Specialty and Architectural Lighting

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 important for a romantic mood. Think of sunrise or sunset, when the sun is at its "warmest" color, a red or orange hue. Red or...

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 response, talks have now turned to UV light. There is no known virus or bacteria that is immune to (UV) ultraviolet light. The EPA has...

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 be able to see everyone else at the table clearly. Setting the correct mood is also a consideration. Highlight the Table The thing you need...

Discover why all LED lights (bulbs and fixtures) need a driver, but not all drivers need to be purchased separately. When it comes to LED strips, including tape and rope lights, drivers can become even more confusing. For instance, how many LED strips can one driver supply power to?

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 aesthetics to optimize fish viewing. You can wait to replace the aquarium light bulbs when they burn out or if algae begins to build up....

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 a UV lamp which serves two functions: sterilizing and clarifying the water. 1. Disinfect Your Pond with UV Light Any pathogens in the water may...

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, more energy-efficient light sources. The big box stores are pushing LED bulbs, and hard. The reason? LED is getting all the media hype and is...

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 the time you should check out your LCD/DLP projector lamps. A typical DLP/LCD lamp has an effective life of about 2,000 hours. At first glance,...

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 to assess any damage to your outdoor lighting system and either replace or readjust wires, bulbs, and fixtures. We all know how badly snow, ice,...

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 light into the classroom may not be feasible. The next best option is to upgrade existing fluorescent lighting with the goal of improving lighting quality....