Science Daily just recently reported that kerosene lamps have been discovered as a large source of black carbon. Black Carbon is responsible for warming the earth by absorbing the heat in the atmosphere and reducing the earths ability to reflect sunlight. With the use of kerosene lamps in more than a billion homes today, even in well developed countries like the United States, the use is alarming and damaging to our planet.

If the electricity costs continue to rise as projected, that number may actually grow. The fact that more than a billion people are using kerosene has given rise to some serious concerns about green house gases because the black carbon from these kerosene lamps has been overlooked in greenhouse gas estimates and with such a widespread use, they are a real issue.

Field and lab testing that was recently conducted says that about 7 to 9 percent of the kerosene which are used in these lamps is being converted into carbon or black carbon. When compared to things such as wood, it is more than 7 percent higher since only about one percent of wood converts to black carbon.

The hazards of using kerosene for lighting your home or even a camp or cottage are many, when it is viewed in this way. One kg of black carbon can make as much of a change in warming as 700 kg can produce in 100 years. Kerosene offers a higher level of greenhouse gas than nearly any other kind of lighting fuel.

This and other information just now coming to light tells us that we may need to find a better way for those who live in developing countries or homes using kerosone to obtain light for their homes.

Black carbon is not only harmful to our health but to the health of the children who are living in the household.  According to Tami Bond, who is the associate professor for environmental engineering at the University of Illinois, “The orange glow in flames comes from black carbon, so the brighter the glow, the more black carbon is being made.”

This information comes directly from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and is an important warning to all of us. Using kerosene for lighting can not only cause health problems with breathing the black carbon, but can also be a causative factor in fires and now, is being viewed as an agent in global climate change. With so many other methods of lighting, the use of kerosene it not the healthiest or safest choice for your family or our climate.

Converting to cleaner methods of lighting the homes in still using kerosene would not only offer the climate a much needed rest, but may also provide for better health of those who live in homes that use the fuel for a light source or heat.

Whether you have a spacious and expansive wraparound porch or a cozy stoop to welcome you inside, the front porch is the perfect place to establish a mood that flows throughout the home. Today I’ve rounded up a unique collection of front porch decorating ideas that celebrate the beauty of Spring with bright colors and endless charm.

Springtime is all about freshness and a world ablaze with color. This bright DIY welcome mat filters out both the dirt and the troubles of your day.

I’m a big fan of coming up with Etsy.)

Unique ways to display a bounty of your Spring flowers abound in these fresh front porch planter ideas that are anything but predictable.

via submersible LED tape lights to your water feature.

As you welcome your friends and family into your home this year, there are many ways to welcome Spring too. Small touches and pops of color are simple ways to turn your front porch into a bright and cheerful space to invite guests into the home.

The kitchen island is one of the most functional and versatile areas in your home. Centrally located and serving as a morning breakfast stop, dinner prep and work station, as well as a gathering spot for entertaining and showcasing decorative kitchen accessories.

From classic and traditional to rustic and futuristic, an island light is a major design feature vital to the look and usefulness of your kitchen.  Choose wisely and install with precision to create balance and deliver the perfect blend of ambient, task and accent illumination.

5 Steps to Finding the Perfect Island Light(s) for your Kitchen

1.  Provide for plentiful, energy-efficient task light with  LED (light emitting diode) light fixtures.  New LED lamps are dimmable and available with improved color-rendering and color temperature.  Look for bulbs with a CRI (color rendering index) of at least 80 and CCT (correlated color temperature) between 2700K and 3500K.

2. For ambient or general illumination, recessed lighting may be added to blend with a decorative island fixture.  New OLED (organic light emitting diode) island lights are ideal for general illumination.  OLED light fixtures are outstanding and the illumination is glare-free, crisp and clean.  You may choose to use a variety of pendant lamps, track or rail light fixtures, or a single ceiling fixture for general illumination, but be sure that all fixtures are shielded and installed at the right height.

3.  Browse lighting stores and designer lighting websites to get an idea of what type of kitchen island light fixtures would work best in your space.  Keep the lighting traditional, if you have a country kitchen; go with a more high-tech modern design, in a contemporary kitchen.  The trend toward urban, rustic and organic minimalism offers the ideal venue for many of the new kitchen island fixtures for 2014.

