Four Places You Never Thought to Install Lighting, but Will Be Glad You Did

Who hasn’t gone into a clothes or linen closet, or even a kitchen base cabinet, and wished there were a light in there? Well now you can actually do something about it – quickly, easily and inexpensively. San Antonio lighting showroom Lighting, Inc. offers suggestions for easily and effectively lighting four light-deprived areas.

Closets

“For years, wives have complained about husbands wearing navy blue socks with black suits. It’s not our fault! Lighting is most typically the culprit,” says Scott Bailey, Certified Lighting Designer at Lighting, Incorporated.

“Incandescent light does a poor job differentiating between these very similar colors. Illuminating a closet is crucial. Fluorescent lighting can be a good solution, but it is very important to select a bulb with the right color temperature and color rendering,” says Bailey.

It’s not an easy job to find the right bulb for the job when you are combing the aisles of a home center by yourself. However, if you go to a lighting store, the problem is solved quickly. Lighting showrooms – particularly those that are members of the American Lighting Association (ALA) – are staffed with professionals who can demonstrate the differences in light sources and color rendering. Lighting, Inc.’s showroom is complete with a lighting lab, which houses demonstrative tools to help homeowners pick out the proper light for their space.

With the development of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, the use of incandescent and halogen in closets is less prevalent. Incandescent is extremely hot, therefore the requirements for using it in closets are more strict than with CFL or LED.

According to Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the ALA and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design, CFLs are an excellent source for this purpose. “They are cool to the touch, are much more energy-efficient, and will last many years. CFLs are available in a variety of colors, but it’s best to buy the 3500K color temperature lamps, which are very neutral and provide excellent color rendering across the color spectrum,” says Rey-Barreau.

LEDs are becoming more popular for closets because of their small size, very long life, and energy efficiency.  If you prefer to use LED for the closet, Rey-Barreau suggests placing a linear LED above the door in a shallow closet. “That way the light is very evenly and broadly distributed throughout the space,” he says. “In larger closets, it’s more effective to use a surface-mounted or close-to-ceiling fixture using either CFLs or LEDs.”

Inside Cabinets

One of the many advantages of LED lighting is its very small size, Rey-Barreau points out. “LED strips can measure less than ½-inch wide. Since they also produce almost no heat, they are ideal for placing inside cabinets, drawers and other small storage areas where lighting was not possible before,” he says.

Glass door cabinets are just begging to be illuminated! “I’d recommend small directional LED downlights inside,” continues Bailey. “These would add visual drama, but wouldn’t damage the contents from excessive heat or UV rays.”

If you need some illumination inside a drawer, there might be some wiring issues involved unless you use a battery-operated unit. Or, you can try this tip from Bailey, who advises: “An easy way to put light inside a kitchen cabinet drawer is by not adding light inside it at all. Instead, consider installing a routered raceway on the underside of the countertop. When the drawer is closed, the light will spill down the front of the cabinets. When it is open, the inside will be fully illuminated without the trouble of planning for drawer movement.”

Under Cabinets

Believe it or not, you really need undercabinet lighting. “Undercabinet lighting should be a consideration for any kitchen, regardless of budget,” Rey-Barreau says. “It provides multiple benefits that cannot be achieved with overhead lighting – the most important of which is having the light immediately above the work surface.”

Bailey agrees that if undercabinet lighting is not already installed in a kitchen, then it should be one of the first updates done. “When working at a counter, the general lighting is typically behind the user. This creates a shadow on the counter that can only be alleviated with undercabinet lighting,” he explains.

Years ago, the only fixtures were incandescent and halogen, however, the heat they generated was a drawback. The advances in fluorescents and LEDs have moved these versions into the top spot. They don’t give off heat and last much longer than their predecessors.

Toekick and Cove Areas

If you want to instantly give a more upscale look to a room, cove and toekick lighting will do the trick. “This type of lighting provides a very sophisticated appearance,” says Rey-Barreau.

Bailey is also a fan of the technique. “Cove and toekick light can accentuate and delineate space as well as architectural details,” says Bailey. “Cove lighting can visually lift a room’s ceiling by pulling the eye upward, bringing attention to design elements that are typically overlooked.”

If your kitchen is small, these fixtures will present the illusion of more space. “These lights visually increase the size of the room, and add intrigue to areas that are otherwise uneventful,” says Bailey. Toekick lighting gives your cabinetry a floating appearance while highlighting details in moldings.

The best toekick and cove light sources are fluorescent, xenon, and LED, because they are more energy-efficient and incur less maintenance than incandescent. However, placement is key. “It is most effective to put the light source as far away from the wall as possible to provide the most even illumination,” Rey-Barreau advises.

