You hear it in the news all the time these days, energy conservation, or green living or whatever other name it is known by. We must all do our part to help conserve energy, whether it be at work or at home. Being energy conscious not only helps save our planet but helps our wallet too. One of the most direct and easy way for us to help save energy is in our elecricity bill. There are so many little things we can do that can save us lots of money in the long run. Here are just a few ideas that may help you lower your electricity bill.

Turn off all lights and fans when not in use. This is a simple one. Whenever you leave a room, be sure to turn them off.

You know those appliances and electronics (flat panel tvs come to mind) that are always on stanby mode? Well they can account for as much as 5-10of electricty use. Simple solution, connect your electronics to a power strip that can be turned off when they are not in use.

Replace those incandescent light bulbs with energy saving flourescent bulbs. Flourescent bulbs may be more expensive but they last longer than incandescent lights, so it\’s better in the long run.

Make sure that your home is properly insulated. It\’s easy for cool air to leak through cracks in windows and door frames. A properly insulated home can improve energy efficiency by up to 20

Plant more trees around the house. Trees do an excellent job cooling the house in summer and also insulating in winter.

Your refrigerator is one of the biggest energy user in your home so make sure it is properly maintained. Remember to not leave the door open for too long. Make sure that the temperature is set to the manufacturer\’s specifications. Routinely clean under your refrigerator plus any dust on the coils at the back(if they have them).

Mother nature provides lots of light for us in the day so try to use as much natural light as you possibly can.

Use a programmable electronic thermostat for your cooling and heating needs. You can set this device to automatically adjust settings to energy saving levels. This comes in handy when you are out of the house or asleep.

Check to see if air conditioners and heater filters are free of dust and debris.

Only purchase energy efficient appliances. They will save you lots of money in the future.

Close blinds or window treatments if you have the air conditioner on. Rooms get hotter without shades or curtains to block the sunlight.

Unplug cell phone or any other chargers from the wall when not in use. Did you know that cell phone chargers continue to use energy even if the phone is not connected?

Check the weatherstripping on all exterior doors to make sure they are in good shape. Replace them if they are not.

Controlling your energy consumption is not as difficult as you may think. If you make a conscious effort you can save yourself lots of money on electricity bills. It could be as simple as switching off those lights.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/13-tips-for-saving-electricity-3426688.html

About the Author

I have been interested in writing on many topics for years now. Come visit my latest site where we discuss entry doors. Our latest topic is about interior folding doors. Come check us out.

No one ever really thinks about it when they walk into a store and they encounter a brightly lit environment that invites shoppers to look closely at each product for endless hours but the thought that went into lighting a super store is a painstaking process and a strategic process that ensures shoppers stay in the store and don’t experience shopper’s fatigue.

Any person in charge of designing a store, warehouse, office or any other environment where people will congregate should pay special attention to the lighting needs that will help to ensure the proper atmosphere for productivity, visual stimulation and regulatory needs. This can be a daunting process but there are numerous reasons why proper commercial lighting is a must. An improperly lit environment can cause health issues to workers like headaches, migraines and mental fatigue. Not only will this hinder productivity it can have a dramatic increase on absence rates and even attrition rates.

When a workspace is properly lit it allows a worker to focus clearly, be more productive and even work longer periods before rest is needed. This can have a very large affect on employee morale, production output and it can help maintain long-term employment. The end result is a slightly increased cost in lighting that is counter balanced by higher profits and employees with tenured skills and higher job satisfaction. A second factor in the importance of proper commercial lighting is customer driven.

If a customer patrons a store that has poorly lit overhead and display lighting it will make it hard to read product details listed on packaging and it will cause shopper’s fatigue. When they happens sales will decrease and that customer is likely to seek out a better retail experience. This is compounded by the fact that many products have package designed that work with lighting to enhance their attractiveness to consumers. Poor lighting will make packaging look dull and uninviting thus also driving down sales. If you have proper lighting there will be a larger sense of excitement from customer’s and product sales will be higher and more consistent. It’s also very important to meet City, state, local and OSHA regulations. In most cases these regulations are a minimum guideline that ensure a poor lighting does not damage employee or customer’s eyes. All regulations should be met because poor lighting that does not meet regulation can put a business in a situation to suffer several fines by regulatory agencies.

It can also put a business at risk of litigation from employees negatively affected by lighting conditions. In worse case it can also force a closure of a business due to failure to comply. Maintaining the proper lighting will avid these pit falls.

