If the bulbs in your fixtures aren’t easily replacable, you may need to buy new ones if you want to upgrade to more energy efficient lighting. Ultimately it will be worth the up-front investment either way, since you can save so much both in your energy bill and in replacement costs when you use LEDs or other similarly long-lasting solutions.

While some people like to own a house as soon as possible, it isn’t always practical. If you live in a rental, never fear! With just the right amount of ingenuity, you too can experience the joys of great lighting. Even if you aren’t allowed to tamper with the hardwiring, you can add more temporary fixtures such as battery operated puck lights under your kitchen cabinets or some really trendy plug-in lamps.

In recent years, LED performance has caused an abundance of hype in the lighting technology market. What’s all the fuss about LED bulbs? Turns out there’s quite a bit to rave about…

The history of LED light bulbs Light emitting diodes, or LEDs, are among the most rapidly advancing lighting technologies available today. Highly efficient, long lasting, and environmentally friendly, LED bulbs, like other forms of lighting technology, have progressed thanks to the work of multiple inventors….

LEDs – the future of lighting technology. Compared to the older lighting technology of incandescents and fluorescents, LEDs offer an array of advantages. Highly efficient, today’s LED bulbs are 100 percent efficient at turning energy into light, up to 50 percent more efficient than compact fluorescents (CFLs), and up to 85 percent more efficient than traditional incandescents. They also last 2-5 times longer than CFLs and 25 times longer than incandescents, reducing the need for frequent bulb replacement and excess landfill waste. Highly versatile, LED bulbs don’t flicker, are not affected by extreme temperatures, are dimmable, produce a high quality of light, and don’t emit UV light or contain hazardous materials such as mercury. What are LED bulbs made of? How do they work? Today’s LED bulbs feature solid-state lighting technology (SSL), emitting light from solid matter (a semiconductor), versus the vacuum in an incandescent or the gas in a CFL. Using a semiconductor made of a positively and negatively charged component, an LED produces light by moving electrons around its structure – a positive layer with holes for electrons and negative layer where free electrons can float. When electricity is used to move the electrons, they emit light as they flow into the positively charged holes. How common are LED bulbs?

Don’t throw away your hard earned money to the lighting costs associated with outdated incandescents. Contact Mr. Electric® for all of your LED bulb replacement needs. Start saving today with the help of Mr. Electric and the latest in lighting technology. 

Custom Electrical Services has electricians in Altoona Iowa ready to for all your electrical needs.  Need a light bulb changed we can help!  Need your whole house rewired?  We can help!  Custom Electrical Services can handle your Altoona electrical project no matter what the size.  From the simplest of task to the most lavish we can help!

Have a weekend or late night electrical emergency?  We have staff on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  You can speak to a live person no matter what the time is at 515-669-3418.  Or if you would like a call back during standard business time you can use are online form submission and we will return your call asap!

Rest assured your electrical project in Altoona will be in the most skilled hands possible with our electricians.  Our electricians take pride in there work and can handle any Altoona electrical project possible.  We have Master and Journeyman electricians on call and ready to help you with your Altoona electrical project today!  Same day service in most cases!

Custom Electrical Services has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.  We take pride in our work and always make customer service a top priority!  Our electricians in Altoona will make sure you are completely satisfied with your electrical project.

Go with who professional contractors and contractors alike choose.  Go with Custom Electrical Services for your next Altoona electrical project.  Custom Electrical Services currently wires over 250 new construction homes in the central Iowa.  From Ankeny, to Norwalk, from Waukee, to Altoona and all of central Iowa.  We cover central Iowa’s electrical needs 24/7.  Some of Iowa’s top general contractors use Custom Electrical Services.

There are few things more chilling than a home burglary. Imagine a stranger rifling through and stealing your possessions – to say nothing of the danger if you or your family members are home at the time of the break-in. Fortunately, you can take steps to deter potential thieves by using outdoor lighting to increase the visibility around your home. Today's inexpensive LED and smart technologies mean that you can create a system that is attractive, efficient and responsive without breaking the bank. Protect your home and your family with some of these outdoor lighting ideas.

A Light in the Darkness

Your outdoor lighting system should include lights near any doors and windows where a person could enter the house. "The biggest thing for any person who can burglarize a home is the ability to secrete movements," a Chicago Police Department spokesperson told the Chicago tribune. "This means darkness.”

Many outdoor lighting systems are easy to install on your own, although a few may require the help of an electrician for new wiring. LED bulbs are an attractive option because they use only about a quarter of the energy of incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times as long. Some outdoor lights come equipped with a built-in security camera that will not only light up to scare off any would-be burglars, but also capture their image so you can notify police of the suspicious activity.

Stand-alone solar panel lights are a good option for walkways, although they shouldn't be relied on as a home security measure since variations in weather mean they might not always provide enough light to deter a prowler.

Getting Smart About Your Lighting

Smart lighting systems let you control your entire home’s lighting setup from your smartphone, even when you're away from the house. You can adjust timers, motion sensors, dimming functions or manually instruct the lights to come on or off. Certain smart lighting and security systems will automatically alert you when someone is at the door and allow you to talk to them through your phone no matter where you are in the world.

With smart technology, you can also add an extra layer of deterrence by having indoor lights come on for a period of time when you are away, giving the appearance that somebody is home. If you already have a lighting system in place, you can upgrade it to a smart system by swapping in some wireless smart switches and installing a control hub.

A Safer and More Attractive Residence

Lighting up your outdoor space is more than just a way to deter burglars. It can also make your yard look more attractive at night and help visitors safely navigate their way to your door.

If you need help planning or installing an outdoor security lighting scheme, contact your local electrician right away.