We’re thrilled to offer new LED Skylights! Designed for dental office lighting, hospital lighting, classroom lighting, waiting rooms, basements, or other applications with suspended grid ceilings, the decorative LED light panels are an innovative alternative to window skylights. They feature vivid sky designs that are printed directly on panel lenses. Using Even-Glow® technology and diffused optical lenses, these panel lights deliver smooth, flawless illumination without visible bulbs or hot spots. The 2-by-2-foot and 2-by-4-foot panels are available in dimmable and non-dimmable versions. Dimmable panels offer an alternative ceiling and wall surface-mount option in addition to suspended grid ceiling mounting.

LEDs in the panel lights are designed to last three times longer than fluorescent tube light bulbs without the notorious hum or flicker they produce. Each LED panel light has a slim aluminum alloy frame. Non-dimmable panels are equipped with a UL-Recognized constant-current driver. Dimmable panels have an internal 0-10-volt dimmable constant-current driver. Dimming can be achieved with a 0-10-volt switch or by using the light’s power-cycle feature to activate set brightness levels. The energy-efficient panel lights operate within a wide 100-277V AC range.

Sun Beams

Jet Set

Summer Sky

Balloon 1

Balloon 2

The temperature outside is starting to rise, and it appears this summer with have some great weather. That means if you have a pool, you will be using it quite often. Consider having your pool inspected if this is the first season it will be used, or you own a pool with an electrical system. This is a recommend inspection to ensure that your family and guests are safe when they are swimming.

To regulate the temperature of your pool, you likely have a heating/cooling system connected. This could be connected to your home’s electrical system or a solar powered generator with wires above or below ground. Over the last couple of seasons your pool and its wires could have taken damage from the elements or animals, this could result in exposed wires. All wires that are connected to the pool should be inspected. If there is any contact between the water and electrical wires it could result in a serious electrical shock to swimmers. So before you begin filling up your pool and turning on your temperature regulation system, make sure there is no risk for electrical contact.

For those of you with below ground pools you may have had an automatic cover installed on your pool. The cover allows you to retract and expand your pool cover with the touch of a button without the hassle or doing it manually. While this is a very handy feature, it’s electrical features sit very close to the water. As with your heating system wires, make sure that your retractable cover is inspected carefully to check for cracked, broken, or exposed electrical wires. Contact with water could cause shock and also short out the automatic cover system.

If you are looking to have an inground pool installed, or have purchased an above ground pool and are looking to place it, take note of any electrical wires in the area. This can include any outside meters attached to your home, electrical outlets, and power lines running from or around your home. When the splashing begins and water is spread, it can create an opportunity for the electricity to travel through the water and toward the pool. Review the area you have available and create safe distances between the pool and electrical wires.

It is important that you consider each of these items before you start enjoying your pool. Save yourself from damaged electrical wire systems, and possible harm and injury to swimmers; have an Expert Electrician review your pool setup. For a proper inspection by a professional, licensed electrician, contact your local Expert Electric.

Halloween is a little over a week away, and whether you’re throwing or attending a party, taking your kids trick-or-treating, or getting your house ready for trick-or-treaters, it’s sure to be a night filled with endless fun – and scare. However, we want to help ensure that the kind of scare that may ensue is all in good fun, and not legitimate.  This is why we want to provide some helpful electrical safety tips to those planning on transporting party-goers or trick-or-treaters to another realm with their decorations.

Electrical cords in high-traffic areas can be dangerous as it can cause people walking over them to trip and get hurt. Furthermore, you should inspect your cords for exposed or frayed wiring. Wires that aren’t 100 percent intact increase the chances of electrocution and fire, so always err on the side of caution and replace cords that could pose a threat. While Halloween is intended to a night filled with surprises, but don’t let one of them be a trip to the emergency room.

To prevent guests from tripping over cords, consider purchasing cord covers or using duct tape. Your local hardware store should carry both of these.

Before hanging lights inside or outside, check the box to see that they are Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approved. This means they will have been tested and are completely safe to use. If lights are UL-approved and tested, you should easily be able to find the label on both the outside of the box as well as on the actual lights themselves.

