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Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Setting The Lights To The Correct Level - Part 2
Selecting your Light Dimmers
Light dimmers that create mood lighting
Now we have our 4 basic lighting positions, ceiling light, sofa table lamps, TV low level light and floor standing up-lighter, the next step is to select the light dimmers.
Before we discuss light dimmers for the living room, you may want to learn a little more about light dimmers and how to choose light dimmers.
To complete the lighting make over for our living room, we require 4 light dimmers, 3 free standing lamp dimmers and 1 in-wall dimmer.
Lutron In-Line Dimmer
Free Standing 300-Watt Lamp Dimmer
I use the Lutron Table Lamp Dimmer. This in-line dimmer is ideal for the living room lighting make over as it simply plugs in to a standard socket, then the lamp plugs in to the dimmer.
It’s simple to operate - a double tap switches full on
One pre-set light level - a single tap switches the lamp on to the last dimmed level
The are two buttons to dim up and dim down
You will require one Lutron Table Lamp Dimmer for each free standing lamp.
Lutron In-Wall Slide Dimmer
In wall light dimmer for the ceiling lights
The Lutron in wall incandescent light dimmer is ideal for the living room lighting make over as it simply replaces an existing light switch, as it only requires a 2 wire connection.
Again simple to operate, slide the button up and down to dim the lights. When the slider is fully down, the lights are switched off.
If you have 2 ceiling lights on a 2 gang switch, then you have a choice. You can either wire both lamps to one circuit, as it is unlikely you will ever want them dimmed to different levels, and in most cases, you will not need this light source, or if you do want to keep each light fitting on its own circuit, or you have ceiling lights and wall lights, then get the 2 gang Lutron in-wall slide dimmer.
Setting Mood Light Scenes
Good lighting will add entertainment value
This is the interesting and fun part as you now have the light fittings and the Lutron Light dimmers, you are ready to set up different mood lighting scenes.
I have given you some examples (see table below) on how to set the light values for different uses. Use this as a guide to start with, then adjust the settings to suite your own taste and what feels comfortable with you.
Light dimmers that create mood lighting
Now we have our 4 basic lighting positions, ceiling light, sofa table lamps, TV low level light and floor standing up-lighter, the next step is to select the light dimmers.
Before we discuss light dimmers for the living room, you may want to learn a little more about light dimmers and how to choose light dimmers.
To complete the lighting make over for our living room, we require 4 light dimmers, 3 free standing lamp dimmers and 1 in-wall dimmer.
Lutron In-Line Dimmer
Free Standing 300-Watt Lamp Dimmer
I use the Lutron Table Lamp Dimmer. This in-line dimmer is ideal for the living room lighting make over as it simply plugs in to a standard socket, then the lamp plugs in to the dimmer.
It’s simple to operate - a double tap switches full on
One pre-set light level - a single tap switches the lamp on to the last dimmed level
The are two buttons to dim up and dim down
You will require one Lutron Table Lamp Dimmer for each free standing lamp.
Lutron In-Wall Slide Dimmer
In wall light dimmer for the ceiling lights
The Lutron in wall incandescent light dimmer is ideal for the living room lighting make over as it simply replaces an existing light switch, as it only requires a 2 wire connection.
Again simple to operate, slide the button up and down to dim the lights. When the slider is fully down, the lights are switched off.
If you have 2 ceiling lights on a 2 gang switch, then you have a choice. You can either wire both lamps to one circuit, as it is unlikely you will ever want them dimmed to different levels, and in most cases, you will not need this light source, or if you do want to keep each light fitting on its own circuit, or you have ceiling lights and wall lights, then get the 2 gang Lutron in-wall slide dimmer.
Setting Mood Light Scenes
Good lighting will add entertainment value
This is the interesting and fun part as you now have the light fittings and the Lutron Light dimmers, you are ready to set up different mood lighting scenes.
I have given you some examples (see table below) on how to set the light values for different uses. Use this as a guide to start with, then adjust the settings to suite your own taste and what feels comfortable with you.
TIP: don't dim all the lights to the same value, the room will become quite dull.
Change the Whole Mood of a Room
Light to add entertainment value to your living room
Try this lighting sequence to see how the whole mood of a room changes:
Step 1- Dim the ceiling light and free standing floor up-lighter to say 75% on and the low level table lamp and TV lamp to say 10-20%, and then sit in the sofa.