For answers to your lighting questions and to find the best lighting options for your out-of-the-way spaces, visit Lighting, Inc.’s San Antonio showroom at 7243 Blanco Road, or visit www.lightinginc.com, or call (210) 541-8500.  There you will find a comprehensive selection of lighting products as well as the most highly trained professionals in the industry to assist you.

Lighting, Inc. Shining Brightly at the Parade of Homes

It’s that time of year again, the Labor Day Weekend means one thing for the San Antonio building community: Parade of Homes.  We are thrilled this year to be showing in five of the seven dream homes in the event. The fixtures and ceiling fans we supplied certainly bring flash and an incredible design element to the homes.  Gone are the days of one simple but beautiful chandelier gracing a home’s entrance.  These homes will show you that the proper light fixtures can create drama in every room – from a breakfast nook to a bathroom.

The Parade of Homes starts this Saturday, September 4, and runs to September 12 – so you have plenty of time to see what the buzz is all about! Don’t forget to vote for your favorite fixtures with your People’s Choice ballot!  You can do this by checking us out in these Parade homes: Adam Michael Homes, Uptmore Custom Homes, Mattern & Fitzgerald Custom Builders, Stadler Custom Homes, and L. Nunez Signature Homes.

For information about the Parade of Homes, or to purchase tickets, call (210) 696-3800 or visit http://www.sabuilders.com

Smashing Upgrades on a Shoestring Budget

The economy may be in the doldrums, but that doesn’t mean your decor has to be there, too. It’s possible to turn dark, dreary and dated decor into light, lively and “now” on just a shoestring budget.

What’s the secret to sprucing up on a shoestring? Lighten up! Literally.

Upgrading your home’s lighting can impart a whole new atmosphere, and you don’t need to spend big bucks on pricey new fixtures to do it. Simple, budget-friendly changes can make a big difference in how your home looks and feels, and how much you enjoy living there.

The experts at the American Lighting Association (ALA) offer a few tips for creating a big impact on a small budget.

First, consider the first impression guests (or potential buyers) have of your home. “Upgrading exterior lighting or entryway lighting can improve the curb appeal and make a better first impression of your home,” says Gabriel Trinidad of Lighting Incorporated, a San Antonio lighting showroom.

Trinidad continues, “Replacing old, worn-out fixtures, purchasing affordable landscape lights to highlight interesting architectural elements or landscaping features can create a ‘love at first sight’ scenario for potential buyers,” he says.

Once you’ve upgraded the outside, take a look at the first parts of the house guests see, often the entryway or dining room on modern floor plans.

“Changing the ‘first sight’ fixtures will make major strides in improving the look and, in some cases, the efficiency of your home,” Trinidad says. “Fixtures in the entryway should set the theme for the rest of the house. Even a small flush-mount fixture can add style to an otherwise outdated entry.”

Next, install dimmers throughout the house, even in rooms where you might not normally think of using them, like the kitchen and bath, suggests Joe Rey-Barreau, an education consultant for the ALA and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design.

Installing a dimmer can completely change the character and quality of a space. For example, dimmers in a bathroom enable you to use the facilities in the middle of the night without the jarring impact of turning on bright, overhead lighting. In a master bedroom, they can create a soothing or even romantic mood.

In other rooms, take a look at your table lamps, advises Rey-Barreau. “One way to make an impact on a small budget is by changing outdated lampshades with newer trend-forward versions that incorporate fashion-friendly colors, fabrics or patterns.”

Consider how you use table lamps as well, “How many do you use in a room? What types? Table lamps can create a more diverse quality of light, and adding a few accent lamps in a room can really change the quality of a space,” Rey-Barreau adds.

Simple upgrades in kitchens and baths can also deliver big impact and enhance your home’s value on a shoestring budget, the experts agree.

Modern kitchens often hide lighting under cabinets or in the ceiling through recessed lighting. “Adding fixtures that can be shown off and enjoyed can make a big impact,” Trinidad says. “Adding pendants is a good place to start. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes, they add aesthetic appeal, and build an interesting focal point at a fair price.” Or, upgrade from a single bulb fixture in the kitchen to a multi-bulb unit with a dimmer, Trinidad suggests.

In baths and kitchens, consider replacing fixtures with dated finishes with more contemporary choices. Many manufacturers now make light fixtures in finishes that complement some of the more popular choices for plumbing fixtures, Rey-Barreau points out.

