From movies candle-lit dinners, lighting is one of the most important factors in everything we do.  Science and technology teams around the world have put an amazing amount of effort into developing the sturdiest, longest-lasting lights for any application you can think of.  Color, saturation, brightness, and even beam shape are all important when it comes to picking the right light for the situation.  The best part?  Mood lighting is a careful art that’s pretty easy to pull off once you know which settings work best.  Romantic lighting is especially simple and can set the stage so long as you have the right room and the right lights.

It could be our culture that has led us to see certain settings as romantic.  But there are also a few scientific aspects of lighting that genuinely make a setting more romantic.  While it may be that decades of amber-colored lights or the flicker of candlelight have fashioned our notions of what makes for romantic lighting, there’s also the effect of the light itself to consider.

Light with a low color temperature (below 3000K, or ‘yellow’ light) produces a very interesting effect on surfaces.  These lights, which are standard for most incandescent lamps, soften features and improve appearances.  If you want to look good, use an incandescent lamp.  While not ideal for getting ready in the morning, a standard light gives that warm and cozy feeling we all enjoy from standard incandescent bulbs.

The next step is to keep the lights dimmer than normal.  Dimmer lighting creates a closer, more intimate feeling to any room.  But there is a trick to this.  Don’t simply remove a few light bulbs from the dining room, you need to use an actual dimmer.  Uneven lighting is jarring and distracting.  Removing lamps or relying on recessed lights that have been dimmed can ruin the effect.  Recessed lighting that’s been dimmed can create cave-lighting (when there are unintended dark corners along the upper part of the wall).  Uneven lighting isn’t cozy, it’s distracting.  Use a dimmer switch.  Just be sure to match your dimmer to the type of lights you’re using.  If you plan to use LED lamps, make sure the dimmer is compatible with your brand of LEDs.

When we say to keep lighting even, we don’t mean equal throughout the room.  Even lighting in this case is designed to highlight focus areas.  Think about how restaurants stagger their lighting, with islands of light at each table and muted lights everywhere else.  If you want the greatest effect, use a fixture that focuses a soft light where you’ll be spending your time while ambient lighting casts a light glow everywhere else.

A romantic setting demands more than just the right lighting.  Pair the lighting with a favorite meal or entertainment.  Some background music will set things off nicely, but only if you select something that matches the mood.  You may enjoy electronic dubstep, but when the lights are lower something quiet and soothing is the way to go.

For the best in quality electrical repair work and installations, contact the professionals at Custom Electric!  Be sure to check back here each week for helpful advice, news, and guides or follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Categories: Holiday Lighting« Why You Should Use a Surge Protector  |  What is a Circuit Panel? »

Sometimes replacing a light switch or an outlet can be a quick job done in an afternoon. You may think looking up a ‘how to’ video on YouTube is all you need. But remember, electricity is dangerous and if you are not sure about what you are doing, it is better left to a professional. Here are a few troubleshooting tips to review before calling a professional electrician.

A common problem that can occur is circuit breaker tripping. If you find that power to certain parts of your home is constantly being shut off and requires you to use the circuit breaker to turn it back on, the line could be overloaded. Having to many appliances or electrical devices on one circuit can be too much for the line to handle and will cause the breaker to trip. To avoid this, try placing devices on a different circuit or unplugging appliances before you begin using another. If you continue to have problems you may have an issue with the circuit or one of your electrical devices. It may be best to call an electrician to diagnose the problem further.

Light bulbs must be replaced from time to time; it’s unavoidable. A common problem you could experience is dim or flickering bulbs. Turn off the power to the bulb and replace it with one you know is working properly. If the problem persists, there may be an issue with the socket or the wiring and it is best that an electrician takes a look at the problem.

While there are countless problems you can experience in your home, a good rule of thumb is to stay within your comfort zone. Everyone has a different level of knowledge about electrical systems but if a problem exceeds your understanding, it is best left to a professional. If you are unfamiliar with rewiring new sockets and switches, leave them alone and call an electrician. Tampering and altering wire connections can result in serious injury if not done properly. Be very cautious if you come across an exposed wire or are constantly being shocked, you could have a major safety issue on your hands. Make sure you shut off all power to the area or appliance you are unsure about and contact a professional.

In an effort to recognize the ever-increasing impact television has on people living all over the world, the United Nations General Assembly created World Television Day on November 21 back in 1996.