Step 2- Now swap the values over so the ceiling light and free standing floor up-lighter are set to 10-20% and the table lamp and TV lamp are set to 75%, and again sit in the sofa.
You will feel that the lighting is more relaxing in the second setting, when the low level lighting is brighter than the ceiling lights.
You will also find you prefer slightly different light settings depending on the seasons. In the late autumn, winter and early spring months the day light drops early in the afternoon, so you may need two or even three different light settings, one brighter to light the room in the afternoon, then an early evening TV viewing light scene, and a late TV / film viewing scene.
In the summer months the day light is much longer, so you my only use one evening light scene.
Anisia Electrical Services, Inc.
P 763-219-8335
F 763-219-4740
www.anisiaelectric.com
Change the Whole Mood of a Room
Light to add entertainment value to your living room
Try this lighting sequence to see how the whole mood of a room changes:
Step 1- Dim the ceiling light and free standing floor up-lighter to say 75% on and the low level table lamp and TV lamp to say 10-20%, and then sit in the sofa.
Step 2- Now swap the values over so the ceiling light and free standing floor up-lighter are set to 10-20% and the table lamp and TV lamp are set to 75%, and again sit in the sofa.
You will feel that the lighting is more relaxing in the second setting, when the low level lighting is brighter than the ceiling lights.
You will also find you prefer slightly different light settings depending on the seasons. In the late autumn, winter and early spring months the day light drops early in the afternoon, so you may need two or even three different light settings, one brighter to light the room in the afternoon, then an early evening TV viewing light scene, and a late TV / film viewing scene.
In the summer months the day light is much longer, so you my only use one evening light scene.
Anisia Electrical Services, Inc.
P 763-219-8335
F 763-219-4740
www.anisiaelectric.com
Setting The Lights To The Correct Level - Part 1
Being able to set the lighting in your family room to the correct levels will make you, your family and your friends feel so much more relaxed on every occasion. To them it will just appear natural. You on the other hand, will understand how to set this delicate light balance every time.
I am going to take you through some basic tips and ideas for a lighting makeover that does not require new wiring.
You will also see which lights to use, where to place them in the room and how to create great mood lighting scenes using light dimmers.
Most family living rooms are used for the same purposes, relaxing, watching TV, entertaining friends, quality time with the children.
The layout of most living rooms are also basically the same, a seating area, a focal point, normally the TV or fire place and in some cases there is also dining area.
Introduction to the 4 lighting points in the living room
Positioning the light sources in the living room
You should start with 4 basic light sources for a living room lighting make over.
If you are using compact fluorescent lamps, I recommend (on the basis of lighting design) you replace these with incandescent lamps or LED lamps as compact fluorescent lamps are not dimmable.
Center Ceiling Lights
Lighting that comes fixed to you home
The center ceiling lights are fixed in the ceiling and provide the main source of light for the room. But as you will soon discover, they are the least ideal and least used light source in the suggestions for mood lighting scenes.
Seating / Sofa Table Lamps
Low level seating area lighting
Ideally you should have the low level seating area / sofa table lamps positioned on a side table by the side of the sofa.
If the room is a large enough, then have one table lamp at each end of the sofa.
Low Level TV Floor Light
Reduce eye strain - improve your TV viewing pleasure
In my view, the low level TV light is one of the most important lighting positions in the family living room.
The reason being, that when viewing the TV in the evening, the images on the screen flash from dark to bright scenes over and over again. This constant change in light level puts pressure on your eyes as they continually adapt to the changing light levels.
Locate a low level floor standing lamp by the TV, or position it behind the TV if you can.
Now when this light is on (in our case a dimmed light level) the effect from it will reduce the amount of pressure your eyes need to adapt to the changing TV images, as you have a nominal light level in the back ground.
TIP: From personal experience, I can assure you that this light will improve your TV viewing pleasure, and will reduce or eliminate any eye strain you might normally get.
Floor Standing Up Light in the 3rd Corner
Position a floor stand-up light in the 3rd corner of your living room.
The third corner of a room is one that does not have the TV or seating area. It might be the furthest point from the window or even behind the door. You will need a power point so you may not have many choices which corner to locate this light source.
The floor standing lamp, would ideally be a halogen up-lighter, I suggest no more than 150watts, and as it will be dimmed, so there is no need for a higher wattage.
