You have heard about it for years, maybe even decades, and now, solar energy has become even more popular as people realize how much money they can save by using the sun to power their homes and businesses. But, is it really a good option for your home? If you have not been paying attention to the solar powered equipment of today, you are probably not aware of the advancements in technology that have been made.

There are several options when it comes to using solar energy. For one, solar panel installation is not like it was at the inception of solar energy. Today, the panels are flat and can be mounted directly to a home’s roof. They are aesthetically appealing and will not stand out like a garish eyesore. Each panel is designed and handpicked to suit your home’s exterior. If you live in a suburb, there are very few, if any, covenants that would forbid the modern day solar panels.

If you have a small home, you will need fewer panels. A solar installation expert will help you determine what you need to power your home. What many people may not realize is the fact a home is still connected to the grid, where power is always available. If by chance, there is not enough power produced from the panels, there is always the old standard to keep things running smoothly.

Solar panels cost will vary depending on the size and design. This is something you will want to discuss with your solar installers at The Electric Connection. Although it is true the upfront cost of installing solar panels is rather steep, it will pay off when the electric bills drop dramatically. Energy costs are not getting any cheaper. By switching to solar energy today, you can avoid the steep hikes that keep coming our way.

Cost, energy savings, maintenance and aesthetics must all be taken into account to optimize your budget and bring out the best in your home with the finest lighting design.

1.   Fluorescent and CFL (compact fluorescent) lamps work well in areas that require cooler, energy-efficient general illumination, such as undercabinet lighting and cove lighting in kitchens or flush-mount ceiling fixtures in garages and basements.

2.  Low-voltage halogen lamps are best for accent lighting and to provide luxurious illumination in areas of the home that call for a more up-scaled look, such as living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms and master bathrooms.

3.  For task lighting, choose LED (light-emitting diode) desk lamps, reading lamps, track lighting and mini-pendants. Bulbrite’s Generation 3 dimmable LED lamps provide great color rendering and light output, perfect for track and recessed fixtures. 

 4.  LED lamps are becoming the standard for outdoor lighting, too, due to their low-maintenance and high energy-efficiency. Although the initial cost for LED lamps is considerably higher, you will find tremendous long-term savings in energy, maintenance and replacement costs—especially in areas where illumination is frequently needed such as outdoor security lighting.

5.  Incandescent lamps are still popular for portable lighting and ceiling fixtures to provide pleasant general illumination.  Aim for energy-efficient incandescent:  Bulbrite’s Eco-Friendly Halogen A19 standard bulb is energy-saving, fully dimmable and available in clear or soft white.

Note:  Do not skimp and buy bulbs of lesser quality, because substandard bulbs may emit a poor quality of light and may burn out prematurely.  Purchase your lighting from a reputable dealer who will stand behind the quality of their merchandise.

For more information on updating your home with quality, energy-efficient lighting, visit a Capitol Lighting showroom and meet with a professional lighting consultant.

At Bryant Electric Service, we are committed to a safer and healthier environment. We live and work in this community and we’re all in this together. None of us want to breathe dirtier air or risk increased exposure to more pollution in our water and soil. Because energy from fossil fuels means more pollution, conserving energy is very important for all of us.

Fortunately, the city of Austin is committed to reducing its dependence on fossil fuels as a means of producing electricity. Already, much of our energy comes from wind and hydroelectric sources. New breakthroughs in solar energy production are also providing cleaner alternatives. The city of Austin is committed to expanding its wind energy production, and this promises a future free from dependence on coal and other fossil fuels.

Austin Energy provides a generous incentive program for a wide range of energy conservation measures. In addition, special rebates are provided for residents and businesses installing systems which produce clean energy from wind and solar sources. We recommend studying Austin Energy’s website to see how you can take advantage of these opportunities to contribute to a cleaner environment.

As a leading provider of electrical services in the Boston, MA area, we offer a diverse range of products and services so that our customers have a choice in what they purchase. Your electrical system is an absolutely essential part of your home, and you likely rely on it much more than you realize. As unfortunate and irritating as they may be, power outages often show us what we take for granted. In order for your electrical system to work as it should, it’s necessary to call in a professional. We’ve given you 5 good reasons to call your local electrician.

Give us a call today to schedule electrical service in Newton or the greater Boston area, be it for installation or repair.

A new thing we will be doing every here every month on the MyLEDLightingGuide’s official blog is curating things from all around the web relating to the LED lighting industry. Here are the types of articles and pieces of content that will often be featured on our monthly link roundup:

This post will be covering all of the happenings from the past month, September of 2016. We also plan to give a brief summary of each piece we include, just to get a better idea of what it’s about, who it’s for, and why it might be valuable for you to take a look at.

Without further ado, here is the first addition of A Month in The LED Lighting Industry Link Roundup…

High Bay Luminare and Lamp Market Expected to Reach $20.4 Billion by 2024

For anyone involved in the lighting industry, even remotely, this is great news to hear. As LED products become cheaper and cheaper overall, the resistance from facility managers to make the investment in LED fixtures is reducing. This trend seems to be growing, and there is seemingly only a positive future in LED; especially in the commercial lighting world.

As LED Streetlights Spread, Some Critics Look for Dimmer Switch

While some concerns relating to the light that LEDs give off is bad for street lighting scenarios, cities are still picking up the technology for obvious reasons (from cost reduction to higher quality lighting). On the contrary, critics are looking for these LED street fixtures to be dimmed down a bit, all for some fairly valid reasons that you will discover in this piece of content.

How LED Lights Influence the Bats Activity

To finish off this seemingly street light themed roundup, this post discusses the influence LED lights are having on bat activity. Is this a way for those with bat issues to deal with it or not? In short; they will reduce some issues you may have with bats and related night time animals. But check this one out to get a better understanding on how it may help.

Interesting Reads:

Here are some not-so-relevant but still relevant articles that we think are highly interesting and definitely worth the read.

First Pro Basketball Game Held on LED Court in Japan