Most homes today have the capacity to handle 220 volts in their electrical systems. Modern dryers, stoves, hot water heaters and other appliances all use the high voltage standard, which can deliver twice as much as the 110 volts used by computers, televisions, smaller appliances and other electronics. Chances are your house already has the ability to use 220 volts, but some older homes do not and therefore have no way of powering more heavy-duty equipment. Fortunately, with the help of an electrician, you can add 220 volt service to your home, or run more 220 circuits if you need to add extra outlets.

Bringing in Maximum Voltage

Modern homes hooked up to the electricity grid take in energy from the utility company at 220 volts, which is then split into two 110 volt lines. Those lines are what bring electricity to your conventional outlets, so you can plug in and use your devices without overloading them with power. Homes built in recent years can therefore accommodate 220 volt circuits as well, which can be distinguished in the circuit box because the switches they use are twice the size of those for 110 volt circuits.

Older homes, however, sometimes only have the capacity for 110 volts in total. If that is the case in your home, you will need to upgrade if you want to use many modern appliances, and certainly if you want to sell your home or bring it up to speed on local code issues. If you aren't sure if your home has 220 volt service, call up your utility company, or have an electrician come take a look.

Adding in Extra Circuits

If you don't have 220 volt service, the electric company will have to run a new line into your home, and an electrician will need to replace your circuit box and possibly all your internal wiring as well, particularly if it uses outdated technology like aluminum wires or knob and tube. The process will not be cheap – costing a few thousand dollars at the low end – but as a result, you will improve the safety of your home and may be able to qualify for lower homeowners insurance rates.

If you, like most people, already have 220 service in your home, but need to add more circuits at the higher capacity, the job will be a lot easier. An electrician can add extra circuits to your breaker box so you can power whatever equipment you need. Make sure you specify if you need 3-wire circuits, which are used for most electric water heaters and boilers, or 4-wire circuits, which are more common for stoves and dryers.

Making the Grade in Safety

Remember, upgrading the wiring in your home can be dangerous work with stringent local building code standards. Unless you are already a qualified contractor, you should have an experienced electrician complete the work for you to ensure that it is all done safely and correctly. If you need to upgrade your home to 220 volt service, call up an expert electrician today.

Most of us will not be leaders with the ability to speak and the bravery to act as Martin Luther King, Jr., but we can change the world for the better in small ways.  Even one bulb at a time…

The world of illumination is changing quickly and advancing into a new frontier with light sources that are more durable, more energy-efficient and better for the natural environment.  While we still have a choice, future lighting installations with LED (light emitting diode) lamps will provide the best light for your home or office space.

To make the best choice, there are a few lighting facts you should know.  All LEDs are not created equal, so read on to educate yourself and make a change to LED with confidence.

Learn what light sources are available and the limitations and benefits of each light source, so that you may choose the best one for each application.

•The right lighting will always help you look better, feel better and perform to the best of your ability.

•The right lighting will always be energy-efficient.

•The right lighting will always work well with the natural environment, making the most of sunlight streaming in during the day and delivering illumination in the most eco-friendly manner.

•The right lighting will last.  Choose good quality bulbs and light fixtures that are guaranteed to provide excellent illumination, equipped with fine finishes and components that are durable.

1.  KNOW YOUR BRIGHTNESS LEVELS IN LUMENS

New bulb cartons are required to prominently display the brightness level (measured in lumens (lm)).  In the past we have determined bulb brightness in terms of energy consumption in watts (W), but now we must learn to think in lumens (lm).  Here is a quick conversion chart to help get you started:

Lumens            Old Incandescent                                             LED

2600 lm————→150W——————————–→25-28 W

1600 lm———— →100W——————————–→16-20 W

1100 lm————→75W———————————-→9-13 W

800 lm————-→60W———————————-→8-12 W

450 lm————-→40W———————————-→6-9 W

2.  CHECK OUT COLOR QUALITY:   Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) and Color Rendering Index (CRI))

•CCT is measured in Kelvin’s (K) and is an important factor determining the quality of light for your specific application: Warm White or Soft White is about  2700-3500 Kelvin’s (K) and Bright White light is about 4000 K+

•CRI is measured on a scale of 0-100 and is an important measure of the degree to which your light source will show the true colors of all that is being illuminated.  Color rendering for decorative indoor lighting applications should be between 85-100.

3.  FACTOR IN DIMMING CAPABILITY

Most dimmers work by reducing the amount of electricity sent to the bulb.  But with LED the correlation between brightness and energy consumption is much different than with incandescent illumination.

