1. They cannot replace all the lights in your house

LED Light bulbs give off directional light. They are poor replacements for bulbs used for lighting large areas – usually called general lighting. They’re better for replacing spot and flood lights used in track lighting, accent lighting, recessed lighting and outdoor security.

2. They give off blue light

Most people think that LED bulbs give off a bluish tint, described as a sci-fi creepy sort of light. This is sometimes true so watch out what color you are buying. The great thing about LED light bulbs is that they now come in different shades of white from warm to cold – but these will range from seller to seller.

The best way to tell the color of a light is to look for the rating in Kelvins (K), also known as the color temperature and find a guide that shows the colors of different temperatures. Searching for “color temperature” in Google should give you many results.

3. They do not take heat well

Heat will drastically reduce the life on an LED light bulb. Make sure your investment isn’t put to waste by letting your bulbs heat up too much, by keeping them away from heat sources.

4. They cannot be used with dimmers

All LED light bulbs currently being sold do not work with typical dimmers. You can find custom-built fixtures using LED’s that come with their own power supplies and dimmer controls. If you’re putting in a drop-in replacement LED light bulb, the dimmer you were using previously with your halogen or incandescent bulb will not work.

5. Lumens output is misleading and often exaggerated

In simple terms lumens is measured by taking a lumen measuring device and taking the average of the lumen rating all around a light source.

An LED light bulb might have the same lumen rating as say a 50W incandescent bulb, but it would only be bright at one spot and would light a room pretty poorly whereas the 50W incandescent would do quite well. Similiarly, it could also have a much lower rating than a 50W incandescent bulb yet put out a very strong spotlight.

A lot of seller’s exaggerate these ratings since there is no standard out right now for measuring the brightness of an LED bulb. The best way to really know what you’re getting is to look at how they compare it to an incandescent or halogen bulb. For example: “This bulb has equivalent light output to a 50W incandescent or 20W halogen.” If they include pictures then even better.

We’ve been in business for over a year selling LED light bulbs all over the US. We specialize in retro-fittable, drop-in replacements for current incandescent and halogen bulbs in all the most common shapes. We provide a superior LED equivalent for most of the common bulbs you’ll see being used at home, office or in a retail store.

Eternaleds – LED Light Bulbs for Your Home, Office or Retail Store

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 being 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.

Extreme Makeover Pros is your affordable contractor serving Orange County, Ca. for nearly 25 years. Specializing in Home Improvement For more details visit http://www.extrememakeoverpros.com

Whether you are remodeling or building new; whether you’re a homebuilder, interior decorator, or designer, the crystal chandelier has always been the focal point of the look of a room. One of the most exciting lines of crystal lighting is manufactured by Nulco Lighting, which for years, has been synonymous with quality and timeless beauty.

This manufacturer has been a preeminent American leader in home lighting for over 60 years; a four generation lighting producer providing a vast array of designs and coordinating collections from traditional to modern. The Opera Starburst and Sonata chandeliers are two exquisite and popular designs that we sell.

The Opera Starburst crystal chandelier offers the rich tradition and stunning beauty which has adorned New York’s Metropolitan Opera since its debut in 1964. While the original Met chandeliers were gifts from the Austrian government, these breathtaking reproductions offer the timeless beauty combined with the highest quality workmanship, materials and crystal. The Opera Starburst is available for most budgets. The body width options for the Opera Starburst are available in 36″, 47″, 60″ and the grand 72″.

While the most prominent feature of this crystal chandelier is the stunning design, a feature not to be overlooked is the superior quality of crystal. The Opera Starburst crystal choices offered are fully polished 30% lead crystal or the Strass crystal. The Strass Swarovski crystal is the more expensive of the two choices that has a lead content exceeding 30% and is the highest quality, premium machine-cut, fully polished prisms you can expect. Strass crystal is optically pure and the light reflection is simply spectacular. As an added feature, the Strass crystal actually has an invisible coating which repels dust!

