1. Look for Energy Smart products and ENERGY STAR labels

2.  Invest in the best ceiling fans to provide cooling in summer and better warm air circulation during the cold, winter months.

3.  Opt for the latest automated systems, lighting controls and cool new switches.

4.  Accessorize with LED nightlights in hallways and bathrooms.

5.  Play it safe.  Keep clutter to a minimum and task light to a maximum.

Show off your fashion-forward, good sense—get rid of inefficient, old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs.  Why wait until January to comply with new lighting codes and requirements? Get a jump-start on making your home and office environments more energy-efficient now.  Replace old bulbs with new energy-efficient halogen, CFL (compact fluorescent) and LED (light emitting diode) bulbs.

Check out the latest energy-saving solutions in home lighting and accessories:

Under-cabinet LED strip lights and tape lighting.

LED Christmas lights and novelty lamps.

Tabletop candlelight and energy saving low lights.

Energy Smart outdoor lights.

ENERGY STAR-qualified ceiling fans.

BE CEILING FAN SAVVY

“The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) annual survey of consumer preferences indicates that ceiling fans are one of the Top 10 most likely products to include in new construction.” –www.enlightenmentmag.com/ceiling-fans/ceiling-fans-come-of-age

Ceiling fans—especially those with ENERGY STAR-qualified AC motors and the latest DC fan motors* –will provide significant cost savings on monthly electric bills when used in conjunction with your heating and cooling systems:

•In warmer climates, you may lower your air-conditioning thermostat a few degrees and maintain the same cooling comfort by adding an energy-efficient fan.

•In cooler climates, you can save on heating costs and electric bills by lowering the thermostat and operating ceiling fans in the reverse mode to push warmer air down from the ceiling.

* “Saving an additional 70 percent in energy has made the DC motor ceiling fan the biggest advance in this industry,” according to Jeff Dross, Corporate Director of Education and Industry Trends, to enlightenment Magazine (August 8, 2013).

The latest ceiling fans and decorative portable fans include Traditional, Retro, Rustic and Futuristic designs.  Get expert advice and personalized attention:  Professional lighting consultants at Capitol Lighting will help you to custom-design ceiling fans and lighting control systems for your home or office space.

Experience illustrious energy-saving illumination and comfortable eco-friendly air circulation with the most affordable, energy-saving light fixtures and ceiling fans.

INVEST IN THE BEST ENERGY-EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE LIGHTING

New Kichler landscape lighting products are the go-to choice for energy-efficient landscape lighting that is luxurious and affordable.  Cost-saving outdoor light fixtures accommodate LED lamps, as well as CFL and halogen.

Creative concepts in landscape lighting include Kichler’s TaskWork LED Tape Lighting.  Available in an outdoor/wet version, these LED lights are sleek and ultra-low profile.  They are versatile, easy to install and affordable.  This highly flexible, 24-volt tape is fully dimmable and comes in a variety of color options and convenient lengths up to 20 feet.

Kichler-The Premium Choice in Landscape Lighting TM  , offers decorative path lights, accent lights, specialty items, transformers, LED lamps and accessories for residential and commercial lighting applications.

For more information on LED lamps, energy-efficient landscape lighting and cost-saving light fixture applications, visit with a professional lighting consultant at Capitol Lighting or check out the latest energy-efficient landscape lighting, ceiling fans and light fixtures at 1800lighting.com.

May your days be merry and bright and may all your Christmases be in the right light.

Your kitchen serves as the centerpiece for your home. It’s a place where family members, friends and new acquaintances come together to not only break bread, but to engage in meaningful – and sometimes contentious – conversations (Does anyone follow the “no political talk at the table” rule anymore?). It’s where kids come to conduct science experiments and to complete their homework. It’s where friends come to play games. All in all, it’s the heart of your home,  a space wherein all should feel welcomed.

Because much of the magic happens in the kitchen, it’s important to have the right lighting scheme. Make sure to follow these useful tips on achieving the right kitchen lighting balance!

Unfortunately, one type of light won’t quite suffice, so to achieve the results you want, you’re going to have to layer.  We recommend implementing three layers of light: task, accent and ambient. You’ll notice that the names speak for themselves.

Electric cars are on their way to surpassing your fuel guzzler this year. Check out the latest line-up of electric cars paving the way for 2015. From best-value to the best sports car, electric vehicles are now available for every driver.

At $26,000, the Chevrolet Spark Electric Vehicle (EV) offers a great value in the lower price range. With greater horsepower and torque, this EV provides better steering and speed topping off at 90 mph. When charged, Chevrolet Spark’s battery power results in 82 miles. A great choice for first-time buyers, the Chevrolet Spark EV is a solid buy.

