home sectionhome section
Replacing a fluorescent light fixture above a kitchen sink is a project that almost anyone can do successfully the first time. Whether surface mounted or recessed the one thing that both styles have in common is that they are moisture resistant fixtures. The main thing to keep in mind when replacing one of these fixtures is to purchase a replacement fixture that is rated by the Underwriter's Laboratories for use in damp or wet locations.
Enclosing your electrical connections in a junction box protects your home from a fire in the event the connection fails, and the electrical code requires a box at every 120- or 240-volt connection. Connections for wires carrying less than 30 volts don't have the same potential to create fires, however, so the main purpose of a 12-volt wall box is to support the cover plate. It isn't really a box at all, but a bracket that you anchor to the drywall. You can use it for phone, cable TV and speaker wires as well as for wires for 12-volt lighting…
Growing grass in shady areas of your lawn can be frustrating. You can't control the amount of sunlight that grass gets, but you can supplement that light. You can also grow grass inside if the mood strikes you, either for decoration or for a pet's enjoyment. Even a sunny windowsill might not provide enough light for your indoor grass to thrive, but adding artificial light can help.
When wearing a light suit style, you're always going to want to keep a few important tips in mind. Find out about light suit style tips with help from a lifelong fashion industry professional in this free video clip.
For more professional makeup looks, where more makeup is used and it has to last all day, it's important to apply a primer. This guide will teach you how.
Double-pole switches are a particularly safe type of switch. Although they are often used to isolate circuits containing two live wires, they are also used to completely isolate appliances by switching the positive and negative wires. Unlike a single-pole switch that interrupts only the live wire in a circuit, a double-pole switch affects both wires, completely isolating the light when it is switched off. Connecting lights to a double-pole switch is an uncomplicated task requiring no more skill than connecting them to a single-pole switch.
One possible option when updating an older bathroom is to add a ceiling light combined with a heating unit. In these type of units, a heating coil is mounted either next to or around the light. When switched on, these produce heat, which can take the chill out of a bathroom on a cold morning. Fitting one of these units can be done with a minimal set of tools.
Using Tota lights is a great way to make sure your headshots come out great. Use Tota lights for headshots with help from an experienced photography professional in this free video clip.
A barrel ceiling is a curved type often used for acoustic or aesthetic purposes. If you need to light a room with a barrel ceiling, using hanging light fixtures may not be an option as they can interfere with the acoustics of the room, as well as break up the clean view of the ceiling's arc. You can provide light for the room while keeping the line of the ceiling intact by installing recessed lights. These are fixtures that rest inside the ceiling, with the bottom of the fixture flush against the ceiling's surface.
Acoustic ceilings, or drop ceilings, are the ones you see in many businesses, where the ceiling looks like a grid with movable panels that lift up and out. These ceilings are occasionally used in homes, too, but this raises more than a few questions as people try to combine the lightweight, movable panels with common home fixtures, such as recessed lighting. It is possible to use recessed lighting in a drop ceiling if you follow a few rules.
Since the introduction of LED backlighting technology, LED LCD high-definition televisions have begun overtaking the marketplace, as countless TV producers are competing for the top spot. One such producer is Samsung, a powerhouse HDTV developer with decades of experience in the television industry. Since the first LED TV appeared, in fact, Samsung has released multiple backlit LED series, including but not limited to the 9 series and the C8000 series.
Basement flood lights provide bright lighting for basement work areas and a durable lighting solution for unfinished basements. To install a flood light in your basement you need to run power lines from a junction box to a light switch and the flood light before you can install your flood light fixture.
Selecting kitchen ceiling lights requires you to keep a few very important things in mind. Learn how to select kitchen ceiling lights with help from a registered interior designer in this free video clip.
If you have a drop ceiling in your home, one potential lighting design is recessed light fixtures. A drop ceiling is often used in place of drywall or plaster to conceal extra electrical wiring and exposed construction. One benefit of a dropped ceiling is that you can easily install a variety of sizes of recessed lighting and easily wire fixtures to your specifications.
Bamboo grows rapidly and adds a fresh green accent in your home. However, if you do not have the room to house tall, vertical bamboo, shape and form the bamboo into a spiraling display. This can be accomplished by utilizing sunlight to twist the bamboo into various patterns. Light causes a phototropic reaction in bamboo, making it bend toward the direction of the light and allowing the bamboo to curl as it grows.