The Sonata chandelier is a spectacular, more modern, spellbinding display of premier designer expertise. Each 30% fully polished lead crystal prism, appears effortlessly suspended with virtually invisible support. As if raindrops stopped in time, the Sonata makes a mesmerizing, yet distinctively bold statement in any home or business. The Sonata round chandelier is available in six sizes, from the smaller 16′W x 40″H 5 lamp, to the spectacular 36″W x 120″H 21 lamp.

The round chandelier is just the beginning of this collection. This collection includes numerous shapes and sizes including oval, rectangle, mini round/mini square, wall sconce, arc & rainbow and custom designs. The custom designs include a crystal “Cross” which is suitable for churches, and a truly unique crystal “Dragon” which would make a spectacular lighting centerpiece for an Asian inspired decor. For those that prefer more color see the crystal multi-colored “Rainbow” piece. This Sonata fully polished, 30% lead crystal suspended and slowly spinning in space are the centerpieces of this remarkably distinctive pendant.

If you are in the market to illuminate your foyer, living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom or any other room in your home or business, Inviting Lighting offers the best in quality for crystal pendants and chandeliers. You truly make an investment for a lifetime when you purchase our crystal fixtures.

To see these beautiful chandeliers and other quality lighting products, please visit http://www.InvitingLighting.com

Solar energy is one of the greatest alternatives to traditional energy. It is a free energy source that is clean and easy to use. The option of solar outdoor lighting is far superior and holds many benefits over traditional types of outdoor lighting.

The two main benefits of solar outdoor lighting are the safety and cost. To begin with there are no electrical issues to worry about at all. Solar energy is very safe. No shock risks or worrying about fraying or damaged cords. Additionally, solar power is free. No more high energy bills. No more having to worry about turning the lights on and off to try to keep energy bills low.

Solar outdoor lighting also comes with the benefit of being easy to install. The solar lighting fixtures are simple to put in place. There is no complex installation required. Best of all no digging to cover electrical cords. This means you can do it all yourself, which saves you a lot of money up front.

It is easy to install your outdoor lighting exactly where you want it. The only concern will be to ensure that it is getting adequate exposure to the sun so it can operate correctly. However, they allow you to light up pathways, gardens, steps and other areas where you would like to have more light.

Solar outdoor lighting is a major improvement over electrical lighting options. They allow you to easily install them, operate them without worry and save a lot of money on your energy bills. You have no issues to worry about with electrical safety and the lights can operate easily without you having to even worry about turning them on or off.

The advancements in solar lighting now mean that solar lighting is quite comparable to electrical lighting. You will have the same intensity and light from a solar light as from an electric light. You will get what you pay for, so make sure that you buy carefully. Just keep in mind all the money you will be saving in the long run on energy costs.

As people improve their properties to bring up the price, solar outdoor lighting can play an important part. People like to entertain in the evening and especially to hold parties in their gardens. Solar outdoor lighting can ensure they have an attractive and comfortable environment in which to relax, while also saving you hassle and money.

Learn how you can save money and save the Earth by using the infinite source of energy: Solar Energy. You can find more information at Joseph’s website at http://www.mysolarenergyathome.com as he expounds on Solar Energy and Solar Outdoor Lighting

Whenever we hear someone mention the word “chandelier,” the images that immediately shoot up in our minds would be something like this: the rich and famous, tuxedos, large estates and mansions, and elegant ballroom parties. The reason these things come to mind is that these familiar lighting fixtures possess and convey those traits.

The good thing is that these fixtures of elegance don’t have to just belong in a fancy castle, since these too can be installed in your own home, giving any house the air of luxury and elegance. However, since buying crystal chandeliers for your home can be a big purchase, you would need to make sure that you are doing everything possible to get the best and most alluring one.

Buying crystal chandeliers for your home can add to making your home more elegant; however improper handling and cleaning would surely erase its luster and will not give you the elegance and allure you expected.

Chandelier Purchase Tips

It would be good to keep in mind when buying light fixtures like these, is to remember that you’re also buying a status symbol. It also helps to prepare yourself for the expenses required when buying one, since they are not cheap and it would be easy to get caught up in the frenzy of upscale-priced competition.

