lighting

Old is gold, but the journey to gold is not always smooth. As we age, things that were easy to do become challenging. Our eyes need more light to see things clearly.

Over time, small details become unclear; light and dark are more difficult to keep apart, and colors are blurred. These and other factors make it more and more difficult to perform simple, everyday tasks and increase the risk of accidents.

These lighting tips by an electrician near me will help you regain independence, enhance your quality of life and make your home safer.

1. Bring in the Sun

No matter your age, you can never have too much natural light in your home. Sunlight gives you maximum brightness at no cost. Open the curtains and blinds during the day and install more and larger windows or skylights where possible. To keep out prying eyes, get window treatments with privacy features. Some of these can also block the sun’s heat and harmful UV rays.

The only downside to sunlight is if you rely on it too much. In the evenings and on cloudy days, you still need light. Also, ensure the sunlight does not hit any reflective surfaces that could create glare.

2. Let There Be Light: Everywhere!

Once the daylight fades, ambient lighting will keep your home nice and bright. Chandeliers and pendants are common ambient lights. To increase the brightness, you can simply replace the bulb with one with more lumen.

However, you have to be careful not to exceed the wattage rating. LED bulbs are brighter but consume fewer watts, making them an energy-efficient choice. They also last 25 times longer, reducing the need for frequent replacement.

Because pendant lights cannot reach the far corners of a room, you need additional light sources. Have your electrician near me install recessed lighting to enhance an existing ambient light. Allow ample space between them and avoid placing them in the center of a room. Recessed lights can create shadows if not correctly spaced.

3. Make Tasks Easier

Apart from ambient lights, it would help to have task lights. These lights help you focus on tasks like reading, working in the kitchen, and anything else requiring attention to detail. Get a sturdy, portable table lamp for your desk or bedside. The neck should be flexible, so you can adjust it to whichever level is needed.

Ensure the lampshade protects your eyes from the direct light of the bulb. In the kitchen, an electrician near me can install LED strips under the cabinets to illuminate the counter. You also want task lighting in your bathroom over the sink.

4. Layers, Layers, Layers

Ambient or task lighting alone won’t make a home brighter. You want to have different lights at varying levels and colors. This includes chandeliers, recessed lights, desk lamps, wall sconces, and floor lamps.

Floor and table lamps can be used both as ambient and task lighting. You want to ensure the lamps are heavy enough and do not fall over easily. Keep the lamps out of busy walkways. Also, ensure the switch is easily accessible and not a switch somewhere along the cord.

Place a floor lamp near the outlet to avoid tripping over the cable. If you have to use a lot of extension cords, get your electrician near me to install additional outlets for you.

5. Beware of Glare

Although we need more light as we age, brighter light can increase glare when falling on reflective surfaces. Avoid using glossy paint on walls. Replace countertops and tables with matte finishes. Ensure your lamps have light fabric or opaque shades that help diffuse the light. You can also find unique glare-free lights.

6. Rethink the Switch

Light switches should be easy to operate and reachable. If the light switches are too high, your electrician near me can lower them to a more accessible height. You also want to place them in a convenient spot at every entrance. Get lighted switches or switches with a glow-in-the-dark frame.

You want to avoid toggle switches. Hands become less agile with age, and operating a small toggle can take time and effort. Have your electrician near me install large rocker switches that react to a push.

Touch switches turn the light on and off with a simple touch. Also, look for dimmer switches that let you adjust the light to your liking. Other options include remote-controlled lights and toe-kick lights for kitchen cabinets.

7. Install Motion Sensors

Motion-sensing lights can help you safely navigate the dark without searching for a switch. These convenient lights can be placed almost anywhere; in hallways, bedrooms, closets, kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, stairs, the garage, and outdoors.

Sometimes motion sensors fail to come on fast enough. An alternative would be to get light-sensitive night lights that turn on when it gets dark.

8. Focus on Safety

Most importantly, light upgrades for aging in place must enhance safety. Pay special attention to dangerous areas like the kitchen, bathrooms, and staircases. An electrician near me can install step or border lights to make a stairway more visible.

You also want to install lights that improve depth perception to avoid accidents. Light fixtures should not cast shadows which could hide or blur obstacles.

Buffalo Electric Is with You Every Step of the Way

Every homeowner needs an electrician near me they can trust, even more so as they advance in years. At Buffalo Electric, we take our time to understand each client’s needs and strive to deliver 100 percent customer satisfaction every time.

Should you have an electrical emergency, our team will come to you no matter what time of day or night. Give us a call today for more details.

Conclusion

These lighting tips can help you stay independent and safe in your home. To ensure your lights will function as expected, always hire a reputable electrician near me to install them.

Lighting malfunction is among the causes of 50 percent of home fires every year in the United States. A professional at Buffalo Electric will ensure your lights are correctly installed and safe to use.

