By Clarissa Allison | January 6th, 2017

A new year is the perfect opportunity to achieve balance at work and at home. Many of us have big plans for 2017, and making aesthetic and practical changes to our surroundings can kick start a positive influence that lasts throughout the year. One of the ways to refresh our environment is to experiment with new lighting options in our decor choices. Read on for lighting suggestions that will keep you on trend as well as helping with energy savings!

Arc and Tripod Floor Lamps

Lighting fixtures as main focal points  and statement pieces are what’s happening now. Modern and sleek designs that that take center stage can transform an entire space. Floor lamps in unexpected silhouettes such as arcing designs, and with clean details like linen shades add a fun dimension to dark metals. Highly stylized but simple floor lamps have returned as an important design element, and arcing floor lamps complement your reading nook or living room perfectly. Likewise, tripod floor lamps offer the mid-century appeal created by the sophisticated Scandinavian designs of the 1960′s.

Industrial Lighting Fixtures

 Jewel Toned Accents

Last year, decorating in pastel shades of pink and blue were a common sight in contemporary homes, but jewel tones are now what’s in demand going forward. Look for lighting fixtures in berry hues with accents like scroll-work, chrome or rounded details. Even a lampshade in a rich tone conveys a warmth and romantic element to your surroundings. The best part? You don’t have to purchase large, expensive pieces to achieve this look. Simply add a couple of pretty table lamps to a sofa table to set the baseline for your living room’s theme.

Smart Home Lighting

Chances are, the computer, tablet or phone that you are using to read this post is powered by electricity produced by coal, natural gas or nuclear energy. Currently, the overwhelming bulk of power for the nation's electrical work is generated in large, centralized plants that use those three fuels. However, with the rise of renewable energy sources as well as a transition to modern and responsive grid technology, the country's electric infrastructure is poised to move toward a more dispersed generation system. Read on to learn what that means for you.

Huge Generating Plants Vulnerable to Disruption

According to the Energy Information Administration, 39 percent of the nation's electricity comes from coal, 27 percent from natural gas and 19 percent from nuclear fuel. In addition to being non-renewable, the three fuels that make up 85 percent of our electricity production also work best in massive power plants that produce large amounts of power, which is then sent out long distances through the grid to power our electrical work.

This large-scale generation has advantages – economies of scale, for one – but it is also inflexible and can be subject to disruption. An event that causes a plant to shut down or interrupts its distribution, for example, could leave entire communities without power. The grid is also, in effect, a one-way street – electricity leaves the generating plant and arrives at your home, where it is consumed.

Renewable Energy and Advancing Technology

However, several changes are occurring that will create a more dispersed and flexible generation system to power our electrical work. For one, the share of renewable energy sources, which don't require large generating plants, is continuing to grow. Solar panels are popping up on rooftops across America, while wind power could provide as much as a third of the electricity in the country by 2050. In addition to being far better for the environment than fossil fuels, these power generators can scale down to even a household-by-household basis.

The other change that is facilitating a more dispersed power generation system is an advance in technology in the electric grid, which allows power to flow in two directions, both to your home and away from your home. That means that electricity can be generated almost anywhere and then zipped along the power lines to wherever it is needed. Breakthroughs in power storage technology will also help guide us toward a future where the power for our electrical work is created when and where it's needed, freeing us from the constraints created by large, inflexible power plants.

Generate Electricity at Your Own Home

If you want to learn more about adding renewable power sources to your property, or need any other electrical work done, call up an expert electrician today.

When taking on a new remodeling project, you’ll have the job of selecting a Pasadena electrician that can take care of the electrical bidding aspect of your project. Of course you’ll want to get the best possible results for the most reasonable amount of money; however, besides the bid estimate for the work to be done, there’s so much more involved when selecting the right electrician.

To make sure that you are making the best choice for your home or business remodeling project, here are some helpful ideas:

1) Decide on exactly what your remodel project will involve, and what type of electrical repairs or installations you’ll need from your electrician in Pasadena. Next, schedule an electrical estimate with a licensed Pasadena electrician.

2) Explain and discuss what you think needs to be done with your electrician and let him know if have any special wiring concerns, and/or if you’d like to provide any of the lighting fixtures yourself. Remember, you can save money by purchasing your electrical fixtures on your own, and this will ensure that you’ll have exactly what you want.

3) Once you receive your bid, make a list of any additional questions you might have about your bid, and ask your electrician to explain the bid to you in detail so that you can have a better understanding of how they arrived at their bid price.

4) Consider the reputation and the range of electrical services of your electrician. Pasadena professional electricians will insist on performing an electrical safety assessment; too, before the job is begun. The Electric Connection can competently take care of this type of electrical assessment for you.

You can visit TheElectricConnection.com website and give us a call to speak with us about getting a free electrical estimate for your remodeling project or new electrical installation. We will be able to assist you by connecting you with an electrician who can answer all of your questions, and we would look forward to serving you!