Your Guide to Energy Efficient Light Bulbs in 2017

Lighting is very important in our lives as it can affect our moods. Installing beautiful light fixtures to a home adds accent and flavor to a room. You may call our Maryland Electrician Pros to install a light fixture and if so, they can also guide you about light bulbs. If you don´t choose the right kind of bulbs you may be spending more on energy bills and replacing them often.

Let´s consider the more modern light bulbs in our day that can light up your room perfectly, can avoid you from empty pockets and most of all, can contribute to making your home more a positive green one!

LED LIGHTING is the way to go!

LED stands for Light Emitting Diodes. These light bulbs are absolutely energy efficient. Manufacturers have evolved the use of LED lights by joining the single bulb use to making clusters we see in flashlights and headlamps. LED is one directional lighting as incandescent bulbs have light spread spherically. LED is fantastic for underneath cabinet lighting but not for table lamps. However, LED designers have further evolved to solve this limitation by putting diffusers and reflectors to spread the light like an incandescent bulb.

Check out the benefits

LED lighting lasts longer than your basic incandescent bulbs. It can last up to 10 times longer than compact fluorescents.
You can save more as LED lighting does not cause heat build-up, which means, less cost on your air conditioning.
They are strong against any kind of movement that would easily damage your typical incandescent bulb because they are solid.
No mercury is used to make LED lights
LED lights only use 2-17 watts of electricity, which is 1/3^rd to 1/30^th of incandescent bulbs or CFL bulbs. Using LED bulbs in your home´s light fixtures, will save you on electricity, money and will keep your home cool.
You will get your money back. It may seem expensive to pay for light bulbs but in the end, over time you will get even more back since it will last longer; save you money and you would not be replacing the light bulbs as often if you would have resorted to your typical light bulbs.

What to look for

Every year, there are new styles to choose from as the lighting industry keeps pace with new technology. When you shop for your LED light bulbs, there are a few things to consider.

In hallways that have no natural light flow to spaces where you do, you will have to keep in mind how much brightness you would want. Most commonly, many use wattage to measure bulb illumination; for example a 9W LED would be equivalent to a 45 W incandescent bulb. The more recent method to compare illumination is Lumens, which is perceived brightness. When the lumen is rated higher it means the bulb is brighter.

More efficiently, there are LED lights that are a 3-way bulb. This bulb eliminates your 30, 60 to 75-watt incandescent bulb and consumes 80% less power! Plus, it is omnidirectional, meaning the lighting would be the same like using an incandescent bulb.

You can choose from warm light which is for accent lighting or cool light, which is for working light.
You can also choose light bulbs for places you want to have a dimmer.
Remember when paying cheap you get cheap. Please do not buy cheap bulbs as they will need to be replaced almost immediately because they use low-quality chips.
Most of all, look for certifications! For example: FCC, Energy Star or UL
LED lights have different styles to offer for many different functions. They also come in different colors like: red, green, blue, white and amber.

LED- WILL LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE!

There are so many home expenses to think about and many do forget about light bulbs. However, from now on you know light bulbs have a huge factor on your energy expenses. We often forget to turn off the lights when we are done occupying a living space. But remember, electrical lighting contributes to about 25% of the average home energy budget. LED lights are the way to go as it can offer you the same affects as an incandescent light bulb but with more lasting benefits. No doubt it will light up your life!

How do I wire a Ceiling Fan?

You want a ceiling fan? That’s a great idea and there are a variety of styles out there that can be just perfect for your home. Ceiling fans do not lower a rooms temperature or take humidity from the air. However you can save a lot more energy and money long term when you can turn off the air conditioning or raise the thermostat a bit higher and leave the rest to the ceiling fan. You can save approximately 3 to 5 percent on AC costs for each degree you raise the thermostat and when you turn on the ceiling fan it can make you feel 4 degrees Fahrenheit cooler. Better yet, you save more as ceiling fans work to cool you instead of the room so you can turn it off when you leave.
Now that you went out and bought your ceiling fan, let´s wire it!

