The Pegasus Lighting Roundup for Mar 15 to Mar 26

 Pegasus Lighting Roundup  No Responses »
Mar 262010
 
PinExt The Pegasus Lighting Roundup for Mar 15 to Mar 26
Picture%201 The Pegasus Lighting Roundup for Mar 15 to Mar 26

A picture of one of the World's Greenest Homes (slideshow featured in our "Other Cool Sites" section)

In lighting news…

With Earth Day approaching in less than a month, this Department of Energy report could not have been more timely.  Here is the startling statistic: widespread adoption to LED lighting among Americans would save $120 billion.  It would also eliminate the need for 24 new large power plants, and would decrease carbon emissions significantly.

LEDs are also expected to come down in price significantly, so making that change to collectively save $120 billion will not have such high up-front costs.  Prices may drop from $30 to $10-20 because the production cost is expected to decrease.

Toshiba halted production of incandescent light bulbs on 3/17, marking a remarkable shift for the company to more energy-efficient products.  Toshiba will now focus on producing LEDs.
Continue reading »

PinExt The Pegasus Lighting Roundup for Mar 15 to Mar 26
Share|

Quick Fixes for Bathroom Annoyances

 Lighting Tips  No Responses »
Mar 102010
 
PinExt Quick Fixes for Bathroom Annoyances

vanity mirror lighted square 220wfluorescent Quick Fixes for Bathroom AnnoyancesInadequate light above the sinks: If you’re feeling like the light above your mirror is not enough to illuminate your face, add a wall sconce to each side that will complement the ceiling lights.  Recommended wattage: 150 watts of incandescent light, or 40 watts of fluorescent light per sink.  For more information, check out our blog post on bathroom vanity lighting: “How Not To Look Like Dracula”

Harsh light during midnight trips to the bathroom: If the bright glare is bothersome, install a dimmer. It is easier on the eyes and provides a pleasant, low glow for the bathroom.  Dimmers are affordable and easy to install, and can also serve as mood lighting during a relaxing bath.
Continue reading »

PinExt Quick Fixes for Bathroom Annoyances
Share|

The Importance of Bathroom Lighting

 Lighting Tips  3 Responses »
Mar 032010
 
PinExt The Importance of Bathroom Lighting

It’s a small room with a big impact.  For homes, the main-floor half-bath, or powder room, is often one of the highest-traffic spaces in the house.  For businesses (especially restaurants), the bathroom can determine customer satisfaction, serving as the tipping point between a customer who won’t return and a customer who will recommend to others.  Businesses that consider bathroom design to be an expendable overhead cost may be making an expensive mistake.  A recent study by Cintas Corp. found that 95% of customers would not return to a restaurant if they had a bad experience with the restroom.  The study found that customers use these types of small details as indicators of how the business handles other back-end operations.

That being said, the guest bathroom for homes or businesses is a valuable space to remodel.  Because it’s so small, it’s also a less expensive project to take on.
Continue reading »

PinExt The Importance of Bathroom Lighting
Share|

Low Voltage Indoor Lighting: Pendant Lights for Every Room

 Lighting Tips  1 Response »
Jan 182010
 
PinExt Low Voltage Indoor Lighting: Pendant Lights for Every Room

mini pendant light1 Low Voltage Indoor Lighting: Pendant Lights for Every RoomLow voltage lighting is not new. According to Popular Mechanics magazine, “Low voltage outdoor lighting got its start in the early 1950s when Bill Locklin, an electrical contractor in Redlands, Calif., was asked by a client to put up some outdoor lights.” It took a few decades for homeowners to catch on and take advantage of all the benefits that low voltage lighting has to offer. Nowadays, homeowners installing outdoor landscape lighting often choose low voltage lighting fixtures.

But what about low voltage indoor lighting? Almost 60 years after Bill Locklin’s innovation, low voltage indoor lighting has finally become mainstream. There are several reasons why low voltage lighting has become more popular. Better quality fixtures, long-lasting bulbs and easier installation methods are just a few of the reasons. Further, many Americans are more aware of the importance of energy conservation and the savings that result from using low voltage fixtures and energy-saving light bulbs. Low voltage lighting fixtures, and the bulbs that are used with them, provide a higher quality light. Low voltage lights have also become more versatile than in the past. There are many low voltage design options. Some popular fixture types include track lighting, under cabinet lighting and hanging pendants.
Continue reading »

PinExt Low Voltage Indoor Lighting: Pendant Lights for Every Room
Share|

Bathroom Vanity Lighting – How Not to Look Like Dracula

 Lighting Tips  7 Responses »
Jul 062009
 
PinExt Bathroom Vanity Lighting How Not to Look Like Dracula

Recessed downlights should not be used to light your face while standing at a mirror in your bathroom because the light coming from these fixtures will only cause harsh shadows on your face. Instead, wall-mounted vanity light fixtures attached above the mirror and/or on both sides of the mirror, or backlit vanity mirrors (a very neat option – especially if wall space is limited) should be used. That way, shadows on your face can be minimized. Recessed downlights can be used in other parts of the bathroom for general lighting but not for task lighting at the sink area – unless, of course, you want to look years older or like Bella Lugosi in makeup.

round halogen mirror Bathroom Vanity Lighting How Not to Look Like Dracula

Round halogen backlit vanity mirror.

Lighted Vanity Mirror 300x300 Bathroom Vanity Lighting How Not to Look Like Dracula

Square fluorescent backlit vanity mirror.
PinExt Bathroom Vanity Lighting How Not to Look Like Dracula
Share|

7 Tips to Improve Your Bathroom Lighting

 Lighting Tips  No Responses »
Jul 012009
 
PinExt 7 Tips to Improve Your Bathroom Lighting

featured on ezine articles 7 Tips to Improve Your Bathroom LightingThere are three or four basic types of lighting that should work together to light any room, including a bathroom. They are task lighting, general lighting, accent lighting and lighting that is sometimes called decorative lighting or “sparkle lighting”. A good lighting plan combines at least the first three types and sometimes all four types of lighting. This article will focus only on the task lighting in a bathroom. In the bathroom, especially around the vanity mirrors, task lighting is critical. Task lighting can assist in performing specific tasks such as applying makeup, shaving, dressing a wound, or performing a manicure.

Continue reading »

PinExt 7 Tips to Improve Your Bathroom Lighting
Share|

Customer Lighting Project: Circline Ceiling Mount Fixtures

 Lighting Projects  1 Response »
Jul 012009
 
PinExt Customer Lighting Project: Circline Ceiling Mount Fixtures

This lighting project was part of a condominium renovation, and you can clearly see the transformation in the before and after pictures.  Shiny, modern Fluorescent Ceiling Mount Light Fixtures replaced the outdated, dim fixtures from the past.  The newer fixtures also feature quiet instant-start electronic ballasts.

CorridorBeforeRenovation200 Customer Lighting Project: Circline Ceiling Mount Fixtures

Before (above)

 Corridor126PFL 2004Fix 400 Customer Lighting Project: Circline Ceiling Mount Fixtures
After (right)
130 Fluorescent Circline Ceiling Mount Fixtures (PFL-2004) were installed as part of a complete renovation of condominium hallways.

Photos provided by The Hamilton Co., Allstone, MA

PinExt Customer Lighting Project: Circline Ceiling Mount Fixtures
Share|
 Newer Entries