Though sometimes it could be tempting, just try to buy the ones you could afford. Do not let the reputation that these bring to your home meddle with your own personal sense of style, especially when it comes to size. The best move you can make is to ensure that the chandelier is in proportion with the size of the room.

Unfortunately, bigger is often better. Most often, when a homeowner installs a smaller model, the room itself swallows it up, dwarfing what is supposed to be an impressive decorative lighting fixture. However, don’t get carried away, and do not let the size dictate your preferences.

Crystal Chandelier Installation Tips

Proper Installation of crystal chandelier requires careful consideration to detail. Since chandeliers are often heavier and more ornately designed than other forms of lighting, it is imperative that you properly perform the following steps.

- Verify and check the weight of your new chandelier. If it nearly matches the weight of your current lighting fixture, do not replace the ceiling junction box. However, if the chandelier is heavier than your current fixture, purchase and install a junction box that will support the chandelier’s weight.

- Disconnect the power plug connected to the chandelier. Use a circuit tester to verify the electricity is off.

- Remove the old light fixture. Note how the fixture was installed and mark the wires with tape.

- Attach the hardware from the new chandelier to the mounting strap. If there is no mounting strap, try to install one.

- Screw the mounting strap to the junction box.

- Once you have twisted the wires from the new chandelier to the ceiling wires, twist on wire nuts clockwise.

- Follow the manufacturer’s manual in the installation process.

- If you are installing the chandelier in a dining room or kitchen, make sure the chandelier hangs at least thirty inches above any table you might place under it. Your chandelier should measure twelve inches less in diameter than the width of the table.

Crystal Chandeliers – http://crystal-chandeliers.xon.us

Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top – SEO Company

Without a doubt, the bathroom is one of the most essential rooms in any house. One essential aspect of a good bathroom is the lighting. Good lighting makes the bathroom a pleasure to use. Now, there are modern bathroom lighting fixtures that can transform any bathroom from drab to fab in no time at all.

Installing modern bathroom lighting in your bathroom can spell the difference between simply adequate to cozy and comfortable. A well thought of new lighting fixture can instantly add style and sophistication to your bathroom. But most importantly, carefully planned lighting will enhance the function of your bathroom tenfold. Modern bathrooms have many functions as evidenced by the basic amenities it has such as vanity tops, sinks, bath tubs, cabinets, and mirrors. You can start you bathroom redesign by taking into account the different functions either in a single bathroom or in a number of bathrooms in your house.

Installing new lighting fixtures in your bathroom is closely tied with its interior design. It can be said that adding the appropriate lights is the finishing touch to the bathroom’s design because it will enhance the room’s ambience, add to its functionality and create a place that is pleasant and relaxing. If you use your bathroom more as a place for relaxation after a long hard day’s work, then using ambient lighting will surely enhance the relaxing atmosphere.

Another type of modern bathroom lighting is ambient lighting which aims to simulate natural light, thus creating a soft and subdued illumination. Ambient lighting can be achieved using different types of lighting fixtures. One of these is the use of cove lighting. You can also use rope lights which are installed behind recessed moldings for a more sophisticated but subdued effect. The goal of ambient lighting is to illuminate the room sufficiently without creating glare, thus the use of subtle lighting fixtures.

Meanwhile, for bathrooms that are mainly used for grooming and hygiene purposes, task lighting and side lighting will be more appropriate. Lights that fully illuminate the face and the body are used here. This ensures that grooming and make up can be accomplished in the proper manner. Shadows and dark areas can make grooming and putting on make-up harder than it is. Thus, strong and clear lights are used in task lighting. A good tip is to install lights along the sides of your bathroom mirror. You can also install side lights that illuminate your face and body without too much glare.

Accent lighting is another type you can use. As its name says, this type of lighting is used to accentuate and emphasize certain features inside your bathroom for dramatic effect or aesthetic appeal. Mini spot lights or flood lights can be used to enhance the look and feel of your bathroom. A trip to your local furniture shop or interior decorator’s atelier can help you pick out what type of modern bathroom lighting to use.

