How many light bulbs have you changed in your lifetime? It’s a simple action, and often one that we don’t put much thought into, but what if the simple act of changing a light bulb could make a profound impact on the environment, and the well-being of future generations?  As experienced Plano Electricians, we at ElectricMan Inc. have made it our mission to help bring knowledge of Alternative Lighting Solutions, electrical efficiency, and environmental responsibility to the forefront of everyone’s minds. The reality is that even small changes can yield huge benefits when it comes to energy savings. According to www.EnergyStar.gov:

“If every American home replaced just one light bulb with a light bulb that’s earned the ENERGY STAR, we would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year, save about $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to those from about 800,000 cars.”

Think about the changes that you can make by simply replacing the outdated incandescent bulbs in your home as they burn out with one of the Alternative Lighting Solutions below. Here are some details on a couple of the most popular Alternative Lighting Solutions available.

Compact Fluorescent Lamp: Modern CFL bulbs for use in homes consist of a curved fluorescent tube and electronic ballast in a single unit, designed as a direct replacement for standard blubs. They use 3-4 times less power than comparable incandescent bulbs. These are great options to replace your standard light bulbs, but they do have a few small drawbacks. According to an article by PopularMechanics.com, while CFL’s do have a much longer lifespan than standard bulbs, they often lose some of their brightness long before their expected lifespan is up, and this is increased in fixtures that don’t allow for efficient cooling of the ballast located in the base of the bulb. Another documented fact about CFL bulbs is that they do contain mercury, which means that they must be disposed of properly by taking them your local approved recycling center. You wouldn’t throw a battery out with the daily trash would you? So you shouldn’t throw these out either.

Light Emitting Diodes: LED’s are a form of “solid state” lighting that have become available recently to homeowners as an incandescent and CFL replacement. Using small light emitting diodes mounted directly to circuit boards, these are highly efficient, and have fewer parts prone to failure, allowing for an expected realistic lifespan of 20,000 to 30,000 hours, when operated at recommended temperatures. While initial costs for these bulbs are higher than incandescent and CFL options, long term energy savings are where this alternative lighting option truly shines, with the average LED bulb using approximately 12-17% of the energy that it takes to run an incandescent bulb of similar output, the end result is a bulb that costs drastically less to power over time.

As a point of comparison, here is a simple chart of the energy usage of LED and CFL bulbs compared to incandescent bulbs, and the output associated with them:

Lighting technology has changed a lot in the past decade, and it is pretty amazing to see what could be on the horizon for future lighting innovations. Take this for example. While most homes will never need this amount of output, it’s pretty impressive to see that something the size of a Christmas tree light, like this plasma bulb, can put out more light, more efficiently, than the giant bulbs that we use in street lamps!

The great thing about these changes is that they aren’t something that requires a huge change in your lifestyle, so they are some of the easiest ways possible to help the environment, and lower electric bills while you are at it!

It might be hard to believe, but even with as cold as it’s been, spring is on the way! And while you’re out enjoying the outdoors, the Sterling electricians at Kolb Electric want to bring you some electrical safety tips to make this spring safe and fun!

Keep power cords away from water – you probably already know this, but water and electricity don’t mix. Any time you’re dealing with electricity, make sure you’re working in a completely dry environment. You should also consider testing your GFI outlets.

Beware of power lines – if your spring cleaning involves getting up on a ladder or using a long-handled pool-cleaning tool, make sure you know you’re clear of power lines before you start. Power lines are interesting—if you were to hang from one without your feet touching the ground, you would be safe. However, coming into contact with power lines while you’re standing on the ground is a different story, as the electric current will travel through you on its way to the ground. Note that if the power lines are low enough, this could happen even if you’re just standing under them!

Always call before you dig – underground power lines are just as dangerous as overhead power lines, and since you can’t see them, it’s almost impossible to know where they are! If your spring plans involve digging of any kind, like adding an addition to your home or even planting a tree, make sure you call to confirm that it’s safe to do so!