A tray ceiling is a type of ceiling that drops around the perimeter of the room, with a raised section in the center. Tray ceilings can be used to conceal ducts or pipes that run through the room but can also be used to provide flair to a room that a standard ceiling wouldn't provide. Installing recessed lights in the tray ceiling can provide additional lighting for the room and can be used to dramatically highlight the areas underneath the tray ceiling.
Most garage door openers come with a single light bulb that lights up when you activate the garage door. This bulb is better than no light, but it usually doesn't provide enough light to see the entire garage. You might benefit from hanging a shop-style fluorescent light fixture behind the garage door opener and attaching the fixture to the opener so the new light is activated when the door is opened. This is a very simple wiring project that should take less than an hour for most homeowners.
Recessed lighting over a table -- whether the table is in a loft, great room in an open floor plan, kitchen or dining room -- helps to define your space. A kitchen or dining room table often serves multiple purposes in the home, and recessed lighting gives the table both task lighting and mood lighting. Center a table with recessed lighting to take full advantage of the lights for a relaxed mood at meals -- and focused illumination for household accounts, homework, reading, craft projects or playing cards.
Outdoor wedding receptions often take place in late afternoon through late evening, presenting the wedding photographer with an ever-changing level of light. To produce pleasing photos for your client in these conditions, you have at least several challenges that must be worked through before first pushing the shutter release.
When installing rail, or track, lighting on a drop ceiling, you will need to install mounting brackets to hold the weight of the lights. Drop ceilings are installed several inches below the main ceiling and only serve decorative purpose. They are made from thin acoustic tiles that cannot support the weight of the lighting. Attaching special brackets and hanger wires makes it easier for the drop ceiling to anchor the rail lights; the main ceiling will hold the weight while the lights themselves will hang from the drop ceiling. Turn the electricity off before you begin.
When you start to feel like you're watching a strobe light instead of your favorite TV program, you know your VIZIO TV has a flicker problem. VIZIO's televisions use liquid crystal display, or LCD, technology to generate the colors and images you see on screen. Because of this LCD technology, all of VIZIO's TVs require some type of third-party backlight -- and it's this backlight that's often to blame for an on-screen flicker.
Replacing recessed lights to add a different look and feel to your ceiling sometimes requires different sized holes. Ideally you want fixtures that use the same hole you currently have in the ceiling. Unfortunately the lights you like are often either larger or smaller. Replacing recessed lighting with different sized holes requires either cutting the hole larger or rebuilding the hole and cutting a new one. Once you have the holes sized correctly, install the new fixtures according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Recessed lights sometimes need attention to repair wires or replace the fixture. If you have a suspended ceiling, it is necessary to access the light fixture panel from both sides to remove it from the ceiling. Accessing a panel with recessed lighting requires removing a ceiling panel that is next to the light panel. This gives you some room to work below and above the ceiling panel. Unlike surface mounted light fixtures, the recessed light can does not make direct contact with the panel from the top. The light can has its own support rails that mount between the ceiling…
Recessed lighting with an ICAT rating means the lighting is air-tight and able to have insulation rest up against it. ICAT stands for “insulation contact air tight.” Most canned lighting in residential applications has this rating. However, it is still a good idea to insulate ICAT recessed lighting with a barrier to keep the insulation from directly contacting the light can. The best method is to use stiff wire mesh that is available in rolls at home improvement centers.
Non-IC-rated recessed lighting poses a few issues if you want to add insulation in the attic. Non-IC means that insulation should not contact the light fixture can due to the heat given off by the lights. Although there are commercial boxes available, it is possible to build a box around a non-IC recessed light yourself with a standard square heating duct. Because of the heat the light gives off, the top of the box must be open. In essence you are creating a square dam around the fixture so that insulation can be added around the outside of the box.
Suspended ceilings have a number of lighting options such as drop-in florescent tube lights, recessed canister lights and even chandeliers. The electrical wiring for lights in suspended ceilings is governed by electrical codes that cover wiring in accessible areas for moveable equipment. The cables that connect the lighting fixtures are often called lighting flexes or whips.
