting will walk people around your property with a friendly glow. I suggest using low voltage xenon light bulbs whenever possible for nice warm illumination and maintenance friendly operation. Always choose low voltage when considering landscape lighting.

For best results choose only one focal point to light up with great intensity. That means using a lighting fixture that will illuminate at least 3 times the foot-candles of your ambient path, deck and lantern lighting. Your focal point may be your favorite foliage, statue, pond or other personal treasure.

Wall sconces also known as wall lanterns are critical to lighting vertical surfaces and creating a soft evenly lighted exterior. I would recommend using nothing greater than 25 watt light bulbs in wall lanterns.

Stylish and durable portable outdoor lamps are gaining in popularity. We offer portable outdoor rated lamps that boast shades made of the same tough materials used for outdoor umbrellas. Convenient and versatile.

Kitchen Lighting June 30, 2008

Kitchen remodels are one of the most popular home improvement projects in the nation for good reason. Fewer areas of the home can benefit from upgrading old, outdated equipment and systems (plumbing, electrical, etc.) like a kitchen can. Aside from replacing old appliances with new ones that function better and making the room more pleasing to look at, replacing and reworking fixtures, workspaces, cabinetry, and other kitchen components can really turn a room into something unique and well-suited to the needs of your particular household. It doesn’t hurt, either, that homes with newly remodeled kitchens are both easier to sell and often recover a significant amount of construction costs in added market value!

Kitchen Lighting Basics
Homeowners who renovate their kitchens often breeze past one of the most important concerns: the kitchen lighting. It’s a common oversight because many homeowners mistakenly believe that they have to forego adequate kitchen lighting in order to use this room in a modern way. With good design, common sense, and some of the latest lighting technology, your kitchen can remain the center of life in your house while providing plenty of light for your work.

There are three major types of kitchen lighting:

Ambient lighting is the general light in the room. Good ambient light allows you to work safely in most areas of the kitchen and provides the overall lighting feel for the space.

Task lighting provides higher and more focused levels of light to a particular work area, keeping in mind the essence of getting the light to where you need it. This is mostly found in closets, pantries, cabinets, or drawers. Task lighting takes advantage of small light sources and makes specific jobs much easier.

Accent lighting is even more focused and highlights objects or areas you want to show off, such as artwork, glassware, or special pottery. Though this kind of kitchen lighting isn’t meant to make your workspace a more functional place, it can add an aesthetic touch to the room that will enhance the space and bring your newly remodeled kitchen to life.

Know Your Kitchen Lighting Options
There are many new products and ideas that can help you enhance the charm and form of every aspect of your kitchen; lighting might seem like a “no brainer” but it can be trickier than you think. The problem is that even well-informed homeowners might not know about all their options. In most cases, getting a little help from a professional will give you a far better idea not only of what’s available, but of how newer products (and older products, as well) are likely to perform and hold up.

Jon Nunan is a freelance writer who draws on his experience in construction, ranging from landscaping to log home building, for his articles on home improvement.

Ceiling Fan Spotlight: Star-Tech by Monte Carlo June 26, 2008

Functional… Sculpture, Architecture, Style.

52 in. Star-Tech fan with brushed steel finish and mahogany veneer blades. Unique oversize fan blades for increased air movement. Includes wall remote control with reverse and down light features.

Ceiling fans really do cut energy costs June 24, 2008

Are your customers getting hot under the collar about rising energy costs? If so, suggest they a ceiling fan.

Although ceiling fans do use electricity to operate, experts say the amount of money homeowners can save on air conditioning with a fan greatly outweighs the cost of running the fan itself.

“Ceiling fans provide year-round comfort and efficiency,” says Barb Wright, a ceiling fan product manager at Westinghouse Lighting.

Wright says the cost of operating a ceiling fan varies based on how often they’re turned on and how much the electric company charges, but on average, she says a standard ceiling fan costs less to operate than an incandescent light bulb.

Experts say ceiling fans reduce energy in two ways.

First, fans circulate the air in the room, preventing hot air from accumulating at the ceiling.

“A ceiling fan helps equalize the temperature throughout the room, so your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to keep the room cool,” says Scot Wetmore, marketing director at a large ceiling fan retailer.

When people are in the room, Wetmore says ceiling fans have the added benefit of making people feel cooler.

“Ceiling fans cool by evaporation, like a wind chill factor,” he says, adding that fans will make it feel like it’s about 6 degrees cooler in your home than it actually is, allowing you to set your thermostat 6 degrees higher. According to the Progress Energy, an energy company that services North and South Carolina and Florida, homeowners can save 7 to 10 percent of their cooling costs for each degree above 78.

And ceiling fans don’t just save money in the summer, either. Ceiling fans run counterclockwise in the summer, but ceiling fan manufacturers often include reverse switches on the ceiling fans, and by having the fan run clockwise in the winter, homeowners can reduce your heating bills, too.

“Changing the direction of the fan makes the air column go up toward the ceiling, and what it does is it drives air currents up on the ceiling to the wall and down the wall, and that helps redistribute heat from the ceiling. So it helps lower your heating bills by re-circulating the heat,” Wetmore explains.

If a ceiling fan also includes a light fixture, Wright says customers can maximize their energy savings by replacing the incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.

Wright says homeowners should also consider buying Energy Star-rated ceiling fans. “They are about 50 percent more efficient than conventional fan/light units with an estimated energy savings of $15 to $20 per year,” Wright says.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Web site, Energy Star-rated ceiling fans move air up to 20 percent more efficiently than conventional models due to advanced blade and motor design, and Energy Star-rated ceiling fans that have light fixtures are about 50 percent more efficient than kits with regular lights, and they produce about 75 percent less heat.

Several ceiling fan manufacturers make ceiling fans that meet the government’s Energy Star requirements, including Hunter, Sea Gull and Monte Carlo.

by Lauren Heist – Residential Lighting Magazine

Stylish Porcelina Ceiling and Pendant Lighting June 16, 2008