If you are planning on renovating or sprucing-up your kitchen, it’s probably a good idea to map out a detailed lighting plan as well. Most people find this a little strange as they feel that lighting in a kitchen isn’t something that needs too much of consideration or planning. It’s just a place where you cook and probably where you have an informal meal after all.

However, the fact is that it’s important to plan kitchen illumination well if you want to make optimal use of your kitchen spaces. Here, we would like to share some basic lighting ideas to create the right balance of functionality and aesthetics.

If you want to get a better idea about what type of lighting would work best for your kitchen, it’s vital to understand how your kitchen spaces relate to the different type of lighting. Let’s start off with understanding what type of bulbs you can use for the best effects:

These bulbs emit a yellowish light and you will now find many artistic versions of these on the market today.

These bulbs throw off a flat, cold light that has a bluish tinge, which lends a very harsh effect to the room.

These have a warm light that makes the place look very inviting and comfortable

These are the latest in light bulb technology and are available in a range of effects including white, cool daylight, warm light, yellow and a range of other colours and hues. Aside from this, LED bulbs are also 80% more energy-efficient than standard bulbs; and most property owners are now opting for these fixtures.

In addition to the types of bulbs used, the style of lighting or the lighting effects are what impact the ambience and appearance of a room. With this in view, here we discuss the different lighting effects that can be used in your kitchen:

This is one of the simplest ways to create the right lighting effect in your kitchen. This type of lighting is designed to help you move comfortably around the room. In most instances this type of lighting comes from grid-style can lighting, widely-spaced, wall and ceiling lamps, semi-translucent skylights or even the natural light that streams in through glass windows and doors. This is the base layer of any lighting plan.

In your kitchen, task lighting would be required to illuminate kitchen counters and food preparation spaces. Since you will be cooking in your kitchen every day, it’s important that the task lighting be planned and installed well. If you have only recessed lighting fixtures in your kitchen, you will feel the lack of focused light when you are cleaning, cooking or prepping in that space.

If you install one-dimensional lighting in the kitchen, it creates unsightly shadows in different areas of the room, while ceiling lighting is ineffective in illuminating spaces like sinks, under counter or cabinet areas etc. On the other hand, if you add special pendant lamps over the counters or even your kitchen island it can prove to be a more practical solution. Under-cabinet lighting can also help in illuminating the cabinets that are positioned there.

This effect doesn’t seem as necessary as ambient or task lighting does in a kitchen space, as the illumination it provides isn’t as functional as the first two. However, it can have a significant impact on the way your kitchen spaces look. If you want to enhance the appeal of your kitchen (regardless of whether you are getting it entirely renovated or are opting for a lighting upgrade), it’s important that you plan your accent lighting well.

As you explore different lighting options for your kitchen, you may want to check out LED light strips. You can have the strips installed virtually anywhere. If you have ever seen LED lighting, you know it is very bright. Amazingly, the bulbs are super small and extremely energy efficient. If you are looking for a solution to your lighting troubles under the counters in your kitchen, around the vanity in the bathroom or even an adequate reading light in your bedroom, consider having an electrician in Santa Monica help you with the installation of one of these affordable LED light strips. At The Electric Connection, you will find knowledgeable staff who are willing to help you take care of the little electrical jobs around the house.

The light strips can be bought at your local home improvement store in various sizes. They are sold in strips that allow you to cut the strips into the desired length for placement under your kitchen counters or over your headboard. Because there is some electrical work involved, you will want to have the installation completed by an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners will be amazed to discover how bright just a single light can be. They can transform a dark area, like your closet, into a bright, inviting space with just the flick of a switch.

Now, you are probably thinking LED lights are great for some things, but it can be a little overwhelming at times. There is an answer to that. Your electrician can equip the light strip with a dimmer switch. This allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds. The best part about LEDs is the energy savings. They use just a mere 36 watts. If you are ready to transform your dark closet or under counter space, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Electrical motors are wonderful devices that are used in a myriad of ways, making things easier in our daily lives as well as a wide range of industrial applications. When these gadgets fail, work often grinds to a halt till they’re back up and running, and the reasons for electrical motor failure can range from the commonplace to the bizarre.

While the list of possible causes can go on forever, we’ll take a look at some of the most common ones here:

Exposure to high heat is a top culprit for all kinds of equipment failure, and ranks as the number one reason for motor malfunctions and deterioration. Optimal running temperatures extend motor life, which is why they should be your first priority.

In fact, most of the other possible reasons for electrical motor malfunctions also lead to the generation of extra heat. A rise of even a few degrees can cause trouble over time, and if motor windings are exposed to an extra 10° C of heat, the life of their insulation drops by half!

Custom Electrical Services was able to present this amazing young girl Keeley Keller with a donation to benefit the JDRF or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Keeley has been living with type one diabetes for over 6 years.  Three years ago after trick or treating Keeley’s parents asked her what she would like to do with her candy.  She said trade it in for a cure.  Every Halloween she takes the candy from trick or treating and holds an auction for her bowl of candy.  The benefits from the action go to the JDRF were the money is used to help with research to find treatments and one day a cure to end diabetes.

“Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. Its onset has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and—at present—nothing you can do to get rid of it.” (JDRF)

Most of us know someone affected by T1D.  Ron with Custom Electrical Services has a close cousin who grew up T1D so he sees the way it effects peoples lives.  It’s more important then ever to get involved with the JDRF.  With scientific advancements researches are closer than ever before in finding the cure.  You can get involved in many different ways.  You can volunteer, donate money, or become an advocate.  The JDRF also allows for a tribute donation, as well as a memorial donation.  Please make a contribution today.  Thousands off kids across the USA are waiting for a cure.

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