Friday, November 17, 2017

Making the bedroom more energy efficient

Saving energy costs in the bedroom

July 11, 2014

Learn about the ways to save on electrical bills in the bedroom. (Photo Credits)

The bedroom can consume a huge chunk of a household’s energy consumption, hence it will always be a wise decision to learn to save on energy costs in the bedroom.

Energy Australia came up with tips for saving energy at home including the bedroom. “Keep curtains and outside window shades closed to reduce the amount of energy needed to maintain a consistent temperature inside. Rather than heat your bedroom, add another blanket to your bed or use an electric blanket, wheat bag or hot water bottle.”

Read more here.

Using fans

The US Department of Energy meanwhile reminded the public that installing ceiling fans is a great way of lowering energy consumption in the bedroom. Electrician

“If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort. Just make sure to turn it off when you leave the room (fans cool people, not rooms).”

Take a look at the rest of the energy saving tips here.

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Energy Star meanwhile came up with a list of ways to make the bedroom more energy efficient. In their list they included gadgets and electronics that quietly eat up power. “Consumer electronics play an increasingly larger role in your home’s energy consumption, accounting for 15 percent of household electricity use. Many consumer electronics products use energy even when switched off. Electronics equipment that has earned the ENERGY STAR helps save energy when off, while maintaining features like clock displays, channel settings, and remote-control functions. “

Read the continuation here.

Saving energy can be done in all the rooms of a home. May be a little adjustment, but it will definitely help in lowering energy costs.

The Benefits of a Solar Powered Kitchen

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Wednesday, November 8, 2017

The Benefits of a Solar Powered Kitchen

Clean and sustainable energy

Eko House by Team Brazil SDE 2012 12

Sustainable energy can be attainable in the kitchen. (Photo Credits)

Kitchen appliances consume a lot of energy, especially in very busy households. One way to cut down on the consumption is to consider using solar energy to operate kitchen equipment.

If households consume a lot of energy in the kitchen, one can definitely surmise that industrial kitchens use bigger amounts of energy.

Solarnovus.com for instance shared how a US-Based soup kitchen serves thousands of people. American Lighting Association

“Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter is expected to save roughly $176,282 over the life of the solar array, offsetting a significant share of its electric load. The 131 solar panels, mounted on both flat and pitched roof sections of the NSKS facility in downtown Nashua, are expected to produce approximately 43,080 kilowatt-hours of clean electricity per year, thereby reducing more than 45,000 pounds of carbon pollution annually.”

Take a look at the whole article here.

Solar Kitchen

Mother Earth News meanwhile published an article meant to propagate interesting developments on the solar kitchen front. Master Electrician

“C.J. Swet of the Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins University has designed quite an interesting apparatus he calls a Universal Solar Kitchen. Very simply, his “kitchen” has been calculated to efficiently collect the sun’s energy, pipe the heat to a convenient point of use, and do it in a manner compatible with the existing ethnic and regional domestic practices of widely varying cultures. “

Check out the rest of the story here.

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The United Nations Development Program for its part shared how a Solar Steam cooking system that helps feed orphans, children, and other impoverished children on a daily basis.

“Solar powered cooking systems such as those installed at the R.K. Mission are feeding more than 10 million people. Over the last two years, the rate of installation of solar concentrated heating systems has more than doubled in the country. Since 2012, 10,469 square metres of systems have been installed, saving 5.982 million units of electricity (equivalent to 645 tonnes of fuel oil) and reducing CO2 emissions by 2,976 tonnes per year.”

Read the article here.

Solar power can indeed be harnessed in the kitchen, for power efficiency and at the same time eco-friendliness and sustainability.

How to Make a Solar Powered Jack-O-Lantern

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Friday, October 27, 2017

How to Make a Solar Powered Jack-O-Lantern

DIY Jack-O-Lantern

Jack-O-Lantern lit

Jack-O-Lanterns can be sun powered too. (Photo Credits)

Solar energy is so great, it can even light up Jack-O-Lanterns. At least, Halloween decorations can be energy-saving and at the same time sustainable. Electrical Association 

Instructables.com came up with a step-by-step guide in coming up with a solar-powered jack-o-lantern. “This easy to create fall decoration will bring a smile to all those who see its whimsical appearance. Made from naturally gathered materials, things you probably have on hand and an inexpensive solar light this low cost decoration will be easy on the budget and use absolutely no electricity!”

Check out the tutorial here.