For bathroom lighting ideas, visit http://www.bathroomlighting101.com

Whenever we hear someone mention the word “chandelier,” the images that immediately shoot up in our minds would be something like this: the rich and famous, tuxedos, large estates and mansions, and elegant ballroom parties. The reason these things come to mind is that these familiar lighting fixtures possess and convey those traits.

The good thing is that these fixtures of elegance don’t have to just belong in a fancy castle, since these too can be installed in your own home, giving any house the air of luxury and elegance. However, since buying crystal chandeliers for your home can be a big purchase, you would need to make sure that you are doing everything possible to get the best and most alluring one.

Buying crystal chandeliers for your home can add to making your home more elegant; however improper handling and cleaning would surely erase its luster and will not give you the elegance and allure you expected.

Chandelier Purchase Tips

It would be good to keep in mind when buying light fixtures like these, is to remember that you’re also buying a status symbol. It also helps to prepare yourself for the expenses required when buying one, since they are not cheap and it would be easy to get caught up in the frenzy of upscale-priced competition.

Though sometimes it could be tempting, just try to buy the ones you could afford. Do not let the reputation that these bring to your home meddle with your own personal sense of style, especially when it comes to size. The best move you can make is to ensure that the chandelier is in proportion with the size of the room.

Unfortunately, bigger is often better. Most often, when a homeowner installs a smaller model, the room itself swallows it up, dwarfing what is supposed to be an impressive decorative lighting fixture. However, don’t get carried away, and do not let the size dictate your preferences.

Crystal Chandelier Installation Tips

Proper Installation of crystal chandelier requires careful consideration to detail. Since chandeliers are often heavier and more ornately designed than other forms of lighting, it is imperative that you properly perform the following steps.

- Verify and check the weight of your new chandelier. If it nearly matches the weight of your current lighting fixture, do not replace the ceiling junction box. However, if the chandelier is heavier than your current fixture, purchase and install a junction box that will support the chandelier’s weight.

- Disconnect the power plug connected to the chandelier. Use a circuit tester to verify the electricity is off.

- Remove the old light fixture. Note how the fixture was installed and mark the wires with tape.

- Attach the hardware from the new chandelier to the mounting strap. If there is no mounting strap, try to install one.

- Screw the mounting strap to the junction box.

- Once you have twisted the wires from the new chandelier to the ceiling wires, twist on wire nuts clockwise.

- Follow the manufacturer’s manual in the installation process.

- If you are installing the chandelier in a dining room or kitchen, make sure the chandelier hangs at least thirty inches above any table you might place under it. Your chandelier should measure twelve inches less in diameter than the width of the table.

Crystal Chandeliers – http://crystal-chandeliers.xon.us

Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top – SEO Company

Without a doubt, the bathroom is one of the most essential rooms in any house. One essential aspect of a good bathroom is the lighting. Good lighting makes the bathroom a pleasure to use. Now, there are modern bathroom lighting fixtures that can transform any bathroom from drab to fab in no time at all.

Installing modern bathroom lighting in your bathroom can spell the difference between simply adequate to cozy and comfortable. A well thought of new lighting fixture can instantly add style and sophistication to your bathroom. But most importantly, carefully planned lighting will enhance the function of your bathroom tenfold. Modern bathrooms have many functions as evidenced by the basic amenities it has such as vanity tops, sinks, bath tubs, cabinets, and mirrors. You can start you bathroom redesign by taking into account the different functions either in a single bathroom or in a number of bathrooms in your house.

Installing new lighting fixtures in your bathroom is closely tied with its interior design. It can be said that adding the appropriate lights is the finishing touch to the bathroom’s design because it will enhance the room’s ambience, add to its functionality and create a place that is pleasant and relaxing. If you use your bathroom more as a place for relaxation after a long hard day’s work, then using ambient lighting will surely enhance the relaxing atmosphere.