Keep materials, tools, and all body parts at least 15 ft away from overhead lines – like we said above, power lines can strike you even if you’re standing too close to them. 15 ft is the safest minimum distance, so make sure you’re aware of this, especially if you’re working on the roof.

Never fly kites or model airplanes near power lines – we keep harping on the power line issue because they can be very dangerous if you’re not careful. If you have a kite or model airplane that ends up getting tangled in power lines, don’t try to get it down yourself—call your local utility provider for assistance. As a side note, make sure you never use any metallic materials in your kite—these can conduct electricity back to you.

Inspect power tools and electric lawn mowers before every use – frayed power cords, broken plugs, and weathered or damaged housings can make your equipment dangerous to use, so don’t use anything until it has been repaired properly. When not in use, keep these tools unplugged and store them in a dry area.

Watch out for power lines hidden behind foliage – before you trim tree limbs and shrubs, make sure there are no power lines hiding behind them. If you are concerned about tree limbs growing on or around overhead power lines on your property, call your local utility provider.

Keep your electrical box clear – you know that large, green, ground-level box you may have in your yard? That box houses the components of an underground electrical system. Keep it clear of vegetation and other permanent structures, as utility workers may need to access the underground lines and equipment during unplanned outages or routine maintenance.

Do not use electric mowers on wet grass – as we said in the beginning, water and electricity are a dangerous combo. Only use an electric mower on dry grass, and if you need to use an extension cord, make sure you use an insulated cord designed for outdoor use and with the correct power rating for your equipment.

Treat all power lines the same – some power lines are high voltage, some are low voltage. For safety, treat all power lines as if they are harmful—because chances are, they will be!

The Sterling electricians at Kolb Electric want to wish everyone a happy and safe spring season. And if you need an electrician in Sterling or anywhere else in the MD/DC/VA area, call Kolb Electric today!

1.  Size and install smartly:  Whether you are installing a crystal chandelier over your dining room table or as a central design feature in your master bedroom, the diameter and height of your fixture must be in proportion to other items in the room.  The diameter of a dining table fixture should be 12 inches less than the diameter of the dining table.  The height of the chandelier should allow for a clearance of 30 inches from table top to the bottom of the fixture.

Quoizel’s “Tricia” chandelier adds elegance to this contemporary dining room.  * Interior design by Sandra D’Amata International, Inc.

If your crystal chandelier will be a central focal point in your foyer, living room or master bedroom, take into account your ceiling height and choose a chandelier that may be installed to leave at least a 7-foot clearance from the floor to the bottom of the chandelier.

2.  Reflect Resplendence:  The true beauty in a crystal chandelier extends far past the light source, decorative finishing and crystal configuration.  Crystal facets reflect and refract a brilliant array of colors and illuminating effects, especially when combined with sunlight and/or electric light sources.  Matte finishes on furniture and surrounding walls work well with crystal illumination.  Avoid creating glare and unflattering shadows off metallic or shiny surfaces.

3.  Choose the Right Bulb: Most chandelier bulbs will be candelabra-based, yet what type of candelabra bulb you choose will make a tremendous difference in both the total presentation of your chandelier and the overall illumination in your room.

Crystorama’s “Mercer” chandelier–installed with dimmable LED candelabra bulbs–provides magnificent illumination in this master bathroom.*

Frosted bulbs provide a more subdued illumination. They are recommended for most traditional dining room chandeliers.  Clear bulbs work well with chrome finished retro-modern chandeliers and may add to the radiant sparkle of modern crystal chandeliers.

For a more traditional look, flame tip bulbs are the right choice.  Flame tip bulbs also look best in chandeliers with faux drip-candle holders.  Torpedo bulbs are less tapered and present a contemporary look.  Round bulbs add an eclectic vibe to a traditional chandelier.  Uniquely-shaped and/or textured candelabra bulbs may add a custom-designed artistry to your chandelier.