The best Dallas electrician works with everything from large home electrical installations to installations as simple as switches. One popular install for the best Dallas electrician is dimmer switches, which are a favorite in many homes, both for their energy-friendly operation and their style.

Dimmer Switches: Why Install Them in Your Home

Dimmer switches are an inexpensive item that many homeowners love to add to their electrical setup at home for many reasons.

Dimmers save power, decreasing energy usage significantly and resulting in a lower power bill.

They set the mood and a unique ambiance to a home, whether it’s in the kitchen or the bedroom.

They’re easy to install, even for homeowners.

Dimmer Switch Installation Tips

Even an easy installation can turn tricky, which is why you should call your local electrician to ensure that your dimmer switch install is done correctly. Still, if you feel comfortable doing the installation yourself, here are some tips for a smooth and pain-free dimmer switch installation.

Check the wattage limits on switches to prevent overheating and overloading of the circuits. Dimmers can handle anywhere from 600 to, in some cases, 2,000 watts of power. The key is to not run too many lights on the switch and risk overheating or overloading it, which can be dangerous. You will know if there is something wrong with one of those scenarios if, when you touch the dimmer after installing it and running it, it’s hot to the touch. Warm is normal; hot is not. This is one of the reasons why you should consider calling the best Dallas electrician to help oversee your installation.

Make sure that there are no other dimmers connected to the same circuit. Much like having too many appliances in the same circuit can be a danger, too many dimmers can cause overloading that results in dangerous circumstances and costly repairs.

Never use fluorescent bulbs with dimmer switches. Fluorescent bulbs will not work with dimmer switches. If you really want to use fluorescent lights, you can find some for a pretty hefty price that will run on dimmers.

Ordinary dimmer switches cannot run devices that rely on a motor, like ceiling fans. Ceiling fans are set to run at a specific, predetermined wattage and therefore they are not compatible with dimmer switches, which gradually adjust wattage.

Older styles of dimmers can sometimes interfere with audio equipment, creating a humming or whining noise. The best Dallas electrician can quickly recognize this as a sign that the dimmers are too old. To resolve this issue, you must either install a new dimmer or install a noise filter.

ElectricMan: Answering Your Dimmer Switch Questions

With over 27 years of experience with installations great and small, the best Dallas electrician team at ElectricMan can answer all of your dimmer switch questions and install your dimmer switches properly, quickly, and efficiently. To learn more about our services, visit us here or connect with us on any of our social sites. And if you ever have any questions, please feel free to call us at 972-792-7270 or use the Contact form on our website!

 

 

There is an art to showcasing masterpieces and illuminating the beauty in your decor.   Bring out the true colors, textures, decorative details and subtle nuances in your artistic compositions with the right light sources, accent light fixtures and picture lights.

 

 

Choosing the right light sources and positioning fixtures to illuminate your favorite pictures and artistic compositions involves careful planning, and certain key components are essential to finding the right light for each application.  Whether you are illuminating a three-dimensional sculpture, an entire wall-mounted tapestry or a grouping of framed photographs, there are 5 key components to consider.

 

1. Select the right light source—LED, halogen or fluorescent?

•LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs are excellent light sources for illuminating valuable paintings and original artwork, because they do not emit ultraviolet or infrared light that could cause fading or damage to fabrics and paintings.

LEDs are energy-efficient and versatile solid state luminaires (SSL), which provide bright focused illumination that may be manipulated and controlled with fitters and lenses.  Although LED light bulbs are more expensive, they last much longer and operate much cooler than standard bulbs.

Be sure to look for good quality LED bulbs.  The color rendering, color temperature and dimmability of LED bulbs is becoming more refined as technology advances and is incorporated into new LED light sources.

 

•Halogen light sources are ideal for bringing out the textures and colors in artwork and sculpture.  Look for updated energy-efficient halogen bulbs.

 

 

•Fluorescent—May work nicely for black and white photographs.  However, the quality of light in fluorescent fixtures is not ideal for paintings and sculpture, because there is a slight UV risk and the lack of shadow may limit your artistic lighting effects for 3-dimensional artwork and sculpture.

 

2.  Choose the right filters—light filtures and lenses help to focus the illumination or create a wash of light according to your desired lighting effect.

 

Whether you need a narrow beam of light or a wide-angle wash of illumination, the right accessories will help create precisely the lighting effects you desire.  From barn doors to diverse screen fitters, the options abound for creatively fashioning and directing light to enhance the elements of design in your artwork.

 

 

Picture lights and accent light fixtures are available in a myriad of finish options and light fixture designs, so choose a style to match that of your artwork—keep traditional with traditional; modern with modern. etc.  Your light source should enhance, not distract from the visual focus of your artwork.

 

 

The options for illuminating with spectacular lighting effects have never been more accessible. Color-changing LED lamps themselves are works of art, but they may also be used to highlight sculpture, decorative glass and crystal, as well as black and white photographs.

LED light sources are available in a myriad of colors.

 

 

 

Having separate controls and installing accent light fixtures on a separate system makes sense, since you may not choose to showcase your artwork on a daily basis.  Having separate controls also allows you to illuminate original works of art individually for dramatic effect, especially when you are entertaining company.

 

Whether they are hand-held, wall-mounted or programmed into your smartphone, controls provide the utmost in convenience and energy-efficiency.