With the proper lighting employees are given an advantage that will open doors to improved productivity, accuracy and employee satisfaction. Customers will be ready to spend money because a properly lit environment will enhance their shopping experience.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/proper-commercial-lighting-is-vital-to-business-success-714706.html

About the Author

Kimberly Green has experience buying commercial lighting for some businesses.

Originally posted 2011-05-20 13:03:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Gregory Karp From Chicagotribune.com

How many tips does it take to change a light bulb?

A few more, apparently.

Despite avid media coverage and education campaigns by the government and environmental groups, consumers still aren’t flocking to newer, energy-efficient light bulbs.

Even in states with long-running and well-funded programs to promote compact fluorescent lamps, only 1 in 5 household sockets contain those bulbs, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Energy. Sales of CFLs peaked in 2007 and have declined since, the report says.

But a switch could be good for your wallet. And besides, you won’t have much choice soon.

A federal law passed in 2007 requires manufacturers to make light bulbs that emit the same brightness using less energy. Traditional incandescent bulbs can’t do that, so they’ll effectively be dropped from production over the next few years. As a consumer, you can continue using incandescents, but eventually you won’t be able to buy any more unless it’s a specialty bulb.

A phase-in of the new rules starts next January with 100-watt bulbs. That’s news to a lot of people. Just two in 10 people know about the 100-watt bulb’s impending extinction, according to a recent survey by lighting manufacturer Osram Sylvania.

Some consumers aware of the coming change — 13 percent — plan to stock up on incandescent 100-watt bulbs while they can get them, the survey found. A Consumer Reports blog referred to them as “Lightbulb Luddites.”

That’s probably because consumers have a better alternative to hoarding inefficient 100-watters. That is, switching to new energy-efficient bulbs, probably CFLs and perhaps halogen incandescents or light emitting diodes (LEDs), experts say.

“People don’t like change, even when it’s good for you,” said Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy. “This is a change that can do good for your pocketbook and not do harm to quality of your life or the quality of your light.”

Here are questions and answers about energy-efficient lighting.

What’s changing? The demise of traditional 100-watt incandescent bulbs will be followed by 75-watt bulbs in 2013 and 60- and 40-watt bulbs in 2014. The new regulations actually don’t ban or promote any particular lighting technology. They require bulbs to be about 25 percent more efficient. Traditional incandescent bulbs can’t meet the new standard.

What about specialty fixtures? You’ll still be able to buy the same incandescent versions of decorative, appliance and other specialty bulbs.

What should I buy instead? The most popular and affordable replacement is the CFL, many of which have a swirl design.

“CFLs are a pretty good technology, and they’re getting better,” said Maria Vargas, spokeswoman with the federal Energy Star program. “But it’s not an exact replacement for incandescents, because it is a different technology.”

Today’s versions are far superior and come in sizes that fit most standard light fixtures.

“CFL manufacturers have responded favorably to all the historical consumer complaints,” said Terry Drew, director of energy efficiency and sustainability for CSA International, which tests and certifies light bulbs. More than 85 percent of consumers report they are satisfied with the performance of CFLs, according to the report by the Energy Department.

But halogen and LED lights are available, too, and have advantages. For example, LEDs and halogen bulbs are fully dimmable, come to full brightness instantly and contain no mercury. But they cost more.

How much money can I save? Anything that uses energy has two costs: the initial cost and the energy cost over its lifetime. CFLs win on both counts. The initial-cost advantage might not be obvious because a CFL bulb will cost more than an incandescent, maybe $1.50 per bulb compared with 50 cents. But the CFL will last up to 10 times longer, making it far cheaper over the long run on initial price alone.

“In the time you would replace one CFL, you’d have 10 spent incandescents sitting in your trash can,” said Chad Bulman, program manager for the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.

Then you have the energy savings. A CFL uses 75 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb. Each CFL can save you about $40 over its lifetime, according to Energy Star. Those living in regions with high electricity costs save more. The range is $30 to $60 in savings per bulb. More broadly, the new standards will save an American family of four an average of about $200 per year, estimates the Alliance to Save Energy.

A minor benefit to CFLs are they don’t burn hot. So, in the summer, you will potentially use a little less air conditioning.

