If you are planning on renovating or sprucing-up your kitchen, it’s probably a good idea to map out a detailed lighting plan as well. Most people find this a little strange as they feel that lighting in a kitchen isn’t something that needs too much of consideration or planning. It’s just a place where you cook and probably where you have an informal meal after all.

However, the fact is that it’s important to plan kitchen illumination well if you want to make optimal use of your kitchen spaces. Here, we would like to share some basic lighting ideas to create the right balance of functionality and aesthetics.

If you want to get a better idea about what type of lighting would work best for your kitchen, it’s vital to understand how your kitchen spaces relate to the different type of lighting. Let’s start off with understanding what type of bulbs you can use for the best effects:

These bulbs emit a yellowish light and you will now find many artistic versions of these on the market today.

These bulbs throw off a flat, cold light that has a bluish tinge, which lends a very harsh effect to the room.

These have a warm light that makes the place look very inviting and comfortable

These are the latest in light bulb technology and are available in a range of effects including white, cool daylight, warm light, yellow and a range of other colours and hues. Aside from this, LED bulbs are also 80% more energy-efficient than standard bulbs; and most property owners are now opting for these fixtures.

In addition to the types of bulbs used, the style of lighting or the lighting effects are what impact the ambience and appearance of a room. With this in view, here we discuss the different lighting effects that can be used in your kitchen:

This is one of the simplest ways to create the right lighting effect in your kitchen. This type of lighting is designed to help you move comfortably around the room. In most instances this type of lighting comes from grid-style can lighting, widely-spaced, wall and ceiling lamps, semi-translucent skylights or even the natural light that streams in through glass windows and doors. This is the base layer of any lighting plan.

In your kitchen, task lighting would be required to illuminate kitchen counters and food preparation spaces. Since you will be cooking in your kitchen every day, it’s important that the task lighting be planned and installed well. If you have only recessed lighting fixtures in your kitchen, you will feel the lack of focused light when you are cleaning, cooking or prepping in that space.

If you install one-dimensional lighting in the kitchen, it creates unsightly shadows in different areas of the room, while ceiling lighting is ineffective in illuminating spaces like sinks, under counter or cabinet areas etc. On the other hand, if you add special pendant lamps over the counters or even your kitchen island it can prove to be a more practical solution. Under-cabinet lighting can also help in illuminating the cabinets that are positioned there.

This effect doesn’t seem as necessary as ambient or task lighting does in a kitchen space, as the illumination it provides isn’t as functional as the first two. However, it can have a significant impact on the way your kitchen spaces look. If you want to enhance the appeal of your kitchen (regardless of whether you are getting it entirely renovated or are opting for a lighting upgrade), it’s important that you plan your accent lighting well.

Geeks everywhere rejoice. July 13 is “Embrace Your Geekness Day,” a day that allows geeks to show off their knowledge of video games and technology.  The word “geek,” as defined by Merriam Webster, is “an enthusiast or expert in a technological field or activity.” To celebrate “Embrace Your Geekness Day,” Mr. Electric has five old technologies modern geeks should be thankful for.

Ever since being patented by Alexander Graham Bell as an “apparatus for transmitting vocal or other sounds telegraphically” in 1876, the telephone soared as a must-have technological household item. The invention of the telephone, along with computer technology, eventually led to the invention of the smart phone. Geeks everywhere can thank Bell for their latest app.

The original purpose of the modern computer was to carry out mathematical and logical operations automatically. The year 1939 brought about the first electric computer for routine use.  In 1973 computers with graphical interfaces, keyboards and a mouse were sold commercially. Research and development allowed for several other uses of computers. By the mid 1990s, home computers became commonplace, and a surge of web users began after 1994.

The first generation video game consoles appeared in the 1950s but could not be connected to home televisions. In 1972, Magnavox released the Magnavox Odyssey, the first home video game system. Future generations would bring about the Atari, Nintendo Entertainment System, PlayStation and Xbox, leading tech geeks to celebrate over saving Princess Peach and conquering Tetris.

Although originally sold in low numbers, televisions have been commercially available since the late 1920s. Black and white consoles were the norm until 1972, when color television sales overtook black and white console sales. Continued research and development over the years have seen an increase in screen sizes, flat technology and exponential increases in picture and sound quality.

