Lights are installed in every corner of the house and the energy consumption is around 20%. With the rising cost of living standard in a gloomy economy, there is even more urgency to save the pennies. This is possible with the right usage of lights.

Everybody talks about energy saving lights. Do you know what are ‘they’? Yes, ‘they’ because there are so many range of products. Check these new quirky lights out.

1. Lutron Radio RA
   

Lutron uses radio frequency communication to control the lighting in the rooms installed with the system. Whether your lights are LED, fluorescent, halogen or incandescent bulbs, the system is able to control the lights with a one-touch convenience. So, if you are lazy to get up to switch off the light at the end of the room, Lutron is there to help. Another goodie? No new wiring is required. Still not convinced of its green technology? Wait till you find out that Lutron not only saves almost 75% of your lighting energy consumption but also extends the lives of your halogen and incandescent bulbs and is made out of eco-friendly materials.

1. SolaTube Daylighting System
   

SolaTube transforms dark interiors into naturally bright living spaces. Therefore, it is pretty much ideal to lite up all areas of the house from the hallway to the closets. Besides that, the system is cost effective and environmentally friendly. Money wise? SolaTube also eliminates wasteful energy expense from using lights in the day.

1. Solar Cynergy
   

Usually used commercially, this product is like a solar lighting system but sans the typical solar lighting system. The lights are charged up to eight hours or less under the sun. Then they are able to provide up to 15 hours of bright lighting which are suitable for landscapes, pathways, docks and architectural accents. Why will you save costs? It is simply because Solar Cynergy does not run on batteries and comes with a 25 years lifespan. And the sun is free!

Basically, when you are selecting the lights for your home, do not just judge on the initial cost that you need to spend when buying. There are more things to consider. Amongst them are the longevity of the bulbs, contribution to your bills and the brightness. And not forgetting the heat generated by the lights because you will determine the temperature of your cooler based on the heat emitted. Does higher bill ring a bell?

Additional reading:
www.sciencedaily.com
www.green-technology.org
www.ecotechdaily.com
www.greenlivingideas.com

Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artic/496095688/

Save Energy through Lighting is a post from: DIY Guides

Lightning decorations would definitely light up your surrounding especially when you are creating a Yard Haunt or preparing for a Halloween Party. The special effects and bright white flash of light, plus a deep rumbling sound as if it is coming from a thunder right from your area will attract anyone who attends to your house during the occasion. Below are some of the methods that you can use in order to have your very own lightning decorations.

What you need:

Method 1

1. A large iron or steel pot (not aluminum) with a plastic handle
   
2. Rubber gloves
   
3. An iron or steel fork
   
4. A plastic sheet (a dry-cleaner garment bag is good source)
   

   Method 2
   

5. Inflated balloons
   
6. Wool clothing such as a wool sweater or a piece of real fur
   
7. A metal surface like a filing cabinet or a metal door knob
   

   Method 3
   

8. Lightning machine
   

Method:

1. If you chose to use the first method, the first thing that you have to do is tape the plastic sheet onto a table top and then, you need to put on your rubber gloves.
   
2. The next step is for you, as much as possible, you have to darken your room or the area that you want the lightning to be visible.
   
3. After that, by holding the large iron pot or pan (to be used as if it is a thundercloud) by its insulating handle, you need to rub the large iron pot vigorously to and fro on top of the plastic sheet.
   
4. Then, firmly hold on to the fork (to be used as if it is a lightning rod) using your other hand and bring its prongs very slowly near the rim until the gap between the large pot and the fork is small. This activity will trigger a tiny spark which should jump across whereby a much darker surrounding would enable you to see the lightning spark very clearly.
   
5. For the second Method, you have to inflate balloons and also you need to, as much as possible, darken your room or the area that you wanted the lightning to be visible.
   
6. Then, you have to rub the balloon rapidly against either a wool sweater or a real fur. This activity need to be done for at least up to 10 times or more for creating static electricity.
   
7. After that, you need to move the balloons closer to something or some items made of metal such as a filing cabinet or a door knob. The static electricity created from the balloon will enable it to produce flash or spark from the balloon to the metal object (it is used as if it is a lightning but in a small scale. Always remember that the humidity in the air or if the air is damp (especially during winter) this kind of method will not work according to the ways that you want.
   
8. The third method is by using a lightning machine where it is capable of synchronizing the sound of the thunder along with the flash of lightning. It is a plug and play machine which include a lightning machine unit, a VEI Pro-Strobe Light (model v701), amplified speakers including sub-woofer, its relevant adapters and cables, customized thunder CD, along with its user manuals for your easy reference.
   
9. Strobe light is used by the machine in order to create lightning effects that provides a brilliant white light as if it is a real lightning. The machine comes with 50 watts power, flash and also speed control, plus you can attach multiple strobe light unit to only one Lightning Machine to enable you to have lightning effects in several areas at the same time.