Check our recent blog on this topic here.

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When Joel Spira first invented dimmer switches in the 1960s, he wanted to “create a nice environment.” Today, dimmer switches come in numerous types with several purposes to help you create the ambiance you want. Not only that, they help you save energy, too.

While dimmer switches aren’t a huge investment, there are some basic things your electrician in Southlake, TX wants you to know. Read on to learn about the types of dimmer switches, the different features, and other important factors to find out which is best suited for your needs.

Types of Dimmer Switches

There are several basic types of dimmer switches you can choose from. The main difference between these is the light fixtures they are controlling.

  • Single-Pole Switches
    These switches have two terminals for turning the circuit on or off. Single-pole switches cannot work for lights that are controlled from different places.
  • 3-Way and 4-Way Switches
    If you need two switches for one light, for example, at both ends of a staircase, you need 3-way dimmer switches. Similarly, you need a 4-way dimmer system if you want three switches.
    The number indicates how many terminals it has and can allow you to add more controls to the circuit. With these systems, you can only have one dimmer switch on the circuit.
  • Multi_Location Switches
    This system enables you to have several switches and dimmers on the circuit, allowing you to have both dimmers and regular on-off switches. These switches can be used with 3-way dimmers, remote controls, and smart lighting systems.
    You will need these to enable voice control and still have manual switches. Some systems let you control several lights simultaneously, independently adjusting the brightness for each fixture.
    Multi-Location switches have complicated wiring, and you will need to hire an electrician to install these for you.
  • Plug-In Dimmer Switches
    These devices allow you to dim a standard lamp plug into an outlet. You plug the dimmer into the outlet, then the lamp or fixture into the dimmer switch. A remote, smartphone, or other smart devices can control some models.

Control Style

Dimmer switches can also be categorized by the way you operate them.

  • Toggle Switch
    This is a standard on-off switch with a slider for dimming the lights.
  • Rotary Knob
    These switches have a knob that you can turn in either direction to regulate light intensity. Pressing the knob will turn the lights on or off.
  • Rocker Switch
    Like a toggle switch, rockers have a slider to adjust the light. The difference is that they are larger and have a sleek, modern appearance.
  • Smart Switches
    Innovative dimming systems have the usual manual knobs or switches but allow you to control the lights from wherever you are.
    You can program the lights to go on or off, bright or dim, depending on the time of day. Many of these switches also feature voice control and are often part of a smart home system.
  • Tap Dimmers
    You control the lights by tapping on the switch to turn it on or off and adjust the brightness. Some of these feature a touchpad with which you can program the lights.

Bulb Type

While dimmer switches can work with almost any bulb, not all bulbs can be dimmed. When purchasing bulbs, ensure that they are dimmable. Using incompatible light bulbs with dimmers will reduce their lifespan, damage the switch and cause flickering or buzzing.

Almost all incandescent light bulbs can be dimmed, but they are not as energy-efficient as other bulbs. LED lights last up to 25 times longer and use 75% less energy but can’t be dimmed as low as incandescent bulbs. Be sure to choose bulbs that offer a wide dimming range and are compatible with the dimmer switch.

Wattage

All dimmer switches have wattage ratings. Please ensure the switch can safely handle the load it must carry. Overloading the switch can cause it to overheat, leading to electrical fires. If you are unsure what size you need, call your local electrician.

Other Things to Consider

Though most of these dimmer switches come with detailed installation instructions, having a licensed electrician do the job is still a good idea.

DIYers sometimes make the mistake of interchanging the wires in a switch, leading to short circuits and malfunctions. Also, switches that control more than one circuit are more complicated to install.

Whether you are planning a kitchen remodel or want to upgrade your home’s lighting system, you should get the help of your local electrician. Sometimes the new installs may require wiring a new circuit so as not to overload the electrical system.

Depending on the size of your project, you might need to obtain a permit from local authorities in Southlake, TX.

Choosing the Right Switch

Ultimately, choosing the right switch will depend on how many lights you want to control, where you need to place the switch, and how you want to control it. While big knobs or toggles are easy to adjust, some prefer a more aesthetically pleasing design.

As for smart homes, they wouldn’t be complete without a smart lighting system that you can control from the comfort of your couch or from far away. Whatever your needs and preference, an electrician can help you through the process. Many electricians will also give you a free estimate, so you can compare costs and decide accordingly.

Light Up Your Home with Buffalo Electric

From lighting installs, electrical repairs, surge protection, and code compliance to home rewiring, we got you covered.

Additionally, our emergency electricians at Buffalo Electric are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to serve businesses and homeowners throughout Southlake, TX and surrounding cities. For more information, call us, and our electricians will gladly help.

See our previous blog here!