Finally, when you’re lighting a room, keep in mind that you need to use more than one light and more than one kind of light. A balance of overhead lights (on dimmers), floor lamps and/or table lamps will produce the most aesthetically pleasing, livable atmosphere.

To learn more about how to use lighting to enhance your home’s decor, livability and salability, visit Lighting Incorporated at 7243 Blanco Road in San Antonio, or visit http://www.lightinginc.com, or call (210) 541-8500.

Color Changing Technology Coming to a Kitchen Near You

Lighting, Inc. manufacturer LED Lighting, Inc. has announced new uses to make show stopping kitchens.

LED lights provide a marathon of light, approximately 50,000 hours.   Additionally, the energy costs are maintenance requirements are low.

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Contact your Lighting, Inc. sales representative to bring this unique and breathtaking technology to your home.

Ceiling Fans Save Energy All Year Long

Gas and energy prices are rising again, and that means Americans must tighten their belts even further. You don’t need to dread hot summer temps and high air conditioning bills when you have ceiling fans – your AC’s best friend!

If  you already have fans in place, check to see whether they are Energy Star qualified. Ceiling fan/light combinations that have earned Energy Star® accreditation are about 50 percent more efficient than non-conforming units. The difference lies in improved motors and blade designs. A model with an Energy Star light kit included provides even greater energy savings, and the bulbs don’t need to be changed as often.

“Demand for more energy-efficient products has driven the industry to integrate new lighting, blade and motor technologies that save operating costs. New products integrating the latest technologies are up to 75 percent more efficient than previous models” states Gabriel Trinidad, General Manager of San Antonio lighting showroom Lighting, Incorporated.

Paul Vrabel, a principal at ICF International, an energy solutions firm that partners with government clients, explains how to operate fans correctly. “Put them on when you are in the room – during the day and when sleeping – and turn them off when you leave. Ceiling fans cool people, not air,” he remarks. “Using fans wisely while turning down the AC can save a lot of money.”

Ceiling fans do such an efficient job of circulating air, they probably should be everywhere. “Any type of room can benefit,” notes Trinidad. “Bedrooms, family rooms, and outdoor living spaces are the most common applications, but we are installing fans more in larger bathrooms, walk-in closets, home offices and garages,” he adds.

Size Matters
Hal Schwartz of Minka Aire Fans, concurs. “Consumers are installing ceiling fans throughout their homes,” he notes, pointing to the rapid growth of models in all sizes. For example, fans with blade spans of 54, 60, and 72 inches are increasingly popular for living rooms, while those with 24-inch spans are being installed in hallways and walk-in closets,” he says.

How do you estimate the best size for your needs? “A good rule of thumb is a 36- to 52-inch diameter blade sweep for rooms measuring 200 square feet or less,” Schwartz states. “For rooms 200 to 400 square feet, we recommend a diameter of 52 inches or greater; if the space is more than 400 square feet, two or more fans will be needed.”

The number of blades makes some difference in airflow, however, whether to choose a four-, five-, or six-blade version is really a matter of aesthetics, according to Schwartz. “You hear a lot about blade pitch, diameter and motor size. These are factors that will affect airflow, but in the end the best way to judge is to stand under the fan you prefer and decided if the airflow feels sufficient,” he says.

It’s important not to underestimate. “The most common size sold in the U.S. is a 52-inch diameter. This fan size provides excellent results in rooms up to 150 square feet, but can also be appropriate for smaller rooms since it can be adjusted with multiple speeds and the direction of the blades can be reversed,” notes Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the American Lighting Association (ALA) and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design.  “It’s better to choose a slightly larger fan for a room than to choose a diameter that might prove to be too small to adequately provide air movement,” he adds.

Do You Need a Light Kit?
Many fans now come with integrated lighting or offer a coordinating light kit available as an option. These lights do not offer enough illumination on their own, but they are useful in a room that already has some form of ambient lighting. “Ceiling fan lights should be considered as accent and mood lighting,” Schwartz explains.

Should a Ceiling Fan Blend In or Stand Out?
The next step to consider is whether you’d like it to serve as a focal point or be more understated. “Is the room contemporary, traditional, tropical or transitional? Ceiling fans can serve as a design feature,” Trinidad remarks.

“The primary trend in ceiling fan design has been for styles that create aesthetic statements as bold as a chandelier,” Rey-Barreau states. “This follows the overall trend in residential design for more varied and more sophisticated concepts. Today a consumer can find a ceiling fan that matches any interior design.”

Fans Help in Winter, Too
In the summer, ceiling fans offer a comfortable alternative and accompaniment to air conditioning, but in the winter employing the reversible blade option provides a means of circulating the hotter air that rises to the ceiling. This helps save on heating bills when the weather gets cold.