If you need a car for long distance driving, The Tesla Model S goes the distance. In a single battery charge, this EV can drive up to 270 miles. This impressive mileage classifies the Tesla S as the longest driving electric car up to date. At $75,000 the Tesla S is considered the best EV up to date. With the Tesla S, you can finally take that road trip without the fear of battery life.

Perfect for short distance driving, the Fiat 500E is a compact choice for your electric car. Sold for $32,000, the Fiat 500E is suitable for stop-and-go traffic due to its agility. It’s also great for parallel parking, being able to maneuver rapidly into tight spaces. The Fiat 500E is a top pick for those who drive primarily to and from work.

The BMW i3 is unique because of its carbon-fiber make-up rather than the conventional steel. The use of carbon-fiber material makes the BMW i3 lighter and faster, driving at zero to 60 in seven seconds. This EV also contains a range extender, pushing the amount of miles driven from a single charge from 81 miles to 150 miles. It is extremely energy efficient and overall the most innovative of electric cars. BMW i3’s are sold for $43,000, a reasonable price for its quality and worth.

One of the most spacious electric vehicles, the Toyota Rav4 can fit a family of five and has a large trunk to fit all of your gear. This SUV also delivers an impressive range of 103 miles per charge and a horsepower of 154. Relatively fast with a zero to 60 in 7.6 seconds, the Toyota Rav4 is a good comparison to the Tesla S but with the advantage of the much cheaper price of $50,000.

Luxury cars aren’t exclusive to gas-powered vehicles. The BMW i8 is the winner of the 2015 World Green Car Award. Cruising at a top speed of 155 mph and reaching 60 miles in about 4.2 seconds, the BMW i8 is an impressive luxury hybrid vehicle selling at an estimated $137,000. The sleek design, shark grille, and swan doors are sure to turn heads.

The Tesla Roadster is a gorgeous driving machine with 400 miles of driving range. Labeled as the Tesla 3.0, it is the highest quality of Tesla electric cars. Improvements include the battery, which has 30% more energy than previous models. The tires have also been upgraded, resulting in excellent traction for cruising down the highway in style.

A cheaper option for electric cars is the Ford Focus Electric. It is sold for less than $30,000 and boasts 76 miles after fully charging. With a faster charging battery of 3.5 hours and newer gadgets and tech, this stylish electric vehicle is another popular choice for electric car buyers.

On the other hand, a more expensive choice is the Volkswagen e-Golf. Although the Volkswagen e-Golf sells for $35,000, it stands out as the third most efficient EV in the United States. It also gets drivers’ attention for handling like a gas-powered car due to its steady power.

Toyota is leading the way for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). The main difference between electric cars and fuel cell electric cars is the source of energy. FCEV’s are charged with hydrogen rather than a battery. This change allows FCEV’s to drive for 300 miles on a single five minute charge alone. Hydrogen charging stations have made a rise across the nation, and there is even one located at UT.

Anticipation is on the rise for the upgraded Tesla Model X along with new EV and hybrid models for Audi and Cadillac. With the majority of car brands implementing electric cars, hybrid vehicles, or FCEV’s into their line-up, owning an EV is more accessible than ever. With a wide price range from the every day to going the distance, electric cars are most definitely in the forefront of transportation today.

To power your car find a charging station near you. To power your home request an appointment today from Bryant Electric Service.

As much as some good task lighting and a ceiling full of recessed cans will make a room come alive, there’s nothing like airy, natural light. You can change your home’s color, its style, and even its structure, but when it comes to the amount of sun you get, you can rarely change much. How much natural light you home receives depends on so many different factors both in and outside of your house – the direction your home faces, the topography and structures around, the number of windows you have – these can be costly or just impossible to fix.

So, when you’re on the market for a new house, be sure to consider the lighting potential of any dwelling – lest you end up with a dungeon, or an oven.

Here are some questions to keep in mind when scoping out a new property:

Normally, south-facing homes get sun at the front of the house, and for most of the day. They tend to be brighter and warmer. A house that faces north gets light at the back and is cooler and darker. This may be especially important to note depending on your climate. When it’s cool most of the year, you may want a house that’s naturally a little warmer, if it’s warm for most of the year, you may prefer a house that doesn’t make you cook.

Also be sure to take a look around your property and note what could potentially affect your light. Does your house face an open field, or another row of houses? Are you at the base of a hill that will cast a shadow for most of the day, or at the top, almost always exposed to sunlight? These factors will influence the brightness in your home, and also the temperature.

Once your house is built, it can be costly and time-consuming to add or remove windows. So, before taking the plunge and becoming a home owner, make sure to consider the size, shape, and placement of your windows, and what that means for the home’s natural light levels.

Are there large trees close to the house blocking out the light? Will a close-by lake reflect directly into your windows? Are the windows crazy tiny or just too big? Be sure to consider modifications – window coverings you’ll have to buy, foliage you’ll have to trim – and whether or not they would make a difference.