TIP: I have found that with using both the floor standing halogen up-lighter and the table lamp, the ceiling lights are rarely required to be used. In some cases, I have just used the free standing lamps to provide all the lighting for the living room and removed the ceiling light fitting altogether.
Coming: PART 2 - Dimmers
Anisia Electrical Services, Inc.
P 763-219-8335
F 763-219-4740
www.anisiaelectric.com
I am going to take you through some basic tips and ideas for a lighting makeover that does not require new wiring.
You will also see which lights to use, where to place them in the room and how to create great mood lighting scenes using light dimmers.
Most family living rooms are used for the same purposes, relaxing, watching TV, entertaining friends, quality time with the children.
The layout of most living rooms are also basically the same, a seating area, a focal point, normally the TV or fire place and in some cases there is also dining area.
Introduction to the 4 lighting points in the living room
Positioning the light sources in the living room
You should start with 4 basic light sources for a living room lighting make over.
If you are using compact fluorescent lamps, I recommend (on the basis of lighting design) you replace these with incandescent lamps or LED lamps as compact fluorescent lamps are not dimmable.
Center Ceiling Lights
Lighting that comes fixed to you home
The center ceiling lights are fixed in the ceiling and provide the main source of light for the room. But as you will soon discover, they are the least ideal and least used light source in the suggestions for mood lighting scenes.
Seating / Sofa Table Lamps
Low level seating area lighting
Ideally you should have the low level seating area / sofa table lamps positioned on a side table by the side of the sofa.
If the room is a large enough, then have one table lamp at each end of the sofa.
Low Level TV Floor Light
Reduce eye strain - improve your TV viewing pleasure
In my view, the low level TV light is one of the most important lighting positions in the family living room.
The reason being, that when viewing the TV in the evening, the images on the screen flash from dark to bright scenes over and over again. This constant change in light level puts pressure on your eyes as they continually adapt to the changing light levels.
Locate a low level floor standing lamp by the TV, or position it behind the TV if you can.
Now when this light is on (in our case a dimmed light level) the effect from it will reduce the amount of pressure your eyes need to adapt to the changing TV images, as you have a nominal light level in the back ground.
TIP: From personal experience, I can assure you that this light will improve your TV viewing pleasure, and will reduce or eliminate any eye strain you might normally get.
Floor Standing Up Light in the 3rd Corner
Position a floor stand-up light in the 3rd corner of your living room.
The third corner of a room is one that does not have the TV or seating area. It might be the furthest point from the window or even behind the door. You will need a power point so you may not have many choices which corner to locate this light source.
The floor standing lamp, would ideally be a halogen up-lighter, I suggest no more than 150watts, and as it will be dimmed, so there is no need for a higher wattage.
TIP: I have found that with using both the floor standing halogen up-lighter and the table lamp, the ceiling lights are rarely required to be used. In some cases, I have just used the free standing lamps to provide all the lighting for the living room and removed the ceiling light fitting altogether.
Coming: PART 2 - Dimmers
Anisia Electrical Services, Inc.
P 763-219-8335
F 763-219-4740
www.anisiaelectric.com
Friday, April 20, 2012
Last Call For T12 Rebates
As you probably already know, manufacturers will no longer produce most T12 bulbs after July 2012. Are you still using old T12 fluorescents in your facilities? They are very common in commercial lighting applications in the US. In fact, according to NEMA, T12 sales were still 30% of the fluorescent market in late 2011. Very soon, T12 fixtures will need to be upgraded to more efficiency lighting solutions such as T8 technology.
How will the T12 phase-out affect lighting rebates? Currently, T12 to T8 rebates are available across the country and, in most caes, at levels that are designed to bring the payback period to 1-2 years.
With the discontinuation of T12 lamps and ballasts, many of these rebates will quickly change. While we do not expect the rebates to disappear overnight, several large rebate programs have announced they will stop all T12 to T8 rebates starting as early as June. Many other programs have stated that they will continue T12 rebates for the time being, but the incentive levels will usually be lower after July 2012.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
LED Lighting Upgrade
Any store in the Xcel Energy service area are also eligible for up to a $10.00 per lamp rebate. The lamps are dimmable and work with most dimming systems.
We offer a free site audit and will run test numbers for you based on the audit.
Please contact Joel Ludwig at 763-219-8335 or jludwig@anisiaelectric.com for more info.
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