On the topic of commercial lighting and products, we often hear the term Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP for short), which is a non-profit that was founded back in 1996. There general mission is to accelerate the adoption of higher efficiency lighting within the world of commercial lighting products.

In conjunction with DLC, there is a group known as the Industry Advisory Committee (IAC). There general purpose is to support the mission of the DLC through education, collaboration, and expertise within the field.

So far you can probably start to notice that the DLC is basically all about efficient commercial lighting. But what role are they actually playing within the commercial lighting products industry? Well, the DLC runs something known as the Energy Star, but DLC is all about commercial products where Energy Star is more about consumer products.

On this Qualified Product List provided by the DLC, you can search up products by certain companies that claim to be DLC certified to confirm that they truly are.

While searching through this database, you may notice that some products are listed as “DLC Standard” and some as “DLC Premium.” Do you know which is better? You guessed it, the DLC Premium! The reason that a product being listed as premium rather than just standard is that to be qualified as premium you have to pass even harsher and more strict guidelines. Do you know what that means? It means even more efficient lighting fixtures for those products that have successfully been listed as DLC Premium.

Want to give it a test and see for yourself how this QPL works? Follow these simple steps:

1. Visit extremely helpful link over on the official DLC website that go’s over everything you need to become listed, standard or premium. As you can see on the official DLC website, becoming DLC Premium is only for the most efficient and quality lighting products.

Cold winter months bring opportunities for cozy moments indoors  — but also some potential hidden dangers. More than 45,000 electrical fires occur in homes each year, according to thea licensed electrician update any damaged or two-prong outlets.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you have old and unsafe wiring because electrical work is mostly hidden behind the walls of your home. Remember, however, that wiring problems are a major fire threat. Pay attention to these signs of hidden electrical issues and then get safe by

Lamps and other light fixtures provide necessary illumination but can also pose a risk. Placing a bulb with a higher wattage than a fixture can handle poses a risk for igniting a fire. Heed the maximum wattage allowed for all fixtures and decrease the wattage or replace ones that seem to get excessively hot when lit.

Never decorate a lamp with paper or cloth that could ignite, and keep fixtures away from textiles, like bedding or curtains. Replace cords that are frayed or damaged.    

Most of us have batteries stored in a drawer or cabinet somewhere in our home. They are used for a number of different applications including clocks, remote controls, and toys. Batteries do create electrical current, so while these small devices can appear harmless, improper use can lead to dangerous results. Make sure you are conducting battery use in a safe and proper manner.

Ensure batteries and contacts are clean – Before using a battery, make sure that the battery is clean and the connections of the device are also clean. Any dirt or grease can cause the battery to not connect properly to the device or allow a path for the current to leave the device. If corrosion appears to be building on either the battery or the device it should be cleaned or disposed of properly. You can use a cloth to wipe away any debris or build up on the battery and device connector. 

Dispose of batteries correctly – Batteries are filled with hazardous acid. Once a battery is used up it does not mean that it is safe to throw into the garbage can. Batteries can still leak and cause hazardous chemicals to spread. Batteries should be recycled at locations that accept them, such as Staples and Best Buy. They will ensure that batteries are sent to the right place for recycling. 

Avoid damaging or using damaged batteries – Again, batteries do contain hazardous chemicals inside. It the battery is punctured, crushed, or heated the acid can leak or explode. If this acid comes into contact with your skin or eyes, it can pose serious health risks. Keep children from handling batteries in the event that they misuse the battery. If you find a damaged battery, avoid using it in any household device. Wrap the battery up and bring it to a recycling station. 

Match the polarity correctly – While many of us check to make sure that the positive (+) and negative (-) symbols are connecting correctly in the device, it can be overlooked at times. If you put a battery backwards in a device it may still function but there could be venting or leaking. The polarity indicators are there to let you know how the battery should be used. Ignoring these prompts can lead to damaging the battery and the serious hazards discussed earlier.

Batteries are a wonderful invention that allows us to generate small amounts of electricity for mobile devices, but mishandling them can be dangerous for our health. If you have questions about electrical devices or use in your home, contact your local Expert Electric to get the assistance of a licenced electrician.

Summer colors are abloom with table and floor lamps, wall lights, ceiling light fixtures and fabulous wall décor featuring the finest in stained glass and quality finishing from Meyda Lighting.

Choose from all new Meyda Tiffany designs or build your own craftsman style fixtures and customize decorative stained glass lamps; Meyda Lighting offers the finest in stained glass light fixtures, wall art and home décor.

For over 36 years, Meyda Tiffany has delivered top quality stained glass with a magnificent assortment of table and floor lamps, ceiling pendants, wall sconces and decorative accessories.

Named for its founders “Meyer” and “Ida,” Meyda Tiffany took root when Meyer Cohen built a stained glass window for his wife Ida.  What began as a hobby turned into America’s leading and oldest manufacturer of custom and decorative lighting.

Still a family-run business, Meyda remains committed to providing top quality Tiffany-style products, representing a wide range of fashions from traditional to eclectic.  Through a series of strong cooperative relationships with several small handicraft workshops overseas, Meyda’s designers work closely with quality stained glass studios to ensure a superb finished product.

Ever-expanding to offer luminous and brilliant lamps and decorative accessories, Meyda recently acquired Quality Bent Glass Company (QBG). The originator of many notable stained glass concepts, including the famous Coca-Cola chandeliers, QBG has been seamlessly incorporated into the Meyda Tiffany family.

Meyda utilizes QBG’s original tools, molds and techniques to create nostalgic lighting products much like those offered at Tiffany Studios in NYC in the early 1900’s.

With the purchase of Mecco Art, a metal art studio, Meyda Tiffany further expanded their range with state-of-the-art equipment and novel manufacturing techniques to produce spectacular custom crafted lighting and décor under the Meyda Custom Lighting brand.

Under Meyda Lighting Brand, thousands of decorative styles are offered throughout fine home lighting and home decor dealers in the United States and Canada.

The works of Louis Comfort Tiffany, Dirk Van Erp, Gustav Stickley and other outstanding masters inspires many of Meyda’s lighting designs.  Artistic compositions include Arts and Crafts light fixtures, as well as Rustic, Gothic, Revival and Contemporary lamps and decor.

Meyda’s extensive line encompasses outdoor lighting, too. Wall sconces, stained glass windows, fireplace screens, billiard/kitchen island fixtures, and novelty items are also featured in their repertoire of stylized lighting and home décor.

The creative energy at Meyda is astounding, as new styles and magnificent colors in hand-painted glass continue to enchant and illuminate with the utmost in elegance and sophistication. Meyda continues to implement one of the industry’s most extensive product development programs.

Whether you are searching for a bit of nature in sunflowers, wisteria and dragonflies or a hand-painted flush fixture reminiscent of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” Meyda Tiffany will delight your senses with eye-catching illumination.

Special order or choose from a grand selection of table lamps, floor lamps, ceiling pendants, flush fixtures, and wall lights.  Opt for a Tiffany-style table lamp or custom design your signature stained glass kitchen island light with Meyda Tiffany. Now available at 1800lighting.com, Meyda Tiffany is blooming with new summer colors.