Solar light tutorial

The Denver channel for its part shared a video tutorial on making a solar-powered jack-o-lantern. Electrician

“While you’re getting into the Halloween spirit, this guy has a simple solution to turn your jack-o’-lantern into an environmentally friendly porch light. Instead of using a candle or battery-powered light, you can add three solar stake lights to your pumpkin. All you have to do is remove the stakes and cut extra holes to fit the solar lights around the top of the jack-o’-lantern.”

Watch the tutorial here.

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The website Dream A little Bigger shared as well a Do-It-Yourself guide in making a DIY solar-powered jack-o-lantern.

”In the lawn and garden section of Walmart you can snag up $0.97 solar light stakes that you stick in the ground. They aren’t super powerful but they do a pretty good job lighting up a small amount of space. Trace the shape of the top onto the back of your pumpkin, up high near the stem.”

Get the whole step-by-step procedure here.

Solar powered Halloween decorations definitely make the season more fun as it does not add up to utility bills.

Task Lighting 101

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Friday, October 20, 2017

Task Lighting 101

Focusing on Task lighting

Stuff I like II

Learning more about task lighting. (Photo Credits)

Task lighting can be a very important and functional lighting fixture in any home. It can help make home activities easier to do, and electrical consumption, even more efficient.

The American Lighting Association defines task lighting as lighting fixtures that are movable and can be plugged into different outlets in the home. Electrical Association

“It can be provided by recessed and track lighting, pendant lighting and under-cabinet lighting, as well as by portable floor and desk lamps. Task lighting should be free of distracting glare and shadows and should be bright enough to prevent eye strain.”

Check out the whole description here.

Tips on Task lighting

The Australian Government also shared various lighting tips to its constituents. Task lighting tips are included in their comprehensive lighting advice for home owners. Electrician        

“Match the lamp’s colour temperature to the tones of your room. Warm colour temperatures render warm colours like reds, yellows and browns well; cool colour temperatures render cool colours like greys, greens and blues better. In rooms following these general rules, furnishings appear more vibrant. If you have a mix of furnishings, use lamps that produce light in approximately the 3,500K range. No matter what colour temperature light you choose, if it has a low colour rendering index, nothing will look good under it.”

Read more tips here.

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UK Media, BBC meantime came up with a guide on different types of lighting, task lighting included. It also included tips on maximizing the use of different types of lighting fixtures and assemblies.

“Working with task lights — place the lamp opposite your writing hand or you’ll be working in your own shadow. The beam of the light should fall on your working area and not reflect onto your computer screen. If there’s no space on your desk for a lamp, fit a strip light above it.”

Take a look at the whole guide here.

Task lights are indeed important in carrying out work around the home.

Tips on Ambient Lighting Design

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Saturday, October 7, 2017

Lighting up a Home Office

Expert Advice on Home Office Lighting

Point of View in the captain's chair

Home offices will spur more creativity when there is adequate and appropriate lighting. (Photo Credits)

Home office lighting can make a whole lot of difference when it comes to increasing productivity. After all who would like to work in an inappropriately lit room, nor who would like to get an eyestrain because of improper lighting?

Apartment Therapy shared tips that are applicable to both homeowners and those who are just renting. Electrical Association

“Start out by considering natural light. Where is your desk situated? If you’re lucky enough to have a sunny window, it’s a good idea to park your desk nearby it, or if there are no distractions, facing it. There’s something to be said for gazing out of a window while your brain is processing things at full speed.”

Read the rest of their tips here.

Assessing Lighting Options

Pottery Barn also came up with tips on ensuring great lighting for any home office set-up. Evaluating existing lighting options is one of the tips that they published in their website article. Electrician   

“Overhead lighting can be tricky. For example, a poorly placed spotlight can create an annoying glare, but a lack of overhead lighting can be just as distracting. Plus, overhead lighting doesn’t just complement your natural lighting and establish the room’s overall lighting level. It also presents an opportunity for you to add some style to your home office and create new focal points with your decor. For example, recessed lighting works well, but it can create hot spots and an unimaginative look. Instead, incorporate a flushmount ceiling light, an elegant chandelier or a sleek pendant to complement the decor of the office and illuminate your work space.”

Check out the rest of the advice here.

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The Spruce meantime advises its readers maximize natural lighting in the room.