Additional Reading:
http://www.halloween-online.com/sfx/halloween-lightning.html
http://www.horrorseek.com/home/halloween/wolfstone/ThunderAndLightning/clsint_LightningSimulation.html#Overview

Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/duqueiros/4208568854/

Putting your own lightning decorations is a post from: DIY Guides

There are several alternatives that you can use in order to light up your house if you have low ceilings such as installing pendant lighting which is affordable, comes with variety of attractive design and it is also easy to install. Other than that, you can also use Sconces type of light that can shoots its light out to specific area thus creating a soft and cozy ambiance and it also comes with variety of designs and shapes. Using a lighter and brighter lights will provide the room to look larger and if you add an upward light or table lamps or floor lamps, it will also gives you larger appearance. Below are some of the steps on how to light up your environment if you are having low ceilings problem;

What you need:

1. Pendant light
   
2. Sconces light
   
3. Upward light
   
4. Table lamps or floor lamps
   
5. Bendable rails
   

Method:

1. One of the ways to light up your low ceilings area is to attach pendants light onto bendable rails and installs it either above your dining room tables or above your kitchen island. This is to enable the lights to be directed downward to the particular area. It is also nice to have a dimmer along with the pendant for adjusting the amount of light to be use. The bendable rails are considered as one unit rather than you create a number of holes in your ceiling to install the lights. Other ideas that you can do with this method is by grouping them together like a cascading effect or alone and install it over your sink or bathroom for creating attractive focal point for that particular area. You can choose a lot of different types of pendants that comes with different shapes and styles, thus giving you a variety of options in decorating your low ceiling room.
   
2. Uplights are also suitable for low ceilings where it will shoot the light upwards and provide open space to your surrounding. The uplights comes with a lot of types giving you options to select your preferred choice and liking. For example if you choose an uplight ceiling fans that comes with a built-in light, you will be able to save on the cost and time of installing two different items. This type more suitable to be installed in your kitchens and also living rooms which sometimes tend to be hotter than other rooms inside your house. Other example is a small uplight chandeliers that you install onto your low ceilings will definitely add a dramatic feeling and also bold statement to the room. Floor lamps can also be use because it shoots its light upright so that your room looks like a larger space and it is also less expensive and affordable, plus it does not require any fixing or installation to your ceiling.
   
3. Other alternatives is for you to use sconces for creating some effect to the room where it also shoots its light out and up along with a soft lighting environment. The Sconces comes with several decorative styles which is suitable for brightening up your hallway, staircase or foyers. It also provides low maintenance installation process and is easy for anyone to do it. Tall light sources can also be use to light up low ceiling room for example the Torchiere floor lamps because it can fool anyone’s eye so that they feel that the ceilings are much taller.

Additional Reading:
http://www.ehow.com/list_5481379_alternatives-low-ceiling-recessed-lighting.html
http://www.homedesignfind.com/how-to-tips-advice/design-dilemma-dealing-with-low-ceilings/
http://www.ehow.co.uk/facts_5459951_decorating-ideas-low-ceiling-basement.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_4777766_decorate-rental-house-low-ceilings.html
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/typesoflightfixtures
http://www.habitatrepair.com/Home-Improvement/Basement-Designs-for-Low-Ceilings.html

Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfkelly/246262555/

Lightings for your low ceilings is a post from: DIY Guides

flickr

It’s a splendid way to splash your cash, and save money in the long run too – buy energy-saving light bulbs! Don’t we all love the environment, isn’t it our responsibility and our duty to protect it? Yes, the easiest way to save the environment is to invest on lower wattage, newer, energy saving bulbs. Professionals say that if you purchase proper energy-saving light bulbs, you’ll be saving hundreds in costs and besides that, you will find that these light bulbs are more efficient than the common ones.

1. What kind of light bulbs do you want?
   There are three common light bulbs, incandescent, halogen and compact fluorescent light bulbs. Halogen is more efficient than incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs are more efficient than both. Ask your local supplier for information about the three bulbs and understand which one suits your house the best.
   Despite the long hours, they all use different amount of energy, so choose wisely.
   
2. Be willing to pay more, and save less in the long run
   Because the cost of living is rising by the day, it’s always good to be thrifty, but sometimes, investing on a pricey product will have rewarding returns. Your new energy-saving and environment-friendly light bulbs may be costly, but they last longer and have tons of extra lifespan. Instead of constantly going to the shop to replace your light bulbs, in the long run, your new green light bulbs can easily outperform others. Keep this in mind: The more you spend, the more you save.
3. Do some good research first, don’t get fooled
   Nobody would really go count the hours one light bulbs have in it, but then, that doesn’t mean you should be easily fooled by incandescent bulbs that claim to have “long-lasting life” because these can sometimes turn out to be a
   bluff or even if it is, long lasting bulbs may not necessarily mean it’ll save you a great deal of energy, usually they don’t.
   

There are three different things you have to think of before buying your bulb: What type of bulb you want, the money you’re willing to spend on it, and lastly, the amount of time and labor that comes along your new bulb. You wouldn’t want a new “energy saving bulb” that needs to replace so often, in the long run, you won’t save much, instead, you’ll be wasting.

Choosing energy-saving light bulbs is a post from: DIY Guides