Another type of modern bathroom lighting is ambient lighting which aims to simulate natural light, thus creating a soft and subdued illumination. Ambient lighting can be achieved using different types of lighting fixtures. One of these is the use of cove lighting. You can also use rope lights which are installed behind recessed moldings for a more sophisticated but subdued effect. The goal of ambient lighting is to illuminate the room sufficiently without creating glare, thus the use of subtle lighting fixtures.

Meanwhile, for bathrooms that are mainly used for grooming and hygiene purposes, task lighting and side lighting will be more appropriate. Lights that fully illuminate the face and the body are used here. This ensures that grooming and make up can be accomplished in the proper manner. Shadows and dark areas can make grooming and putting on make-up harder than it is. Thus, strong and clear lights are used in task lighting. A good tip is to install lights along the sides of your bathroom mirror. You can also install side lights that illuminate your face and body without too much glare.

Accent lighting is another type you can use. As its name says, this type of lighting is used to accentuate and emphasize certain features inside your bathroom for dramatic effect or aesthetic appeal. Mini spot lights or flood lights can be used to enhance the look and feel of your bathroom. A trip to your local furniture shop or interior decorator’s atelier can help you pick out what type of modern bathroom lighting to use.

For bathroom lighting ideas, visit http://www.bathroomlighting101.com

Good lighting is one thing most interior designers agree on. You can have the most beautifully designed room with all the right furniture, colors and accessories but if the lighting isn’t right it will never look or feel good. There is more to lighting for residential interiors than just a couple of lamps and some ceiling cans. Good lighting requires careful thought and appropriate selections. If you understand and utilize the types of lighting you will be well on your way to creating a wonderful environment.
The three lighting categories:

1. Task lighting, which is light for specific functions that depend on good vision.

Reading
Computer work
Homework
Sewing

2. General or ambient lighting is the lighting required to move through a space or to see people and objects. This is not as bright as task lighting.

3. Accent lighting is the focused use of light to bring attention to an object or area. Art or picture lights are accent lighting. This is often used to highlight an architectural feature and commonly used in outdoor lighting (certain trees, water features, or wall washing effects). Accent lighting is used to make a space more interesting and active.

A room with good lighting makes use of all three categories. There are times when one light source does double duty such as in a small entryway where a ceiling fixture is used to wash light over a specific wall to highlight it and is also enough to all allow people to comfortably move through the space. In this scenario more light isn’t needed. It is important to consider your environment so that your lighting selections are necessary but not redundant.

What do you do in a family room? People read and play games, watch TV and have conversations. What lighting do you need? In my family room there is floor or table lamps with 3-way bulbs next to the places people sit to read (task lighting). I have two wall sconces switched at the exit and entry points of the room for general lighting. When the sconces are dimmed, they also highlight texture on their respective walls (accent lighting). For fun there is also a fiber optic installation on the ceiling which can change colors (accent lighting).

Before you purchase any lighting it is important that you think about the tasks you complete in your space, how you move through the space and any items or areas you want to focus attention onto. Now you can use lighting properly to achieve the functionality you need as well as the level of beauty or visual interest you want. You do not have to have a big budget and an interior designer to achieve good lighting. If you cover the three categories above when lighting your rooms you will be on your way to a well designed home that functions and is visually appealing.

Lisa M. Smith is an interior designer and owner of Interior Design Factory, Ltd. She specializes in creating beautiful and inviting residential interiors that are timeless and look collected, not like a showroom. Real design for real people. She produces individualized results using creative solutions and often designs furniture, cabinetry and lighting specific to her customers needs to create interiors that are liveable and tell a story. Good design is for everyone and available in every budget.

Interior Design Factory also has commercial clients who are looking for the same attention to detail as residential clients but to create interiors to position them for future success with a more watchful eye towards budget and design being a good investment.

Hire an Interior Designer Now for only $14.95. Click on website to ask your personal design question. You can even send pictures. Get design advice and answers just for you!

http://www.InteriorDesignFactory.com