“Don’t overlook the unique benefit of natural light coming from a window, skylight or another portal. Sunlight can produce warm lighting that really improves the work environment. On the other hand, you may need to account for direct sunlight that creates overwhelming glare during certain times of the day. In general, it’s best to have natural light in front of or next to work surfaces and computer screens to avoid glare and maximize your outside views.”

Check out the rest of the advice here.

Improving the lighting in any home office can be efficiently done by any licensed electrician contractor.

All about Landscape and Outdoor Lighting

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Monday, October 2, 2017

All about Landscape and Outdoor Lighting

Installing lighting for gardens and the outdoor home space

Garden d'Lights 6

Outdoor lighting can best accentuate any landscaping job, or garden space. (Photo Credits)

When a homeowner wants his garden or lawn to stand out, even in the evening, then outdoor lights or landscaping spotlights are definitely in order. Electrician contractors are the best people for the job, but some homeowners may want to try their hand on DIY work for projects like such. Electrician           

The website Family Handyman came up with a comprehensive tutorial on what every homeowner has to know about installing garden lights. It emphasized that proper planning, and basic electrical know-how are a must before embarking on a project like this.

“Run an underground electrical line into the garden to power an outdoor light or a pond pump. Here’s the quickest and cheapest method for bringing power to a remote spot without tearing up your yard.”

Read their whole guide here.

Assessing one’s lighting needs

Home and Garden Television also came up with a tutorial that will guide any property owner who is interested in putting up his own outdoor landscape lighting. Electrical Association

“Before you invest in any landscape lighting, ask yourself what your purposes are for wanting illumination in your backyard. Perhaps you want to set a soft, romantic mood during the evening hours. Maybe you have a bench or a shadowy garden corner you need to illuminate for security reasons. A path leading through the garden may require landscape lighting to mark its boundaries. You might want to highlight some features of your backyard like a water fountain or pond.”

The continuation of the quoted article can be found here.

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DIY.com meantime emphasized that property owners should always exercise caution when undertaking electrical jobs like installing garden and landscape lighting installation.

“Before starting any electrical work, stay safe – get yourself a socket tester (or voltage tester for lighting circuits). They confirm whether circuits are dead and safe to work on. Check all finished work with a socket tester (or voltage tester for lighting circuits) before using. For your safety, these products must be installed in accordance with local Building Regulations. If in any doubt, or where required by the law, consult a competent person who is registered with an electrical certification scheme. Further information is available online or from your local authority.”

Read the whole safety guide here.

Outdoor lights are best installed by expert and professional electrician contractors who can ensure that the job will be done correctly, in the safest manner possible.

How to install additional lighting fixtures

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Sunday, September 17, 2017

How to install additional lighting fixtures

Installation Guide

New Dining Room Light Fixture 007

Installing light fixtures safely. (Photo Credits)

Lighting fixtures add a touch of character to any home. Home spaces look different when light fixtures are changed or new ones are installed.

But how can one install or change light fixtures? American Lighting Association

Apartment Therapy came up with a tutorial on this. “Turn off the circuit breaker associated with your light. I operate on the paranoid end of the fear scale when it comes to electricity, so don’t mess with me on this. If you’re not sure which breaker operates that particular light fixture, do this project during the daylight and turn the main breaker off. Or get comfortable with a headlamp.”

Read the rest of the step-by-step instructions here.

Step-by-step instructions

Bobvila.com also published a comprehensive guide in installing and replacing lighting fixtures. Like Apartment Therapy’s article it emphasized on safety and ensuring that the electrical source for the lighting fixture that one will be working on should be turned off. Master Electrician        

“A permanent fixture may have a plate that will be connected to the two screw holes on either side of the box, and I find it’s easier to have that done before connecting the wires (particularly on a heavy fixture that will need to be supported while wires are being connected. Wires may be connected to the fixture in different ways. In this case, the wires are wrapped around screws to make a connection. There may also be wires (of corresponding colors) in the fixture that would be connected to the ceiling wires with wire nuts.”

Read the continuation of the instructions here.

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Hometips.com also came up with an instructional guide on changing light fixtures. “When home improvement plans call for new lighting, there are several options from which to choose. Surface-mounted, track, and recessed fixtures all come in a wide variety of styles and price ranges to suit many different lighting and budget needs. But to make them work, you have to get the power to the lights, which means running wire.”

Bookmark the whole guide here.

The best recourse though for installing new lighting fixtures is to commission the services of a qualified electrician contractor to ensure the whole household’s safety.

Electrical Safety Measures during Typhoon Season

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