What about the quality of CFLs? CFLs have gone through growing pains. They once were pretty lousy: expensive and with poor-quality light. But today they are cheaper and are more similar to regular light bulbs. Those who were disappointed by CFLs in the past might give them another try.

Are there drawbacks? CFLs still don’t work well in most dimmable switches. And while you’ll get most of the light right away, it might take a minute or so to achieve full brightness. They also have mixed effectiveness in outdoor fixtures, especially in cold weather.

Consumers have complained about brightness of CFLs. But that might be due to the bad advice of buying a CFL equal to one-quarter the wattage of an incandescent.

“I think that’s a mistake; it’s more like one-third,” Vargas said.

CFLs also have trace amounts of mercury, which is a potential health problem only if the bulb breaks, and you’d have to break several CFLs in a confined space to be in significant danger.

“The threat of CFL mercury is a bit overblown,” Bulman said. And environmentalists prefer you recycle burned-out CFLs, rather than throwing them in the trash. You can drop off spent, unbroken bulbs at any Home Depot. You can also visit lamprecycle.org.

How about other technologies? LED is the other major type of energy-efficient lighting. LED bulbs don’t suffer from many of the drawbacks of CFLs. They are fully dimmable and great for using outdoors. They are more energy efficient than CFLs and can last 25 years. But they are very expensive. An LED bulb might cost $40.

Another alternative is a halogen bulb. They are not that energy efficient, comparatively. So, they will save more money than traditional incandescents but less than CFLs. But they don’t suffer some of the CFL shortcomings. They, too, are fully dimmable and give good light. They might cost $4 to $5 a bulb.

Neither LEDs nor halogens contain mercury.

Bottom line. If you want to start easing your way into energy-efficient bulbs, replace your five most-used, nondimmable lights with Energy Star-certified CFLs. For best prices and variety, buy multipacks at big-box stores, such as home centers, mass discounters and warehouse clubs.

Originally posted 2011-03-12 09:48:47. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

A couple nights I went to a hockey game. One of my favorite things to do is watch sports live and to me there is nothing like watching a hockey game. There is something so awesome about the beauty and the force that you see on the ice. It’s a mix of toughness (both physical and mental), finesse, and luck all put together in a game that is played on the fastest sporting surface known to man.

Of course, none of this would be possible at a live setting without the commercial lighting at the arena. I know, I know, it’s a mundane thing to think about: lighting. We take it completely for granted at sporting events. But without expert lighting we wouldn’t be able to watch our favorite team go out there night after night to beat their hated rivals.

I know it’s obvious, but one must recognize lighting varies from sport to sport, and from arena to stadium. It’s not just about shining lights onto the playing field, it’s about expert planners, electricians and maintenance men and women making sure that the light shines in the right places at the right times and seamlessly melds into the playing area and crowd.

If you really look at the lighting the next time you go to your favorite sporting event you’ll notice that there are different lighting needs for the playing field and for the audience. For the playing field you have to find the perfect combination of lights to make sure the field of play is easily seen by both player and spectator alike without overwhelming them with unnecessary brightness or heat. There is an old phrase in baseball that says “He lost it in the lights on that fly ball”. That type of problem is unavoidable at times but as a lighting designer you have to make sure that that kind of issue is kept at a minimum.

For fans, different arenas and stadium have different levels of lighting for the spectator areas. Places like the Staples Center in Los Angeles like to darken the crowd during games so that the playing surface can be better seen. For football and baseball night games, stadiums have a tendency to keep the spectators in a slightly dimmer light then the playing surface, but still give them enough light to walk, eat and peruse comfortably.

Just a little something to think about the next time you go out to root on your favorite sports team.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/technology-articles/commercial-lighting-and-sports-not-as-mundane-as-you-might-think-2028503.html

About the Author

Author Kimberly Green has experience with interior decorating and specializes in residential home lighting as well as some commercial lighting for businesses.

Originally posted 2011-05-27 15:04:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Many of like to settle down comfortably in some favorite corner of the house and spend some time reading books or magazines we love. All of us have some reading and writing to do at some point of time. These two activities put a strain on our eyes and thus what is needed is proper lighting to reduce the strain. Adequate desk lighting is a must for students for long hours of night study. Here are a few tips on how the lighting should be while studying, writing or working on a computer:

• Lighting should be bright and must be focused on to the area where you are working.
• Use task lighting as it is focused and does not create any shadows. This lighting illuminates only the work surface like the study table.
• Use halogen bulbs as experts consider them the best to illuminate reading material.
• Using fluorescent bulbs is better than using incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs last longer, save electricity and are now available in a variety of colors.
• Right-handed individuals should place the light on their left hand side and vice versa. This is to ensure that the shadow of the hand does not fall the pages.
• You should sit upright and read with the material at a distance of about 14 to 18 inches away from the eyes.
• For long night study one should choose glare-free task lighting.
• As an individual grows older his eyes become weaker. Thus older people need more light for reading and writing.