4.  If you have a large kitchen island, accessorizing with a mini table lamp provides a subtle elegance. Mini table lamps also serve to bring the scale of a large kitchen in balance.   Chosen wisely, the right mini table lamp makes a true fashion statement and provides a prized finish.  NOTE:   Be sure portable lamps are sturdy and located in a secure spot, safely away from the kitchen sink or stove top.

5.  Top quality lighting controls and switches are crucial to the lighting design and usefulness of your kitchen island fixtures.  Don’t skimp when it comes to finding and installing control panels and switches.  The right system will greatly enhance the enjoyment and energy saving benefits you receive from your kitchen, the true heart of your home.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR INSTALLATION:

•Pendant island lights should hang about 66 inches above the floor.  If the shades are not very deep and there is seating at the island, pendants may hang lower at about 60 inches above the floor.  In rooms with 8-foot ceilings, aim for a 30-inch span between the top of the island to the bottom of the island light; In rooms with higher ceilings, raise the light fixture about 3 inches for each additional foot of ceiling height.  NOTE: Make adjustments according to your personal preference, overall lighting effects, and the size and shape of island light fixtures.  Some island lights look and function best when suspended lower and closer to the island; others look best when installed closer to the ceiling.

•Usually, an odd number of mini pendant lights centered over the island creates better balance. Install one pendant lamp per every two feet of island space.  For example, a six-foot island requires three pendants – one in the center and the others 20 inches away on either side. Take into consideration unusual sizes and shapes of chosen island light fixtures to adjust the spacing and amount of light fixtures required. Thin, tapered mini pendant lamps may look better with an additional fixture; oversized pendant lamps may look better installed as a pair centered over the kitchen island.

• Whether attached to a track system or installed singly into the ceiling, the overall ensemble—which may be composed of a few mini-pendant ceiling fixtures, one large island light or two oversized pendant lamps—should measure from one-half to two-thirds the total length of the island and be at least 12 inches narrower than the width of the island to allow for freedom of movement around this versatile space.

Visit an American Lighting Association (ALA)-affiliated showroom for more advice on how to get the best kitchen island illumination.  Certified lighting professionals at Capitol Lighting will help you find the right island lighting, and they will be able to provide the answers to your specific installation questions.

Check out these excellent and affordable island lights from Access Lighting….

“Adele”  23733 ceiling pendants in Brushed Steel with blown glass available in a variety of colorful glass options.

“Iron”  20738 ceiling pendants, contemporary with a fresh new look in brushed steel with opal glass.

“Tungsten” , LED, energy-efficient, cool, beautifying light.

“Kalista” in classic black and white with crystal adds a sophisticated and tailored elegance.

“Phoebe” offers 3 halogen lamps that are adjustable and provide luxurious light over the kitchen island.

Designer kitchen island lighting should not only be beautifying; it should be  durable, energy-efficient and eco-friendly, too.  Check out the latest kitchen island light fixtures at 1800lighitng.com.  Enjoy the guaranteed best prices on all new designs, including pendants, mini-pendants and large island light fixtures from Access Lighting.

It may seem way too early to think about ice on your roof, but summer is coming to a close in less than a month, and the milder temperatures are the perfect time to think about servicing your HVAC system, doing preparedness tasks around the home, and yes, thinking about the possibility of ice and snow on your roof when winter comes around.

At FB Electrical, we’ve recently acquired a boom truck that allows us to effectively and efficiently perform many important electrical services—de-ice cable installation being one. There are many beneficial reasons to have these cables installed on your roof this fall. We’ve shared a few below.

As you are likely aware, when water gets into a space and then freezes, it expands. Then when it melts, it takes up less space. As a result, it can leave cracks and breaks on your roof. If your roof is kept warm all winter however, then this freeze-thaw cycle may never happen.

When water sticks around your home for too long—be it at your foundation, on your roof, or in your attic—then mold and mildew are encouraged to grow. Standing water can create additional property damage as well. De-ice cables allows ice to thaw and evaporate more quickly than it would otherwise.

There are potentially DIY tasks you can do to try to limit ice and water damage to your roof. However we don’t recommend them as they can be dangerous for the average homeowner. We have the tools and the expertise, in addition to the knowledge of water runoff patterns, to do the job right the first time.

Ice can easily crack or clog your gutters just as it can the shingles of your roof. Keep your gutters working effectively by helping them divert water away from your home as it melts due to the de-icing cables.