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Recessed lights are unique lighting systems or fixtures installed on walls or ceilings. Also known as can lighting fixtures, they have a low-profile style, making them preferable for homeowners in Grapevine, TX, to blend with their interior designs. The non-protruding recessed lighting housing is best for hidden or small spaces in homes because it can make them look bigger and more lit.

Failure of an electrician to seal the installation holes properly can increase the risk of rainwater or air leakage. Recessed lighting systems come in diverse housing, trims, and styles. With the help of a professional, you can select the best can lights for your home. In this masterpiece, the focus is on different recessed lighting housing, styles, and trims.

Types of Recessed Lighting Housing

Before choosing bulbs and trims for recessed lighting, it is wise to know the different lighting housing types. Housing is a lighting fixture that an electrician accurately mounts on the ceiling or wall to hold the bulb and the trims on the outer part to provide light. Some of the recessed housing fixtures include:

New Construction: people with a new home and fancy recessed lights can choose to have the installation of the lights before mounting their ceiling is complete. Homeowners adding a room or rooms can also have an expert install the recessed lighting housing before they finish the construction for better results.

Remodel: It is another recessed light housing that fits homes with a pre-built ceiling. It does not matter the type of ceiling you have because the electrical technicians will use their experience, creativity, and skills to create holes and mount the remodeled lighting fixtures. The electrician can mount the housing on any ceiling type regardless of style, type, size, or height.

Insulation Contact Housing: In addition to the above-recessed lighting housing fixtures is the insulation contact. Since the recessed lights installed on walls and ceilings for lighting bulbs and fixtures produce a lot of heat, they might cause an electric fire if they come in contact with insulation. For that reason, the insulation contact housing is the best choice for reducing the possibility of a fire breakout because they stop heat from reaching the housing fixture to the insulation. It also fits both new constructions and remodel projects, and proper installation by a qualified electrician can increase safety in your home.

Airtight Housing is another lighting fixture option that folks can choose for their Grapevine, TX, homes with heating and cooling units to stop conditioned air from transferring outside, increasing utility bills. If you have recessed lights that allow air to escape or enter, you can go for the airtight lighting fixtures for insulation that prevents air from escaping.

Other recessed housing fixtures that an electrician installs are shallow ceilings for homes with shallow ceilings and slope ceiling housing for buildings with sloped or angled walls and ceilings.

Types of Recessed Lighting Trims

After choosing the best housing fixture that fits your home, you can choose the best bulb, such as LED, incandescent, compact fluorescent, R-type, and halogens, that fits your housing fixture and blends well with your interior decor and artwork. The handful of bulb options for recessed bulbs makes it easy to get the right one for your recessed lighting housing fixtures.

Contrary to the bulbs, trims can be a hassle when selecting the type for an electrician to install on the selected lighting fixtures or recessed housing. Some of the recessed lighting trims are not limited to:

Open trim: This lighting can is the most predominant in most homes. It has no ridges or ribbed interiors that cannot prevent the direct glare from the bulb. The trim provides the brightest light than other lighting cans, making them the preferable option for families that prefer bright light. You can choose a light-colored open trim for your living room or dining area.

Baffle trim. Another lightning trim for recessed lights a qualified electrician can install is the brim can. It has a ribbed interior trim that reduces the glare from the light. It offers gentle light, making it the best option for rooms or study rooms that require more concentration on specific areas, such as study tables or sinks in the kitchen. The ribbed interior can be dark-colored to minimize the light reflection.

Wall Wash Trim: It is a recessed lighting trim with no interior ridges similar to the open cans. The wall wash trim is adjustable and partially covers the can openings. Individuals with artwork they want to magnify can choose the accent lighting this trim provides.

Eyeball Trim: Homeowners can opt for the eyeball trim if they prefer adjustable recessed lighting fixtures. If the hired electrician properly mounts the eyeball trim, it is possible to adjust the interior light fixtures to parts of your home you want the light to shine on. An experienced technician can recommend the eyeball recessed lighting cans for accent lights. You can also choose a preferred color of the eyeball trim that compliments and blends with your interior design and decor.

Shower Trim: Is also a recessed lighting component that homeowners can use in their bathrooms, showers, or wet places of the house with high humidity. It has a tempered glass fixture that covers the bulb to keep it safe from moisture from the dampness or wetness of the bathroom. Pinhole trim recessed lighting is also an option for people that want all bulbs to form a downward channel for a starkly impressive and modern look.

Call Us for the Best Recessed Lighting Fixtures and Services!

Recessed lighting housing, bulbs, and trims are essential parts that you should consider when planning for recessed lights in your home. If you want correct or accurate installation of the recessed lighting fixtures, you should reach out to Buffalo Electric for a qualified electrician.

We are an electrical company in Grapevine, TX, offering quality and exceptional services that meet the electric needs of clients. Our trained, highly qualified, experienced, and skilled electrical technicians provide electric installation, repair, and replacement services. They are also available 24/7 for emergency services.

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