Someone would think that a bulb is a bulb is a bulb; well that isn’t really the case. Anyone who has bought a light bulb will know that there is a large variety to choose from. These bulbs don’t vary only in terms of their illuminating power, size and application, but in type as well. It can be quite a challenge to choose the right light bulb for your home.

However, it’s important to understand that something which is in vogue need not always be the best solution for your home, your energy bills or even the environment. You should be aware of the different types of bulbs available in the market and what their properties are.

This will help you make a more well-informed choice and will help you save on energy costs too. When you are choosing bulbs for your home the factors you should keep in view are the upfront cost, light output, the settings and fixtures the bulbs can be used in, energy efficiency and how environment-friendly they are.

When it comes to home lighting in Australia, there are 4 different types of bulbs you can choose from. Let’s take a look at their features and how they stand up against each other in terms of efficiency, cost & environment-friendliness. Just as home design trends come and go, so also is there a change in home lighting trends.

The upfront costs for these bulbs are very low (it’s also why they are so popular), but they are expensive to run. These bulbs produce a warm light and are a good option for lesser used areas like a laundry or bathroom. The Government doesn’t really recommend using these for general home lighting as they are inefficient and because their running costs are higher. In fact, the Government is also making every effort to phase out these bulbs. They are doing this by introducing MEPS (minimum energy performance standards) for all lighting products.

These bulbs use tungsten elements and have higher efficiency levels compared to incandescent ones; they are longer lasting too. Unfortunately, there are many disadvantages to halogen lights. Typically, these lights are best used to light smaller areas that require focused lighting. However, most people tend to use them to light larger spaces and they end up consuming much more electricity than they should. The Government is phasing out certain types of halogen lights too.

These are a very popular choice and many homeowners use them. They are energy-efficient, have a lifespan that’s 4-10 times longer than that of any incandescent bulb and are available in cool/neutral/warm tones. They are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but are far cheaper to run in the long term.

Today, these are proving to be a highly efficient alternative to CFLs or incandescent bulbs. Their initial cost is significantly higher, but they offer 80% energy efficiency and last for a number of years. Since they last for so long, they are easy to maintain and are a good home lighting choice.

For any additional information about the different types of bulbs and advice on which type will be best suited for your usage and home, call Allround Electrical at 1300 169 263 and speak with our experts. We can provide you the best electrical solutions at the most reasonable pricing. You can also drop us a line via email or use this contact form and we will revert without delay.

Thanks for reading,1300 169 263

By Blake Daniel, Franchisee of Mr. Electric of West Fort Worth

Whether it’s due to thunderstorms in the spring, ice storms in the winter, or blazing heat and power distribution regulation in the summer, the electricity supplied to your home can be unstable at times. This makes your home vulnerable to power surges.

Preventing power surge damage has traditionally been left to the consumer to guess what to do. Do you buy numerous surge protectors and power strips? Do you spend time running around the house during a lightning storm unplugging everything in sight, while putting yourself at risk for electrical shock? Or, do you rely on your homeowner’s insurance policy to cover any power surge losses that may occur?

Now there is no need to worry, you can protect your investments by preventing power surge damage with a Whole House Panel Surge Protector, the heart of industrial protection for your home. There are features not seen in the marketplace until now, creating a main zone of protection and acts as your first line of defense while stopping power surges before they can enter the house through the transmission lines.

As the main line of defense, a Whole House Panel Surge Protector prevents high-energy power surges from ever entering into your home and protects your electrical panel, motor-driven, and other AC-powered appliances in your home against power surge damage.

While this is not a one-unit, full coverage surge protector, as there are many ways in which you can receive a surge, you can be confident that your electrical panel and most electrical items in your house are covered. If you would like more information on how to protect your house from power surges, ask your local Mr. Electric service professional.

It might be hard to believe, but even with as cold as it’s been, spring is on the way! And while you’re out enjoying the outdoors, the Sterling electricians at Kolb Electric want to bring you some electrical safety tips to make this spring safe and fun!

Keep power cords away from water – you probably already know this, but water and electricity don’t mix. Any time you’re dealing with electricity, make sure you’re working in a completely dry environment. You should also consider testing your GFI outlets.

Beware of power lines – if your spring cleaning involves getting up on a ladder or using a long-handled pool-cleaning tool, make sure you know you’re clear of power lines before you start. Power lines are interesting—if you were to hang from one without your feet touching the ground, you would be safe. However, coming into contact with power lines while you’re standing on the ground is a different story, as the electric current will travel through you on its way to the ground. Note that if the power lines are low enough, this could happen even if you’re just standing under them!

Always call before you dig – underground power lines are just as dangerous as overhead power lines, and since you can’t see them, it’s almost impossible to know where they are! If your spring plans involve digging of any kind, like adding an addition to your home or even planting a tree, make sure you call to confirm that it’s safe to do so!

Keep materials, tools, and all body parts at least 15 ft away from overhead lines – like we said above, power lines can strike you even if you’re standing too close to them. 15 ft is the safest minimum distance, so make sure you’re aware of this, especially if you’re working on the roof.

Never fly kites or model airplanes near power lines – we keep harping on the power line issue because they can be very dangerous if you’re not careful. If you have a kite or model airplane that ends up getting tangled in power lines, don’t try to get it down yourself—call your local utility provider for assistance. As a side note, make sure you never use any metallic materials in your kite—these can conduct electricity back to you.

Inspect power tools and electric lawn mowers before every use – frayed power cords, broken plugs, and weathered or damaged housings can make your equipment dangerous to use, so don’t use anything until it has been repaired properly. When not in use, keep these tools unplugged and store them in a dry area.

Watch out for power lines hidden behind foliage – before you trim tree limbs and shrubs, make sure there are no power lines hiding behind them. If you are concerned about tree limbs growing on or around overhead power lines on your property, call your local utility provider.

Keep your electrical box clear – you know that large, green, ground-level box you may have in your yard? That box houses the components of an underground electrical system. Keep it clear of vegetation and other permanent structures, as utility workers may need to access the underground lines and equipment during unplanned outages or routine maintenance.

Do not use electric mowers on wet grass – as we said in the beginning, water and electricity are a dangerous combo. Only use an electric mower on dry grass, and if you need to use an extension cord, make sure you use an insulated cord designed for outdoor use and with the correct power rating for your equipment.

Treat all power lines the same – some power lines are high voltage, some are low voltage. For safety, treat all power lines as if they are harmful—because chances are, they will be!

The Sterling electricians at Kolb Electric want to wish everyone a happy and safe spring season. And if you need an electrician in Sterling or anywhere else in the MD/DC/VA area, call Kolb Electric today!