Specialty and Architectural Lighting

It is often assumed that incandescent and halogen light bulbs are completely different technologies. In fact, halogen is just a hybrid incandescent. Both types of light bulbs use a tungsten filament. Both burn out when the filament breaks. Both use line and low voltage the same way. Also, both incandescent...

About 8 to 15% of the electricity budget of an average household is consumed by lighting. The different types of lighting technologies that are installed, the design, and the user behavior are significant determinants to the total amount consumers can spend just on lighting for the home. With a well-designed...

Ever since Thomas Edison's early light bulbs, the iconic shape of the most common light bulb in our homes has been remarkably consistent - pear-shaped glass narrowing to a screw base at one end. This shape is so ingrained in our collective consciousness that it has become a cliche graphic...

This past weekend, I was at the Field Museum in Chicago and wandered into some of the leas populated, darker exhibits that the museum houses. Both the Ancient Americas and Pacific Spirits exhibits are quiet and dark, featuring clothing and art from these cultures. A much more popular exhibit on...

You can make or break a romantic atmosphere with the proper (or improper) use of light. Whether it be Valentine's Day, a birthday, anniversary, or a quiet dinner with a significant other, light is one of the most important factors for setting the mood. Color Temperature Color temperature is hugely...

Purification of water has become a hot topic in recent years, as new studies have shown that most chemicals that are commonly used for water purification, for example chlorine, are slowly losing the battle against certain bacteria and pathogens. These bacteria have become immune to these chemicals over time. In...

Whether you're hosting a dinner party, having a family Thanksgiving dinner at your house, or just inviting some friends over for a quiet night, proper lighting is important. You don't just need enough light, but you also want to enhance the color of food, see its texture in detail, and...

One of the most common questions new aquarium enthusiasts have is how often to change the light bulbs in their setup. The answer depends on the type of aquarium. Fish-only aquariums need light to simulate a healthy day-night cycle for the fish. Beyond that, the lighting system provides color and...

With Spring finally here in most of the United States, one concern of many homeowners is pond maintenance. Having a pond in backyard can be a great addition to a property's landscaping, especially if there are Koi and other colorful fish in the pond. A water purification system usually includes...

With the phase-out of the 60 watt incandescent light bulb, finding these classic bulbs will get more and more difficult over time. Even now, just a few months after the ban came into effect in January 2014, home improvement stores are doing everything they can to shift consumers into alternative,...

For many people, the coming of fall is a delight worth savoring for as long as it lasts. The kids are back to school, football is back on the TV and there is no better time to enjoy home theater than in the cool of day. But this is also...

If you are anywhere close to the Midwest or Northeast parts of the United States, you've probably had more than your fill of winter. You may even start shivering just at the mention of the phrase "polar vortex." With one of the most brutal winters finally behind us, it's time...

There have been several studies in the last few years documenting the positive affect of daylight on student alertness and academic performance in classrooms. Today, daylight harvesting is a major component of integrated lighting designs for newly built schools. For existing schools and universities, expensive remodels to bring more natural...