The Internet is one of the most influential developments to help people get their geek on. Research commissioned by the Federal Government in the 1960s led to the present day Internet. The first message sent via the Internet was between UCLA and Stanford University in 1969. Evolving from there, the Internet would enter homes, schools and businesses by the mid 1990s. Mr. Electric encourages you to embrace your geekness on July 13 and give thanks to all of the tech geeks who came before you.

LED fixtures, such as

With energy consumption that is less than half of what 150-watt LED parking lot light that is a direct replacement for 400-watt metal-halide (MH) fixtures. That’s 250 watts less for the same amount of light!

The average price of electricity per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is 12 cents. To figure out the monthly cost of running 25 LED parking lot lights for 11 hours per day, use this formula: (combined wattage x monthly hours of use)/1,000 x price per kWh. For 25 LED lights, (3,750 x 330)/1,000 x .12) the total would be $148.50 per month or $1,782 per year.

When the same formula is used for 400-watt MH fixtures, the monthly cost is $396, and yearly cost would be $4,752. So, in this situation, switching to LED fixtures would save approximately $3,000 per year. When coupled with the savings on maintenance, LED fixtures can save $6,470 per year. At that rate, the cost of 25 $340 LED fixtures would be recouped within two years.

Left: LED wall packs; Right: HID wall packs

Unlike LED fixtures that light up instantly, HID parking lot lights require a warmup period of up to 10 minutes before they reach full brightness. They also can’t be turned immediately back on after being switched off; this is called restrike time, and it can take up to 15 minutes before they can be turned on again. Attempting to power on the lights before the bulbs have cooled can damage a fixture’s components and cause the HID bulb to fail sooner.

HID lamps consist of a ballast and a quartz tube that contains gas, metal salts, and two tungsten electrodes. In order to create light, an electric arc passes from one electrode to the other through a gas (most commonly mercury, metal halide, or sodium). The mercury used in this process is dangerous if enough is inhaled or released into the environment. If an HID bulb bursts, all contents should be put into a sealed container or sealed bag and taken to a recycling center or hazardous waste facility. If HID fixtures are used indoors, wall packs and canopy lights, are used indoors, the possibility of ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure should be taken into consideration. HID bulbs emit a substantial amount of UV radiation, but an outer glass envelope prevents the radiation from escaping. However—according to the FDA—”If the outer bulb breaks and the inner tube continues to operate unshielded, intense UV radiation is emitted. UV exposure at this level can cause eye and skin burns, as well as blurred or double vision, headaches, and nausea.” The UV light from an HID bulb with a broken envelope can also lead to discoloration of items and fabric. LEDs emit little to no UV radiation.

In short, LED lights are a better alternative to HID parking lot lights. They offer a great deal in the way of savings, longevity, maintenance reduction, brightness, color, and safety. While it may take a short amount of time to recoup the price of switching to LEDs, all of their qualities make it easy to see why so many businesses have started the process.

For technical questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 866-590-3533. Our customer service and technical support teams are available from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT on Friday.

This winter, Mr. Electric® wants to help you power your tomorrow by choosing the best holiday lighting gadgets. We searched all around to find you the top four lights and tools for your home displays!

This is a great way to light your outdoors without using energy and without using an outlet. The sun will charge the lights during the day and will turn on automatically when the sun sets. Each package contains 50 lights over 23 feet, making this an affordable alternative to outdoor lighting.

Source: Solar Powered Light Strings

This is a durable and heavy duty timer that helps you control your holiday lights.  It has one grounded outlet and a manual ON/OFF switch. This comes with an 18-inch cord and grounded plug to make it a durable timer that’s a safe choice to use on Christmas lights, landscape lighting or fountains.

Source: Outdoor Timer

These LED light strips are designed to be versatile. You can cut or bend them to fit your custom displays. The hue app allows you to change your light colors and turn ON/OFF all from your mobile device or tablet. We also love the efficiency of these lights and have a good feeling more and more people will began using these, instead of the traditional lights, in the future.

Source: LED Light Strips

The Light Keeper Pro is a small hand-held tool capable of fixing mini light sets, icicle and net light sets, yard decorations, pre-lit trees and wreaths. Simply plug in your light set and press the trigger to repair most of your lighting problems.

Source: Light Keeper Pro

Show off your holiday light displays by tagging us in them on our Facebook page. Don’t forget – if you need some holiday lighting help, you can give us a call and we will set up and take down for you!