Originally posted 2009-04-18 17:51:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Originally posted 2011-03-31 18:31:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Before

After

Empire Lighting Resources recently completed a lighting retrofit for Carroll Tire Company’s 80,000 s.f. warehouse. Carroll’s primary light sources were from aging, energy consuming 458 watt metal halide fixtures, 300 watt incandescent fixtures and sky lights. As a result, the facility was grossly under lit, especially on cloudy days or when there was no sunlight. This problem was compounded by racking that is filled with black rubber tires which absorb light.

Empire Lighting resources provided a comprehensive lighting plan that provided significantly more light while not using excessive energy. Empire Lighting Resources used 8 lamp fluorescent Aisle Lighters with enhanced aluminum reflectors in the narrower aisles and 8 lamp Hi-Bay Reflector fixtures in the open areas. The installed fixtures all featured Empire Lighting Resources VIZ-A-LITE High Vision lamps.

The average energy savings will be approximately $4,700 per year, but more importantly, the facility is much brighter and Carroll Tire has happier and more productive employees.

Originally posted 2009-09-30 13:49:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Because of the growing number of private volleyball courts and recreational volleyball courts in residential areas and neighborhood outdoor recreation areas, the floodlights of yesteryear are rapidly being replaced by sharp cutoff volleyball court lighting fixtures and metal halide or high pressure sodium lamps. Cut-off style fixtures offer greater control of volleyball lighting and minimize light spillage, making them ideal for schools, churches, YMCA’s, and even personal backyards in cities with very strict dark sky compliance laws. Cut-off style volleyball court lights also look more sheik and attractive than traditional shoebox lighting designs and serve to better compliment adjacent building architecture and surrounding indigenous vegetation.

RLLD Commercial Lighting provides a wide range of fixture types and lamp wattage strengths for recreational and professional volleyball court lighting. For private courts, we recommend that you consult with an electrician who can install this equipment, as a number of calculations have to be factored into the equation when choosing and installing lights for a volleyball court. Standard court size is normally 60′ by 30′, although these dimensions can vary in a variety of private settings and special recreational facilities. Working with a trained expert in RLLD Commercial Lighting can also save a contractor a great deal of time in doing all the math necessary to make all the necessary adjustments needed to light a volleyball court that varies in any way from standard measurements. It is also necessary to take a number of additional factors into account as follows.

1. Pole and Fixture Placement

In most volleyball court lighting designs, it is generally a good idea to use one double lighting kit on each side of the court. We have a number of wooden and steel poles in standard and decorative designs to offer a complimentary touch to the sidelines, and we have mounting brackets that can be used to mount one or more fixtures to trees growing near the court.

As a rule of thumb, add approximately 20′ to the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the court in order to light both the court and sideline areas.

2. Fixture Attributes

The sheik cutoff design featured by RLLD Commercial Lighting Fixtures for Volleyball Courts gives them a strong competitive advantage when it comes to both aesthetics and performance. They present a much less obtrusive, almost low-profile appearance in comparison to the more bulky shoebox lights that are often used for tennis court lighting. The cutoff design offers a qualitative advantage over floodlights because it lights only the volleyball court and sideline areas with minimal light spillage beyond the desired boundaries.

Lamps can be obtained from RLLD Commercial Lighting either in high pressure sodium (good for repelling insects) or metal halide choices (ideal for white light that nears natural light in quality). Consult with one of our specialists about wattages and ballast options that best suit your particular facility.

3. Fixture Mounting Height

The diversity of poles and mounts we inventory for volleyball court lighting makes it simple and quick for contractors to find exactly what they need to elevate fixtures to the precise height necessary to avoid blinding the eyes of players and sending light pollution into nearby stores and houses. RLLD Commercial Lighting experts can also help contractors and design professionals determine exactly which poles and mounts will best withstand any high winds in a given part of the country with charts and up-to-date information on EPA codes and requirements.

