One of the main stays in Industrial and Commercial Lighting has been the Metal Halide Bulb. It is common in Indoor Fixtures, such as High Bays, Canopy Lights, Garage Lights and Low Bays. It is

So you have a Metal Halide (or even High Pressure Sodium) light, and you want to convert to LED. You’ve done your research, you’ve been inundated with marketing materials that tell you what is the most important thing to consider (coincidentally it probably is something they think is important). And now you are left to make a decision. New or retrofit? What new versus retrofit. We sell both. Our retrofits perform as well if not better than new fixtures, but not all retrofit kits can make that claim. However, if your fixtures are old, leak, and have seen their better days, then by all means replace them. It does not make sense to buy a new fixture that includes a retrofit kit inside of it like some vendors will try and sell you. The engineering of some of the new fixtures are fantastic. However, the real reason you would want to consider retrofitting is because you have a significant investment in fixtures. Why not keep that investment? Retrofitting is extremely cost effective, especially our Look for the DLC Premium Symbol, it’s different than the DLC Standard symbol. And that gives you the quick notification that the light you are looking at is the most efficient.

And why does that matter. It’s simple. It will save you a lot more money. Let me do three comparisons for you. First a retrofit kit designed at 97 lumens per watt to replace a 400W Metal Halide bulb, a second at 102 lumens per watt and ours at 155 lumens per watt. Lets keep everything else the same. Cost of electricity, hours of use. The only thing different you will notice is the watts consumed and the lumens produced. For the record, our retrofit kit uses the least amount of energy in this test BUT also produces the most amount of light. We will use 12 hours a day operating time and .12 kw.h electricity cost

Calculation 1: 97 lumens per watt retrofit head, 135 watts, 13164 lumens

Savings per fixture per year over 400 watt Metal Halide: $170.82

Calculation 2: 102 lumens per watt retrofit head, 143 watts, 14600 lumens

Savings per fixture per year over 400 watt Metal Halide: $166.62

OK, so between the competitor options, you are neck and neck, the difference is so minimal you can make your decision based on whose website you like more

Calculation 3: 155 lumens per watt retrofit head, 100 watts, 15,776 lumens (this is our LED Retrofit Kit)

Savings per fixture per year over 400 watt Metal Halide: $189.22

So there is clearly a $18.40 savings over the first LED retrofit option and a $22.60 savings per fixture over the second LED Retrofit option. And, we produce more light!

We have 3 mini LED Retrofit Kits, 30W, 45W and 60W designed to replace up to 250W Metal Halide. We have 3 standard sized retrofit kits, 75W, 100W and 120W designed to replace from 250 Watt to 400 Watt Metal Halide. We have 2 Large Retrofit Kits, 150W and 200W, designed to provide more light than a 400W Metal Halide up to 750W Metal Halide. And we have 3 Extra Large retrofit kits, 280W, 320W and 350W, designed to replace 1000W Metal Halide.

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Piano Lamps Sing and Make Sweet Music at Capitol Lighting!

Ambient lighting in a piano room or formal living space is the key note needed and piano lamps can make this room sing and make sweet music!  Capitol Lighting offers a beautiful selection of piano lamps and picture lighting for any room in your home. Make a grand statement with modern piano lamps on your baby grand piano! House of Troy lighting makes any piano sing and they offer picture lighting in a wide selection of finishes to choose from such as polished brass-gold, black and even satin nickel brushed steel.

Create the perfect ambient lighting in your formal living room or piano room with House of Troy lighting.  Piano lamps and picture lighting is the key note needed to create a soft and inviting glow in a formal space.  Shop Capitol Lighting online for all of your formal lighting needs and start creating sweet music with House of Troy lighting.

Most people are familiar with smoke alarms or detectors as they are requirements in all commercial and residential buildings. But how do they work? And how do you ensure that they are functioning at their top performance?  If properly maintained, smoke alarms can and have been proven to save millions of lives in the case of a fire.

In general, there are two different types of smoke alarms.

Ionization means that the device is equipped with two plates that create a charge. When smoke passes between these plates, the charge is interrupted and forces the alarm to sound. In contrast, a photoelectric smoke detection system works similarly but is equipped with a light beam. When smoke passes in front of the light, the alarm sounds. Each function is beneficial in different instances and because of this, one is not necessarily better than the other. It is, however, recommended to have one of each of these functions on each floor of your home and in high-risk areas such as the kitchen or near fireplaces or heating appliances.

To ensure your family’s safety, it is recommended to check your smoke alarm once a month. In order to do so, you can simply push the test button on the smoke alarm. If it does not sound the alarm, you should check the battery and replace it immediately. You could also light a match near the smoke alarm to ensure that it is functioning at top performance.

For more tips and assistance with your smoke alarm maintenance, contact one of our electricians at Expert Electric – 604.681.8338.