BEFORE

First and foremost, TURN OFF power to the existing light fixture at your circuit box and make sure there is no current using a circuit tester. Also put the wall switches on the off position.
If the location where you are going to install the ceiling fan has separate switch controls for the fan and light, label the wires so you will know which wire goes with each function.

KEEP IN MIND: If there is a control for your fan on a wall switch, confirm that you have the right switch as a few fans only function with preset multi-speed switches. Do not use the fan with any solid-state speed control device, dimmer switch or speed change unless it is actually made to be used with a ceiling fan. Electric motors are not comparable with the same dimmer switches as light bulbs are. Also if the electrical box has wiring for separate fan and light switches and you don’t plan on installing light with your fan, trim off the bare portions of the wires for the light and wrap it with electrical tape and twist into a cap to secure the ends.

ELECTRICAL BOX: Check if the box in the ceiling is compatible with ceiling fans. You may see a fan weight rating and the box must be attached to the building structure to support the ceiling fan, be grounded or have a ground wire in the ceiling. When in doubt, just buy and install a new one to make sure it is adaptable for the ceiling fan and it´s weight. Or if you’re more in doubt, don’t hesitate to call an electrician.
INSTALLING THE CEILING FAN
For a fan with a downrod, pass the wires through the canopy trim ring, canopy and downrod. Run the wires on one side of the pin in the dowrod ball. For a flush-mount fan, pass the wires from the fan motor through the top housing, trim ring and canopy.
Downrod installation: insert the downrod into the collar yoke on the fan motor and secure it to the motor assembly following manufacturer´s instructions. Flush-mount: attach the top housing, trim ring and canopy to the fan motor assembly.
Cut and strip the fan wires if necessary according to manufacturer´s instructions.
Use a circuit tester to make sure the power is off.
Use the wire connectors to join the wires according to the manufacturer´s instructions. It can vary depending if you are wiring for two switches to have the fan and light separate or to have a single switch. No bare wire or wire filaments should be exposed after connecting the wires, except the bare or green ground wire. It is always good to secure the wire connectors with electrical tape to prevent vibration during operation.
Insert the wires into the electrical box, maintaining the green and white wires separate from the black wire. If your fan includes a light kit or a separate light switch, you will have additional wiring. You can move it on to the same side of the black wire. Once everything is attached you can start mounting the rest of the ceiling fan according to the manufacturer´s instructions.
Is it right for you?

When choosing a ceiling fan, it´s environmentally friendly to choose one that has an Energy Star label as it moves air about 20% more efficiently than your standard models. As there is not much you can do to make an electric motor more efficient than another modern motor, the main technology used to make ceiling fan motors more efficient is using brushless motors. Energy Star fans included with light kits are also about 60% more efficient and you can save more on your utility bills yearly.

It is best to install a ceiling fan in the center of the room, at minimal 7 feet above or 8-9 feet for efficient airflow. Blade tips should not be closer than 24 inches from the wall and from drapes. Each fan has specific manufacturer´s instructions so your fan will work to its optimal potential.

If you want a ceiling fan in a bathroom or outside on your ceiling closed-in patio, it would be wise to get fans that meet requirements for wet/damp ratings. Fans that are made for constant moisture or salt air are sealed with moisture-resistant motors, rust-resistant housing, stainless steel hardware and all-weather blades.

Keep it Clean

Your fans should at least be cleaned at least once a season. When it’s dirty you are losing its efficiency of air flow. A ceiling fan that is covered with dust or pollen can easily cause health risks especially when you have one in the kitchen while cooking.

No doubt adding a ceiling fan to any room just adds more comfort to your home and most of all you save a lot from your pocket.

Hire A Pro

If you live local to southern maryland or charles county and need some help, call Southern Maryland Electrician Pros and we’ll be out in a jiffy.

Tag: electrician