Because of this difference, LEDs are not always compatible with traditional dimmer switches.  You either have to replace your switch with one that is compatible with LED or look for replacement LED bulbs that are compatible with standard incandescent dimmers.

4.  FIND SUITABLE BULB-TO-LIGHT FIXTURE MATCH-UPS

The reflector and fixture type will play a significant role in determining the light output from the light source (bulb).  Look at colored lenses and fitters, as well as shades and shielding to determine how they will help steer and direct your desired level of illumination.

When looking to replace an incandescent bulb with an LED bulb in a lighting fixture where the bulb will be totally enclosed, be sure to check that your LED is specifically made for an enclosed or recessed light fixture.  LED bulbs run cooler than others, but they do produce heat. To protect the quality of the LED chip and the performance of your LED light source, LED fixtures are specifically engineered to provide adequate heat-sinking.

5.  BEWARE OF THE LOWEST “BINNER” and COMPARE PRICE VS. QUALITY

“Binning” is the process by which LED chips are sorted.

Prior to being marketed in fixtures or light bulbs, LED chips are sorted into bins according to their light output (lumen output) and color temperature.  There are clear standards set to measure the lumen output of each LED chip.  LEDs chosen from bins with higher lumen output are of better quality.

Color temperature is determined by matching up each LED according to a chromatic line grid for a specific color temperature.   LEDs chosen from larger bins contain more color variation and are not as bright.

Due to the process of “binning,” LED chips vary in their quality—especially in relation to their lumen output and color, so it is important to purchase LED light bulbs and LED light fixtures from a reputable dealer.

Philips medium base LED

Philips LED reflector, perfect for landscape and outdoor lighting applications

Dimmable LED from Philips

Kolour One LED bulb offers full 180 degree illumination

Look for all new LED bulbs from Philips, Kolour One, Satco and Bulbrite, now available at 1800lighting.com

Cappuccino Doughnuts courtesy of Ann Stratton from CountryLiving.com

Find your angle. 

Playing with the direction and angle of your light source is essential. With the right play between light and shadow, you can accent the most titillating parts of your dish, while camouflaging any flaws. Texture greatly contributes to the delicious appearance of most any meal. Notice how the angle of the light below highlights the different textures within this broiled flank-steak sandwich.

As the summer temperatures soar, people are more inclined to stay indoors for the most part. This also means, they want the temperature in their homes to be cool and comfortable. While no one wants to compromise on the comfort factor by using their HVAC systems sparingly, they are eager to curb electricity costs.

This seems like a catch 22 situation; but there are some simple ways in which you can maintain cooling in your home, and save on electricity too:

Instead of setting the air conditioning at a very low temperature, use ceiling fans or oscillating fans in conjunction with the AC system. You can set the air conditioner to a higher temperature as that will help maintain cooling in the room; the ceiling fan helps keep you cool as it aids in air circulation; you end up saving money as your ac doesn’t have to operate on a lower temperature.

When you are purchasing appliances, devices or lighting fixtures, opt for ones that have a high energy rating. This will ensure you save a significant amount of money on your utility bills.

It’s very common for us to keep mobile chargers, power strips and other appliances such as microwave ovens etc. switched on, even when we are done using them. It’s best to turn these off instead as that too helps in reducing your electricity expenses in the summer time. Any savings you make in this way help absorb the increase in cooling costs, that’s bound to happen in the summer time.

The AC filters should be replaced with regularity and the entire system maintenance should be done as per schedules recommended by the manufacturer. In most instances, a monthly check helps ensure that the unit is operating efficiently.

Operate and set the thermostat as per the outdoor temperatures. If your home is empty, you should turn up the system as the house wouldn’t require cooling.

The natural sunlight that streams in through the large glass windows and doors in your home also brings in a certain amount of heat. Use UV protective tint on the glass panels and draw the shades and curtains from inside. While this will make the indoor spaces darker, it can help reduce the stress and strain on your HVAC system, which in turn reduces utility costs. You should also shut the doors and vents of rooms that aren’t being used.

When the sun is shining bright, there is no reason to continue using the dryer; hang your laundry out in the open. Dyers are energy-guzzlers and you can easily eliminate this expense in the summertime when the climate is perfect for drying laundry outdoors.

When the summer months bring in the sweltering heat, you would want to keep your home cool without having to pay prohibitively high energy bills. The points we discussed above will help you reduce these costs to a certain degree. These simple things followed with regularity can go a long way in helping you cut down on your utility bills.