The outdoor spaces on your property become the perfect spots to spend leisurely moments with your family and entertain friends. In fact, if these areas are planned and installed well, they become an extension of your home. Well-designed spaces allow you to use these areas comfortably during the daytime; however, the only way you would be able to use them optimally after dark, is if you get the right kind of outdoor lighting fixtures installed in your landscaping.

Many homeowners feel that installing a few floodlights in different spots on the property is sufficient in terms of outdoor lighting. However, this kind of illumination is never enough. In fact, there are times when floodlights can mar the beauty of your home and its immediate surroundings; they may end up highlighting some of the unflattering features of your property as well.

The one way to overcome this problem is to hire the services of expert outdoor lighting electricians to handle the job for you. They will understand what your specific requirements and preferences are and will survey the outdoor areas on your property. They will also identify which features you want to highlight and which you prefer to keep in the background. Once they have all this information, they will provide outdoor lighting options and quotes.

A good and knowledgeable electrician will always focus on providing low-maintenance, energy-efficient and cost-effective landscape lighting solutions. While outdoor lighting jobs are typically a part and parcel of landscaping jobs, many homeowners feel the need to upgrade their existing lighting installations to modern energy-efficient LED lights.

Since there are a number of technicalities and aspects that have to be taken into consideration while planning outdoor lighting, it’s important that you consult an expert outdoor electrician who will provide you all the information you need; this helps you make a more well-informed decision.

It’s also a good idea to opt for outdoor lighting maintenance plans. As part of these plans the electricians will come over to your property and inspect all the outdoor lighting installations and fixtures. They will check whether there is any wear & tear in the electrical wiring insulation, the grounding and all the fixtures too.

Regardless of how you look at it, the right kind of outdoor illumination provides a number of benefits. It enhances the security aspect of your property AND adds to its aesthetics. When you have a well-lit garden and yard, you are more encouraged to use these spaces and this increases your return on investment.

For more information, simply speak with the experts at AllRound Electrical and take their advice on various aspects of electrical installations in your home. The number to call is – 1300 169 263. You can also write to us at this email address.

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Every home uses energy in one form or the other; and in most instances, this electricity comes from the power grid. Statistics indicate that almost 50% of a home’s energy is used by its HVAC systems while about 12% goes into the lighting. Most property owners presume that all the energy-efficiency upgrades happen through various home improvement upgrades such as replacement of wooden windows and doors with energy-efficient 2 or 3-paned vinyl windows etc.

While these changes do add to the energy-efficiency of your home, there are a number of electrical systems and maintenance upgrades that can significantly improve your energy usage, such as:

It’s not uncommon for us to occasionally leave the lights on when we leave a room. Or there may be times when we leave the deck, patio or poolscapes lights on all night with the security aspect in view. These types of habits can become a significant energy drain, but there is a way to curb that. We can install motion sensor lighting in the exterior spaces of your home; the lights will get switched on only when the sensor picks up any movement within its range. This helps you save energy without compromising on the safety factor in any way.

Most people don’t realise that their local electrician can help them when they are upgrading to energy efficient appliances. The fact of the matter is that simply replacing older appliances with ones that have high energy star ratings may not always help them reduce their electricity bills.

When you upgrade the appliances in your home such as air-conditioners, dryers, dishwashers and washing machines etc., these appliances tend to need a higher wattage compared to the older ones; this means the upgrade may actually strain the circuit breakers and your electrical system. It’s important to get a skilled electrician to come and check whether the existing wiring and system is built to bear the higher electrical loads that the newer, advanced systems need.

Inadequate or improper insulation is one more major sources of energy loss on most properties. And if you are considering a home renovation/remodelling/extension project, it’s a good idea to upgrade the insulation in your house as well.

Today, many property owners are quite committed to opting for eco-friendly alternatives to many materials and systems. If you feel you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you might want to consider installing solar panels in your home. This can significantly reduce your reliance on grid power.

Upgrading appliances or making major electrical upgrades can sometimes prove to be an expensive proposition and may not fit into everyone’s budget. This is why it’s important to know how to make some smaller changes that will also add to your home’s energy-efficiency. Some things that can make a big difference are:

We at AllRound Electricals can provide excellent energy audits and electrical upgrade and maintenance solutions. For more information, contact our friendly team at this number – 1300 169 263. You can also write to us at this email address.

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This year I’m seriously jazzed about the 2012 Emmy nominees – especially for Outstanding Lighting Design. Admittedly, I’m a sucker for theatrics (dating back to long before those college stage makeup classes and my Cirque du Soilel-level Halloween costumes) but honestly, these nominees are amazing. Here’s what the Academy has laid out for us this year:

Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety Series

So You Think You Can Dance

Last year’s winner is at it again, producing number after flashy number. Lighting designer Robert Barnhart along with lighting directors Matt Firestone, Pete Radice, and Patrick Boozer are ones to beat, for sure. Check out this dramatic jazz piece from the Season 8 finale, it’s truly unforgettable:

Dancing With The Stars

This show is a first time nominee in the category, but lighting designer Simon Miles and lighting directors Matthew Cotter and Suzanne Sotello are definitely ones to watch out for. Check out this Halloween-themed Paso Doble featuring Ricki Lake, and you’ll understand why this lighting team has earned a coveted nomination:

American Idol

This program won the title in 2009, and this year the same team of lighting designer Kieran Healy, and lighting directors Joshua Hutchings, George Harvey, and Matthew McAdam are at it again. This highly talented group might just have what it takes to win again. See for yourself in this clip of Phillip Phillips (season 11 winner) singing at the Idol finale:

The Voice

Another newcomer in the category, The Voice has really made a splash in its second season. Lighting team Oscar Dominguez (designer) and Daniel K. Boland (director) have made sure that the voices aren’t the only remarkable thing about this show. Check out this video of season 2 winner Jermaine Paul (from team Blake) and you’ll see what I mean:

The cost of many of the more traditional energy sources that we use, such as natural gas, gasoline and electricity are right there in front of us. Determining the overall cost of solar power, on the other hand, is not quite as simple. To make this process even more difficult, many of us have a hard time seeing not only the cost of solar panels, but the overall value. Unlike gasoline and other easily measured energy sources, solar panels provide their value over several years, rather than a few trips in the car.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?

In most cases, photovoltaic panels are priced by dollars per watt. Although many places will label things differently, this is the basis for most calculations. Whenever you purchase a solar panel system, you are essentially paying for the ability, or capacity to generate a certain amount of electricity, rather than a certain amount of energy to use until it is gone.

The overall cost of your solar panels will vary, depending on your individual project. Because each home is different, each project is different, making general quotes difficult. Furthermore, special tax programs that provide rebates and incentives can play a huge role in the cost of your panels. For an accurate cost, get in touch with solar installers in your area.

In addition to the varying costs of solar installation, are the various methods of purchase. The traditional form of buying panels outright and having them installed is less popular than it used to be. Many homeowners are now taking advantage of special financing for their solar panels. There are also many solar leasing programs out there, that we discuss at Solar panel Info. These programs allow you to lease a set of solar panels, and keep all of the energy that you generate. With all of these different options, generating solar power is much easier than ever before.

Read more about solar panels.