The media room is perhaps the most lived-in area of your home.  Whether you are watching TV or reading a book, the lighting should be comfortable, energy-efficient and beautifying.  Tune in to a picture-perfect setting with lighting tips from Capitol Lighting’s professional consultants.

1. Track and Recessed:  General or ambient lighting is a must in any room, but it is especially important in a multi-functional space such as a den or media room where there will be a wide range of activities that call for specific light settings.  Overhead lighting should be installed as part of the initial room design.   Oftentimes, a standard grid lighting pattern does not work well with your seating and furniture layout, so it is best to draw up your lighting design in the initial stages of planning.

NOTE:  In general, recessed cans should be installed 30 inches away from the wall and 4-5 feet apart.

Track heads, recessed and/or rail lights should be strategically located so as not to create glare or cast unflattering shadows upon individuals in the room.

Rail lighting from WAC Lighting highlights artwork;  hanging pendants provide soft ambient illumination and artistic accent light.  Rail and track lighting are highly versatile and allow for easy adjustments if you decide to change your decor.

2. Wall Lighting: Wall lights work well in a media room as they expand the space and provide an evenly distributed balanced illumination.

Image from HGTV.com “Must-see Media Rooms”

“Jaxon” wall lighting from Troy Lighting, available in a variety of color options

3.  Portables:  From sturdy reading lamps to decorative table lamps, portables are a useful addition to the multifunctional media room.  They provide individualized task light, as well as general illumination throughout the room.

Room design by Sandra D’Amata International

Ambience table lamp (shown above), Frederick Cooper “Script Reader” floor lamp and Minka-Aire’s “Great Room” fan from Capitol Lighting

4. Control Systems:  Dimming and automated control systems are a must for the media room.  Even if you have programmed your lighting controls into your Smart phone, wall switches with a variety of room settings and dimming capabilities are a good idea and are available in a choice of colors to complement your rooms’s decor.

Dimmer switch from Kichler Lighting

5. Special Considerations:  LED bulbs and LED light fixtures are suitable for media room lighting designs, just be careful to choose all your light sources with the correct color rendering, color temperature and shielding. Look for LED light sources that are dimmable and in warm (2700K)  color temperatures. *

LED torchiere floor lamp from Holtkotter

* Solid State Lighting and LED light sources are being refined so that predictable color rendering and color temperature will be more visually accurate.  A new metric to measure LED illumination is in the works:  The Color Quality Scale (CQS) will help to identify the visual characteristics of LED light sources more clearly, but right now–a bit of trial and error may help you find LED light sources that are complementary to your media room’s decor.

3 Keys to Remember:

*  Avoid having sharp areas of contrast between dark and light–illumination should be evenly dispersed with slight variations that allow your eyes to transition from reading a book, conversing with friends or watching  TV.

* Make sure lighting/fan controls are easily accessible–opt for a remote control system in addition to wall switches.

* Go for the most energy-efficient light sources, but do not sacrifice the overall look of your room.   If you are not using fluorescent or LED light sources, opt for eco-halogen or top quality incandescent bulbs in portable light sources.

Do you know where your electric meter is located? Knowing how to find this piece of equipment AND how to read it are important for any home or building owner. Your electric meter reading provides you with information on your energy usage so that you can monitor it, helping you save energy and money. This also allows you to easily determine whether your monthly utility bill is accurate, so that you are not overspending unnecessarily.

It’s not difficult to learn how to read an electric meter. Most DC-area residences have one of two kinds of meters—a digital meter or an older model with a series of dials. Both types measure the kilowatt hours (kWh) that your household uses, which is also the measure used on your utility bill.

The secret to making sense of either type of meter is comparing the current reading with a prior reading or the number on your billing statement. Read the dials of older meters from left to right. There should be five dials. If the pointer on a dial is between numbers, choose the lower number. If the pointer looks to be exactly on a number, read the next lower number (unless the dial immediately to its right has passed zero). Digital meters are even simpler to read. The number displayed indicates the current usage.

To determine electric usage, take the reading from the previous day or month and subtract it from the current number. The difference will give you the amount of electricity your household used during that period. Any discrepancy between this figure and what’s on your energy bill is reason to take a second look.

If you have a question for your electric company, you’ll also want to tell them the meter number (usually located at the bottom of the meter).

