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.

Lighting technology around the world has come a long way from what it was a decade ago and many residential and commercial property owners are now opting for CBUS/Smart Lighting. This is essentially a microprocessor-based wiring system that controls the lighting on your property and the electrical appliances or devices you have there.

These controls can be used to switch on or off lighting circuits; they can also be used to switch off and on analogue-type controls such as the dimming of electronic fluorescent ballasts. A smart lighting system is able to control & automate almost any kind of electrical load. The system has an in-built microprocessor which ensures the operation of the system will be reliable.

Each device can be programmed individually through a PC-based software (point & click) or even via the “learn mode” that doesn’t need a PC at all. The information this system holds, lies within individual units and not one central point. While regular CBUS operation doesn’t really require a computer, the PC-based system provides added flexibility to those who require this control and is suitable for a broad range of applications such as:

Regardless of whether you are a commercial or residential property owner, you want to ensure your property is secure and sound. When you choose to get this system installed and integrate your security system into it, it provides you a higher level of security.

No matter whether you are out on a holiday or at work, your smart home system will ensure you get all the security information about your property. You can also set the lighting settings in such a way that the lights can get periodically turned on & off; this gives the impression that there’s someone at home.

Since the electrical and lighting systems on your property are cleverly operated by the CBUS system, it helps reduce power consumption; it does this by preventing your air-conditioning and lighting systems from staying on for much longer than required. These features make your property energy-efficient and smart at the same time.

For more information, simply speak with the experts at Allround Electrical and take their advice on various aspects of CBUS installations. The number to call is – 1300 169 263. You can also write to us at this email address. You may also reach us through this online contact form.

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The good news is that heating systems in modern homes are safer than they’ve ever been before. But while many people never experience any major risk to their safety due to a furnace or boiler, it’s still a possibility. Any heating system that uses combustion to work, like a natural gas furnace, could potentially leak a dangerous gas called carbon monoxide (CO, for short) into the home.

The heat exchanger is where combustion produces a flame as natural gas ignites. This heat is contained within a heat exchanger made of aluminum or steel. It is essentially a curved tube, and the smoke and carbon monoxide byproducts vent through the other end and out of the house. Air blows over the heat exchanger to heat up and is sent to the ducts running throughout the home.

Unfortunately, over time, the heat exchanger can become damaged. This is especially true if you have anyone but a professional technician work on your furnace, but it can also happen with time. You should have HVAC technicians inspect your heating system each and every year to check for leaks and cracks.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas. That means you wouldn’t have many ways to notice if it were in your home. It is poisonous, and sometimes people don’t know about it until people in the house start to get sick.

Carbon monoxide detectors save lives. A CO detector near each room where people sleep (and throughout your living spaces) should be tested each month and replaced every 5-10 years. You should also replace the batteries for your CO and smoke alarms every 6 months (even if the test works).

Without a service panel upgrade, homeowners will experience several issues due to an outdated panel. Flickering lights, odd sounds from a fuse box, tripping breakers, and even even cars that require this kind of circuit.

If you’re constantly dealing with lighting issues or your outlets just don’t seem to work as well as they use to, then don’t procrastinate. Upgrading your service panel can clearly help in so many ways, especially when it comes down your family and their safety. Always call an electrician if you sense a problem with your service panel, that way they can assess the issue and clearly identify a solution.