Ever since the very first televised images were produced in the 1800s, TV has obviously advanced by leaps and bounds, especially in recent years. Mr. Electric invites you to take a moment to appreciate the many services and capabilities having a television provides, particularly in a time of multi-screening, and all the advanced features available from today’s hottest technological offerings.

Education: Public broadcasting and other educational channels serve to educate the young and old alike. Television is an excellent resource for learning how the world works and getting people interested in math, science and other important fields.

Information: Whether you’re hoping to learn more about political candidates, receive updates on wars, learn what’s happening in your local community, or stay on top of breaking news around the world, TV is an excellent source of information. It’s faster than printed news because the latest stories can be broadcasted immediately.

Entertainment: There’s nothing like winding down after a long day in front of the television. Endless categories of entertainment are available, from comedies and dramas to horror and thrillers. Don’t forget the way TV has changed the way we watch sports. Football wouldn’t be what it is today with television.

Relationships: People can bond with one another based on what’s on TV. Whether it’s watching a favorite show together, tuning in to a political debate to spark conversation or watching your team make it to the Super Bowl, TV brings people together.

Inspiration: Just as people can be inspired by what they see walking down the street, television can also spark inspiration. This leads to new fashion designs, inventions and technological advancements.

Cultural influences: TV is a huge contributor to pop culture. Trendy shows become the talk of the town. People become excited about what happens to the characters in a particular TV show and an entire generation is impacted by it.

TVs are becoming more advanced and high-tech than ever before. These advancements help you get more out of your television.

“Smart” functionality: A smart TV has Internet features, making it an example of today’s popular convergence of computers and televisions. This functionality opens up an entirely new way to watch TV, allowing for on-demand video streaming, home networking access and social media interaction, in addition to the basic broadcasting media available on standard TVs.

Multi-screening: An increasing number of people have Smartphones today. This encourages multi-screening, when television viewers weigh in on what’s happening live on social media, particularly Twitter. This connects people who have never met and lets them discuss and debate topics they’re both interested in.

4K resolution: Also known as ultra high definition, 4K resolution is a relatively new technology that has yet to become the standard because compatible content is still quite limited. 4K televisions are equivalent to 2160p, as compared to 1080p for standard high definition. As this technology becomes more ubiquitous, the television-watching experience will become closer to real life than ever before.

Curved TVs: This new innovation attempts to mimic the way you perceive the real world. The result is a more immersive, realistic experience that gives the illusion of watching content in a wider field of view.

Celebrate World Television Day in style with a new media room in your home. If you’re interested in adding one, please contact Mr. Electric® for a professional installation. We’re here to power your home's tomorrow.

Electrical ballast replacements are a common project in both residential homes and commercial buildings. An electrical ballast is a device used to regulate electrical currents so that they do not reach uncontrollable levels. A common application of electrical ballasts is those found in any type of light structure such as fluorescent or neon lighting systems. Depending on the size of the replacement project, a licensed electrician isn’t always necessary; however, if you don’t have the proper tools or experience, it is a good idea to consult with a licensed electrician before attempting the replacement. To simplify the procedure, here are the answers to three common questions about electrical ballast replacement.

Similar to replacing a light bulb, if you have any type of neon or fluorescent light, you will eventually need to replace the electrical ballast in the lighting structure. Replacing the electrical ballast is a more reasonable solution than replacing the entire neon or fluorescent light structure. You will know when it’s time to replace the electrical ballast because the light will begin flickering or will stop working entirely.

Yes, you can perform a ballast replacement yourself. While ballast replacement can be a simple procedure, if not done properly you can cause damage to your replacement bulb but also the fixture. Before performing the replacement yourself, make sure you are confident and understand all the steps involved or you could end up with expensive bills you were trying to avoid. If you require assistance or have any questions about electrical ballast replacement, contact our team of licensed electricians at Expert Electric. We would be happy to help.

Thankfully, an electrical ballast replacement does not require a fully stocked tool shed in order to be completed. For most electrical ballast replacements, a few simple tools will do the trick. Depending on the type and size of your replacement, your replacement may require a simple screwdriver, nut driver, drill, pliers and wire stripper. This is in addition to the new electrical ballast which you will be replacing.

For more information on electrical ballast replacement, please contact the licensed electricians at Expert Electric. You can reach us at 604-681-8338 or you can book an appointment online through our website. For 24/7 immediate response emergency service, please fill out a form on our website so that we can get in touch with you as soon as possible. We offer various types of electrician services including electric water heaters, surge protectors, ceiling fan installation and we service all throughout the Greater Vancouver area and Lower Mainland.