Just like your electrical cords, you should always inspect your lights for frayed and exposed wiring as well as faulty plugs. If you do find that they’re not in good condition, the best thing to do is replace them. Continuing to use these lights will only increase the chance of electrocution and fire.

Don’t staple or nail electrical wires or cords because doing so could cause a malfunction in the system, sparks, or a fire. Furthermore, avoid attaching wires or cords to anything metal. Follow the directions closely to ensure safety.

Leaving for work? Going to bed? Don’t forget to unplug your lights and decorations! When you leave things plugged in for longer than they should be, you run the risk of having overworked bulbs and wiring, which could lead to a fire. By unplugging them, you can have peace of mind while you’re away, not to mention, you’ll save money on your utility bill!

1. Look for Energy Smart products and ENERGY STAR labels

2.  Invest in the best ceiling fans to provide cooling in summer and better warm air circulation during the cold, winter months.

3.  Opt for the latest automated systems, lighting controls and cool new switches.

4.  Accessorize with LED nightlights in hallways and bathrooms.

5.  Play it safe.  Keep clutter to a minimum and task light to a maximum.

Show off your fashion-forward, good sense—get rid of inefficient, old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs.  Why wait until January to comply with new lighting codes and requirements? Get a jump-start on making your home and office environments more energy-efficient now.  Replace old bulbs with new energy-efficient halogen, CFL (compact fluorescent) and LED (light emitting diode) bulbs.

Check out the latest energy-saving solutions in home lighting and accessories:

Under-cabinet LED strip lights and tape lighting.

LED Christmas lights and novelty lamps.

Tabletop candlelight and energy saving low lights.

Energy Smart outdoor lights.

ENERGY STAR-qualified ceiling fans.

BE CEILING FAN SAVVY

“The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) annual survey of consumer preferences indicates that ceiling fans are one of the Top 10 most likely products to include in new construction.” –www.enlightenmentmag.com/ceiling-fans/ceiling-fans-come-of-age

Ceiling fans—especially those with ENERGY STAR-qualified AC motors and the latest DC fan motors* –will provide significant cost savings on monthly electric bills when used in conjunction with your heating and cooling systems:

•In warmer climates, you may lower your air-conditioning thermostat a few degrees and maintain the same cooling comfort by adding an energy-efficient fan.

•In cooler climates, you can save on heating costs and electric bills by lowering the thermostat and operating ceiling fans in the reverse mode to push warmer air down from the ceiling.

* “Saving an additional 70 percent in energy has made the DC motor ceiling fan the biggest advance in this industry,” according to Jeff Dross, Corporate Director of Education and Industry Trends, to enlightenment Magazine (August 8, 2013).

The latest ceiling fans and decorative portable fans include Traditional, Retro, Rustic and Futuristic designs.  Get expert advice and personalized attention:  Professional lighting consultants at Capitol Lighting will help you to custom-design ceiling fans and lighting control systems for your home or office space.

Experience illustrious energy-saving illumination and comfortable eco-friendly air circulation with the most affordable, energy-saving light fixtures and ceiling fans.

INVEST IN THE BEST ENERGY-EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE LIGHTING

New Kichler landscape lighting products are the go-to choice for energy-efficient landscape lighting that is luxurious and affordable.  Cost-saving outdoor light fixtures accommodate LED lamps, as well as CFL and halogen.

Creative concepts in landscape lighting include Kichler’s TaskWork LED Tape Lighting.  Available in an outdoor/wet version, these LED lights are sleek and ultra-low profile.  They are versatile, easy to install and affordable.  This highly flexible, 24-volt tape is fully dimmable and comes in a variety of color options and convenient lengths up to 20 feet.

Kichler-The Premium Choice in Landscape Lighting TM  , offers decorative path lights, accent lights, specialty items, transformers, LED lamps and accessories for residential and commercial lighting applications.

For more information on LED lamps, energy-efficient landscape lighting and cost-saving light fixture applications, visit with a professional lighting consultant at Capitol Lighting or check out the latest energy-efficient landscape lighting, ceiling fans and light fixtures at 1800lighting.com.

May your days be merry and bright and may all your Christmases be in the right light.