Like any piece of electrical equipment, your electric meter should be handled (or NOT handled) with care. While it’s a good idea to monitor your electricity usage, it’s a bad idea to touch your meter. In fact, tampering with your electric meter is a crime in most areas. It’s also important to maintain clear access to your meter by keeping snow, trees, and bushes from obstructing view of the meter.

For more information on how to read an electric meter and how it can be helpful to you, call Kolb Electric. We can provide you with further tips to help you save on future electrical bills and install more efficient electrical systems, such as LED lighting, that will save you even more. We may also perform an infrared thermography inspection that helps to detect issues in your home, such as a roof leak or loose electrical connections, that are causing your heat to escape or your appliances to operate inefficiently.

Call now to schedule service if you’re located in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC—877-287-1179877-287-1179. 

If you have been debating whether or not to make the move to solar power, you probably have a few questions and concerns. There has been a lot of attention given to alternative energy as the world becomes more aware of the lack of natural resources. Governments are also promoting solar energy with some perks like tax breaks for those who decide to have solar panels installed. An electrician in Beverly Hills will need to install the solar panels. The electricians at The Electric Connection have experience in this field and can help you rely on the sun for electricity.

Energy costs are going to keep going up. That is a fact we have all accepted, but what if you could keep your hard-earned money in your pocket while doing something good for the environment? Solar panels that harness the sun’s energy are the perfect way to do just that. One of the many points of resistance for those who are considering solar power is the idea they will run out of electricity. You don’t have to worry about that if you are still connected to the power grid. The electric company’s power will be your backup plan for those times when your solar powered system can’t keep up with your home’s demands.

A Beverly Hills electrician will install the panels and the necessary conversion system to transform the sun’s rays into the electricity you need to watch television, take a hot shower or charge your cell phone. You will have the flexibility to choose just how much you want to rely on solar energy. You can have just a couple of panels installed to start out with. Once you get used to solar power, you can upgrade your system to include more panels. If you want to learn more about having solar panels installed, give The Electric Connection a call today.

• True to form

• Tailored and elegant

• Clean lines and natural hues

• NEW and Exciting!

A burst of crystal, metallic ribbons, streamers and champagne glasses, if this contemporary winner from Corbett Lighting does not set the scene for a good time, you need to find a new playgroup!  Finished in Modern Silver, “Party All Night” from Corbett Lighting is cutting-edge contemporary with the fun and flair of whimsical style.

“Aleeka” from Kichler Lighting is a swirling mix of concentric circles and shaded orbs.  A fascination of motion with a Classic Pewter finish simply and elegantly defines modern-contemporary style.

“Starfire” from Maxim Lighting takes xenon illumination to the next level. Polished Chrome and Beveled Crystal deliver a sparkling exuberance that is exciting and unique.

“Barclay” from Savoy House exudes strength and an edgy, trend-setting style.  The Gilded Bronze finish, mesh drum shade and cascades of  handcrafted chain brilliantly integrate Mediterranean and industrial characteristics.

“Jennings” from Crystorama showcases classic contemporary in an intricately designed metallic shade.  The Polished Nickel geometric cutout is attractively illuminated around the crisp linen drum shade.

“Pearla” from Eurofase combines LED light sources, a polycarbonate diffuser and a hand-polished chrome finish.  Like a strand of fine pearls,  this contemporary whirl of illumination is substantial and opulent.

“Travis” from Hudson Valley presents an ultra glamorous sophistication reminiscent of the “Golden Age” of cinema and Hollywood Regency style.  Sleek and elegant, prisms of cut glass encase candle holders for a fascinating play of illumination.

“Quill” from Hubbardton Forge is a marvel of rectilinear and planar geometry with branching structures and feather-like plumes in a Vintage Platinum finish.  LEDs and infinitely adjustable horizontal or vertical cable offer a fantastic array of hanging options and lighting effects.

“Corfo” from Eurofase offers a playful visual symposium like a crystalline rainfall embedded in Chrome coils.  Decorative light sources emanate a dazzling illumination within this powerful lighting design.

“Flagship” from Access Lighting makes a show-stopping presentation.  Metal panels, robust peripheral light sources and a powerful downlight offer ideal illumination, handsomely designed with timeless, contemporary grandeur.

The Dallas Market

Professional lighting consultants from Capitol Lighting have meticulously reviewed hundreds of showrooms filled with the latest LED innovations, as well as contemporary dining room fixtures, portable lamps, outdoor lights, ceiling fans and chandeliers from elite lighting manufacturers around the world, including top vendors in the US, Europe and Asia.