Incandescent light bulbs have served as our primary source of light for decades.  However, that is soon to come to an end.  The U.S department of Energy is imposing tough new efficiency standards for lighting .  Edison's light bulb will be banned by 2014. 

The curly fluorescent is the replacement for the incandescent bulb, but it is not perfect itself.  The more energy efficient curly bulbs contain mercury, which is a health risk, and people associate them with an unpleasant light.  To find a solution to get quality and quantity of light the U.S government is offering a $10 million prize called the L prize, to the company that builds the most efficient bulb with the most desirable light. 

Phillips was the first company to submit the first design to the L Prize.  The bulb features light emitting diodes also known as LEDs, which used 80 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb and half as much as compact fluorescent. "We've spent 15 years trying to perfect LED lighitng, trying to make it replicate the incandescent light bulb, and we are now on the verge o doing that,: DenBaars said.

However the Led bulb cost about 40 dollars per bulb.  On the up side it will last up to 10 or even 20 years, saving homeowners 300-600 dollars a year on energy bills. 

 

In the last couple weeks electricty rates have been shocking consumers nationwide.  I know in my area I have seen a huge increase in the rates.  With a couple easy reminders you can start to cut those bills down. 

1) Turn off Uneeded Lights:   Lighting is responsible for 11 percent of the bill and by turning off lights you are not using you are already saving.  Make sure everyone in the house is involved.  I have a six year old that turns on every light in the house and leaves them on.  We came up with a fun song about turning them off and saving electricity and now he will not leave a room with out making sure lights are off and water is not running.

2) Switch out Lighting:  CFL (compact flourescent bulbs) are well known for substancial energy savings.  They use 75% less energy than standard bulbs.  If you are like me I do not like the light from the CFL's but I do know they save energy so what I did was put them in different areas in my home which really needed them because of long hours of use.  I put them in all my outdoor Lighting because they are on for long hours and i do not have to look at the light.

3) Install Motion Sensors:   This works well for your outdoor lighting

4) Turn off computer at night and use a laptop instead of a desktop:  Laptops only draw 15-25 watts during regular use compared with 150 watts for a desktop.

These are just some small ways that you can use everyday to help lower your electric bill and save energy. 

One of my friends recently bought a home and wanted to have company over.
After she had agreed to the plans she realized that she did not have any lighting in her back yard. Being a new homeowner myself sometimes you can overlook what types of lighting will be needy and where it will be needed.  She called me up in a panic worried that we would be sitting inside on a gorgeous night or wondering if I could quickly put together a nice set up for her.  I sat at the store and picked out a nice outdoor lantern that fit her decor.  I ran some wire from her house up a tree and hung the lantern over the area that I wanted it to go.  To add some drama to the scene we installed some low voltage landscape lighting up and down her pathway, to provide a safe entrance and exit for guests.  Her yard has some amazing, dramatic trees that we installed some directional landscape lights to illuminate.  I have always wanted tiki lamps and one of our manufacturers just came out with a new low voltage landscape lighting tiki lamp, so I incorporated some of those into my design.  Let me tell you, when our friends came over to the house it was lit like a palace.  Landscape lighting can have such a dramatic effect, and also provide a safe and secure environment. 
Please feel free to contact me at 1800-922-1469 for advice or assistant on your landscape lighting layout. 

Grand Light was in attendance on Wednesday July 14th to a party hosted by the New Haven Register in which we were honored to have been presented with an award for Elm City's Best Lighting.  Thank you to all who voted for us!

A foyer chandelier is a great way to add light and spruce up your room, however many people do not know what a proper height should be to hang the chandelier.  In most rooms chandeliers are generally hung about 7' above the floor, but this is not always the case in the foyer.  It should never be below 7' but it can sometimes be above.  If the foyer is only one story but your ceilings are high then you should follow the rule of thumb that there should be at least 7'6" from the bottom of the chandelier to the floor.  The chandelier should also always be hung in the center of the room.  When installed in two-story foyer where the second story looks down to the first, the chandelier should not hang below the second floor. 

Keep in mind these are only certain guidelines.  You should always assess your fixture in your space and see what works best.

Everyone appreciates a ceiling light glass that is dust free. Below are two secrets to keeping your glass clean and particle free.

Option One - Wiping
Use a mild glass cleaner with a soft cloth and wipe gently. Be sure the light is turned off so you don't burn yourself. You should try to avoid using abrasive pads. Rinse the glass with warm water, and use a soft, dry cloth to dry the glass immediately after washing.

Option Two - Soaking

Take down any glass covers and soak them in a sink of warm soapy water to loosen the dirt, dust, and grime. Use a soft cloth to gently clean them. Rinse them well before drying to make sure there is no remaining residue.

Keeping your ceiling lamps clean will not only prevent fires, but also will create a pleasant environment for those around you, and alleviate symptoms for those allergic to dust. With these two secrets, cleaning is easy and hassle free.