For more information about how to utilize ceiling fans for year-round comfort in a fashionable style, contact a lighting professional at Lighting, Incorporated.  Go to www.lightinginc.com for directions to their showroom located at 7243 Blanco Road. ALA lighting showrooms such as Lighting, Incorporated have trained lighting and ceiling fan professionals and offer more variety than home centers.

Three Easy Ways to Cut Costs This Summer

Summertime brings fun in the sun, longer daylight hours, and one caveat: hotter temperatures means running the air conditioner and increased energy bills.  San Antonio lighting showroom, Lighting, Inc., offers three easy solutions that budget-conscious households can use to immediately save money.
1. Read Your Labels
Before you purchase another light bulb, lighting fixture or ceiling fan, look for the Energy Star® label. Those products have undergone rigorous testing and meet the government’s strictest new guidelines for energy efficiency.
All of the Energy Star products have easy-to-read consumer guides right on the box. At a home center or large retailer, you’ll have to read the packages carefully when comparison shopping. However, a trip to Lighting, Inc. will provide all of the information you need to make an informed decision.

2.  Ceiling Fans Are Your BFF
“In summer, even in South Texas, it’s possible to turn your thermostat to 78 degrees and if you’re using a ceiling fan, the comfort level would be the same as if the thermostat were at 72,” says Scott Bailey, certified lighting designer for Lighting, Inc. “Just remember to turn off fans in rooms that aren’t occupied to avoid wasting energy.”
Adds Cliff Crimmings, vice president/marketing for Craftmade International of Coppell, Texas, “Ceiling fans are a great way to make any space more comfortable, add a decorator touch, and save energy at the same time. It circulates the air around, taking away heat in the process. The small expense of running a ceiling fan compared to running an AC compressor results in saving hundreds of dollars per year in energy bills.”
“Before purchasing a fan, do your homework,” Crimmings advises. How large is the room? How high is the ceiling? Do you want the fan to blend in with the ceiling or become a major component in the décor? Would you like it to have a light that will take the place of a lighting fixture?  Would you prefer to operate it via a remote control or with a wall switch? “These are all important things to think about, because your fan will last for years. All ceiling fans, because of their design and low energy consumption, will start to save you money from day one; the new Energy Star-qualified models will increase those savings even more,” Crimmings says.

3. Choose the right light source.
“Since lighting accounts for approximately 20 percent of a home’s energy cost, changing the most frequently used lights to more efficient fluorescent versions can make a big difference,” explains Bailey. “The key is to consider the hours of use – the savings are greater and bulb life is longer when fluorescent lighting remains on for longer periods of time.”
You may have received a CFL in from your utility company or purchased them on sale at a home center or mass retailer and been disappointed in the quality. According to Bailey, finding the right compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) for your needs requires a little know-how. “All incandescent bulbs have approximately the same color quality. Therefore, when you buy an exact replacement for your 60-watt incandescent, the color quality will always look the same,” he says. “With CFLs, the process is more complicated. A CFL produces about four times the light for the same amount of energy as an incandescent bulb. To find the CFL that will produce the same amount of light as your existing incandescent, divide the wattage by four.” For example, to replace a 100-watt incandescent, you need a 25-watt CFL.
Then there’s the matter of color. “CFLs are available in three colors, and are often described as warm, neutral, and cool. The warm color will usually be the closest to incandescent,” Bailey reveals.
“By far the easiest way to find the right CFL for your home is to go to a lighting showroom,” Bailey explains. “In our Light Lab, we have demonstrative tools that allow you to try out different models and compare them directly to incandescent bulbs and to each other.”
Using CFLs in a room that is also lit with incandescent bulbs can offer the best visual balance while saving money. “Light layering is an excellent technique and great resource,” Bailey states. “There are situations where CFLs and standard incandescent lamps can be mixed so that the lighting quality in a room is enhanced. A lighting showroom can help you see this for yourself.”
When replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs, it’s important to consider the application. “CFLs are not ideal for all locations,” cautions Bailey.  “For example, decorative fixtures with shades pointing downward [or in chandeliers] will reveal the bulb to the living space, which could possibly increase glare and detract from the ambience.” In those cases, using controls such as dimmers and occupancy sensors for incandescent bulbs will help minimize energy use.

For more information about energy efficient lighting options, or to meet with an ALA certified lighting consultant, visit Lighting, Inc.’s showrooms in San Antonio, Austin, or Houston, or our web site at www.lightinginc.com.