 

 

◊The art of lighting a three dimensional object…

Lighting from above showcases Antonio Canova’s exquisite marble nude sculpture on display at Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo, Italy. The brilliant use of light brings out the intricate details and the true textures and feel of human flesh that Canova was famous for depicting.

 

Three-dimensional objects, such as sculpture, often look best lighted from one side, in front and above. However, precise lighting adjustments must be made individually for each piece.  Truly the light is in the eye of the beholder, and whether you choose to light from in front, uplight from below and/or above your 3-dimensional piece will depend upon your personal preference for the features you wish to accent.

 

You may have to play with the illumination—using a portable lamp or flashlight to see where you want the light to shine in order to bring out the best features in your artwork. Set a wide beam accent light fixture directly in front of sculpture that does not have a lot of variation in texture and dimension; choose a narrower beam from above to call attention to a specific feature in a multi-faceted piece.

 

 

◊ The art of highlighting paintings and wall art….

Illuminating objects on a wall or lighting a textured wall or vertical surface itself requires precision.  You may opt for picture lights, ceiling and wall-mounted accent light fixtures or portable uplights, but correct placement is key to displaying your artwork in the best light.

In general, LED or halogen picture lights should be about half the length of the picture itself.  Picture lights may be adjustable and installed on the wall or ceiling or be frame-mounted directly to your artwork, but—whatever light you choose—be sure to measure accordingly so that a flattering beam spread of light will showcase the face of the painting in all its remarkable detail.

 

*If you are deciding between two size options, always go with the lamp that will present a slightly wider beam spread than needed to avoid cutting off a crucial element in your masterpiece or limiting the design elements and significant features in your artwork.

 

When lighting a small to medium size picture, have the lighting reach the picture at an angle of about 30 degrees from the vertical.  Lighting placed much further from the wall may cause disturbing reflections on the picture; lighting placed much closer may cause unwanted shadows cast by the frame.  Usually, one fixture is required for each object being illuminated.

 

•Measure the distance from the ceiling to the center of the object and mount fixtures at the location that will give the 30-degree angle.  For example:  If the measurement from ceiling to the center of the object is 2 feet, mount the ceiling fixture 13 inches from the wall; If the distance is 3 feet, mount the ceiling fixture 20 inches from the wall.

 

•Adjust for ceiling height:  For 8-foot ceilings, generally fixtures should be mounted 2 feet from the wall; For 9-11 foot ceilings, accent light fixtures should generally be installed about 3 to 4 feet away from the wall.

It is best to illuminate a group of smaller pictures by lighting the surface as a whole rather than by lighting the pictures individually.  Use the same spacing from the wall as for a single picture; for balanced illumination, the space between units should not be more than twice that from the wall.  Using a spread lens or beam elongation will provide lighting for multiple units.

 

A bit about mirrors—beyond their usefulness as tools with which we may study our appearance, mirrors dramatically enhance our environment.  Although seen as a necessity in bathrooms and powder rooms, decorative mirrors beautify, brighten and expand indoor living space.  Even in a living room, the decorative appeal and vibrant energy of a few well-placed mirrors provides an added dimension.

For most mirrors, lighting should be soft and shielded.

 

 

◊ The art of preserving what you have…

Choosing the right light sources and positioning light fixtures accordingly is not an exact science; a bit of trial and error will help you to position fixtures with precision for optimal lighting effects.

 

Many accent light fixtures, LED light sources, and picture lights are adjustable so as you update or relocate artwork, you may alter the illumination easily.

 

 

To view the latest LED light sources, accent light fixtures and picture lights or to receive more information on how-to light your artwork, visit with a professional lighting consultant at a Capitol Lighting showroom or contact 1800lighting.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know that your outdoor lighting installation needs maintenance every once in a while? It’s true! To keep your outdoor lights shining bright, there are a few things you should master.

Whether you’ve already got a bunch of outdoor lighting or if you’re a first-timer, there is plenty to learn in this checklist. And it’s really quick and easy, too!

Check Exterior Bulbs

The biggest headache for a homeowner is a bunch of burnt out bulbs. If you’re not prepared, it can really eat up time to get the right bulbs. But the solution here is to be prepared! When you first get your outdoor lighting installation, be sure to write down the bulb type for the fixture, and go grab some spares for later use.

After that, it’s all about anticipating need. But how can you tell if a bulb is about to blow out? There are some easy tells! Your bulb is close to bringing out if:

Keeping an eye out for these issues can be a huge time saver, and ensures your bulbs burn beautifully all year long. Just do a quick walk around once a week to check for these common signs!

Check Your Outdoor Lighting Wiring

During your light bulb check, do a quick look over for your wiring. If there are cuts, cracks, or missing bits of wiring, get them replaced with the help of a professional! Faulty wiring can be pretty dangerous when left alone, particularly if it gets damp or if the wiring is coming into contact with flammable materials. Damage is easy to spot, so as long as you’re looking for it, you’re gonna find it.

And that’s pretty much it! Any other issues should be handled by a professional for safety reasons, but these two things are the most common causes for exterior lighting failure. Feeling more confident about an outdoor lighting installation now? Contact the certified electricians at Kolb Electric to learn more about how outdoor lighting can benefit your home!