4. Quantity and Quality of Light

Working with a distributor like RLLD Commercial lighting gives the freelance electrical contractor access to top commercial grade lamps and fixtures to ensure that glare and light pollution are eliminated for the greater comfort, safety, and enjoyment of the game. RLLD Commercial Lighting specialists will provide complimentary phone-based consulting services to clients and advisory services for a small fee to the casual inquirer. Call us now to find both special volleyball lighting equipment and custom volleyball lighting packages made for end-users needs first in mind.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/volleyball-court-lighting-fixtures-691452.html

About the Author
rlldesign.com. For more information on Volleyball Court Lighting, Sports Field Lighting, and Commercial Lighting visit us online today.

Originally posted 2011-08-07 13:18:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Originally posted 2009-04-24 07:56:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Now is the time to invest in commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures and retire that outdated, and soon to be illegal, incandescent technology.

It serves none of us to continue using incandescent lights in commercial warehouses with a ban on incandescent lighting of all varieties coming soon. Now is the time to invest in commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures and retire that outdated, and soon to be illegal, incandescent technology. Commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures come in every shape and size and provide the ideal replacement for incandescent lights. This includes ceiling mount lights, hanging fluorescent strips, fluorescent wall packs, floodlights, loading dock lighting and even fluorescent, commercial high bay lighting fixtures.

What is the main advantage of commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures?

By far the longevity of the fluorescent lamp is the greatest benefit to industrial clients looking to make the most of their procurement dollars and reduce overhead for a power-saving return on investment. The terms of average lamp life and lumen output per watt makes any commercial fluorescent light fixture a highly efficient source of illumination. Fluorescent lamps generate very little heat and will maintain cooler temperatures in workshops, warehouses, and other areas where minimizing radiant heat creates a safe and optimal work environment for workers. Reduced maintenance costs and reduced energy consumption add up over time to savings that exceed the cost of initial purchase.

Do you know how a fluorescent lamp works anyway?

Fluorescent lamps create light by passing an electric arc between tungsten cathodes in a tube filled with a low-pressure mercury vapor mixed with other luminous gases. The arc excites the mercury vapor, which in turn generates radiant energy- primarily in the ultraviolet range. This energy causes the phosphor coating on the inside of the tube to fluoresce, converting the ultraviolet into visible light.

What are the electrical requirements for fluorescent lamps?

To start the fluorescent lamp, a high voltage surge must establish an arc in the mercury vapor. Once the lamp is started, the gas offers a decreasing amount of resistance. This means that current must be regulated to match this drop. Otherwise, the lamp will draw more and more power and rapidly burn itself out. This is why magnetic or electronic ballasts that provide the required starting voltage and control the subsequent flow of current to the lamp must operate fluorescent lights.

Most companies carry many varieties of commercial warehouse fluorescent lighting fixtures regardless of where lighting is needed in the facility. Some of the more popular types follow:

Wall Pack Lights

Fluorescent wall pack lighting fixtures are used to beef up security at entrance doorways, corridors, service areas, loading docks, and other venues that require a utility light source. Wall pack fixtures typically have vandal proof lenses and are difficult for intruders to dismantle.

Outdoor Floodlights

Fluorescent outdoor floodlights are used to illuminate outdoor signs, building facades, courtyards and smoking areas. They care suited for installation at grade level on junction boxes as well as on building pointed in a downward position.

Loading Dock Lights

Commercial fluorescent lights help loading docks maintain clear visibility for 18-wheelers and delivery trucks. Mounted on telescoping or swing arms, fluorescent dock lights are very durable, start instantaneously, and do not require a start up period. They prove their usefulness every time the power is accidentally unplugged or when the electricity goes off momentarily.

Vandal proof Canopy Lights

Fluorescent vandal proof lights help property managers protect their investment. These commercial fluorescent lights keep parking garages, car washes, storage facilities, warehouses with low ceilings, and other properties clearly visible with a dependable commercial lighting source. Fluorescent canopy lights fixtures are rock solid and have vandal proof lenses that are difficult for intruders, customers, or employees to disable. Models are available in both square and rectangular formats.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/fluorescent-light-fixture-320688.html

About the Author
Easyrack.org for more information on commercial lighting or fluorecent light fixtures please visit us.

Originally posted 2011-07-21 07:15:56. Republished by Blog Post Promoter