If your low-voltage lamp post is not lighting at night, it could stem from a faulty light sensor. Light sensors are on dusk-to-dawn type lamp posts. Once the sun sets, the sensor completes a circuit to turn on the lamp post. Removing the light sensor on a low-voltage lamp post to replace it depends upon the type of lamp post. Although lamp posts can be taken apart in several ways, the general process is similar.
Two types of recessed lighting are available: IC rated and non-IC rated. IC stands for insulation contact and refers to whether or not it is safe for insulation to touch the recessed light fixture. Find out if your recessed light is IC rated by reading the information found on a sticker inside the fixture. If your light is non-IC rated and you cannot replace it at this time, you must take proper care when you install insulation around it because of the heat it throws off. Keep in mind, a non-IC rated recessed light will never be 100 percent insulated.
Low-voltage landscaping lights, or those 12 volts, provide a number of functions around a home. They are decorative in themselves, and they allow special features of the home to be in the spotlight. Arranged along a path, they give sufficient light to see at night, and they provide security by allowing the homeowners to see who is in the yard. The width of the beam they cast depends upon the light bulb.
Light fixtures should seamlessly blend into the rest of your home's color and decor themes, with complementary styles and finishes. When redecorating, you might have replace the entire fixture -- be it chandelier, flush-mount or sconce -- to match your room's new look. If you have recessed lights, changing their look is a snap. Recessed lights do not require removal of the fixture to change their appearance. Since the ceiling trim is the only thing visible, change the trim and you instantly update the look of the light.
It is a common misconception that electrical "power," or energy, is derived solely from voltage calculations. When determining the cable dimensions required for any electrical circuit, it is far more important to determine the current, often referred to as amperage, that must flow through the circuit at any voltage. Recalling Ohm's law: voltage equals current times resistance, it is easy to see that at low voltages one must either have very low current or very low resistance in the wire to safely operate the circuit. Voltage is, in a manner of speaking, a byproduct of current and resistance.
If you have ever leafed through a decorating magazine and seen rooms with spectacular indirect lighting, chances are you were looking at a tray ceiling with rope lighting. Although a lit tray ceiling appears to be a complex architectural feature because it imparts such high visual impact, the fact is that creating the look is not as complicated as it seems. Indirect lighting in a tray ceiling is a decorative way to solve lighting problems by eliminating glare and adding a feeling of space to a small room. A tray ceiling with indirect lighting can be installed by using crown…
Recessed lights offer unobtrusive lighting options that differ from the standard fixtures that hang from a ceiling. Recessed lights fit entirely inside the ceiling or attic cavity with only the trim portion exposed. Some recessed lights have an internal baffle, which is a metal cone that reduces the amount of glare produced by the light bulbs. If you need to remove the baffle, you simply release the spring and pull it free from the ceiling mount.
Recessed lighting cans reside mostly in the attic space, with only the very tip of the light extending out into the living area. While this saves space in the home, it can create problems in the attic. Recessed lights are rated as either IC, which stands for insulation contact, or non-IC, which stands for non-insulation contact. As the name implies, non-IC lights should not touch insulation because of a potential fire hazard. If needed, remove insulation near these lights for safety.
Recessed lighting, often called canned lighting, is lighting that lies flush with the ceiling. It is low maintenance and effective because these lights can house LED light bulbs. This type of lighting comes in different sizes, which needs to be considered before installing the lighting. Lighting that is too large will make a room overly bright, while not enough lighting can make it hard to see. Bedrooms do not usually need special lighting, such as in an art studio, so basic lighting guidelines apply.
Converting a ceiling light fixture to a receptacle is as simple as removing a few screws and making a basic electrical wiring connection. You may use the same electrical wires to supply the receptacle that were supplying the light fixture. In many cases, you may even be able to mount the receptacle in the light fixture's electrical box. However, a replacement box may be needed.
Upgrading old recessed lighting with newer, more-efficient units can have a substantial impact on your utility bill. Removing an old recessed light from a soffit can be a challenge if you do not know how the unit fits together. Attempting to remove the light without following the correct sequence can cause serious damage to the drywall covering the soffit. You want to avoid this if replacing the soffit is not part of the renovation project.
The natural wonder of photosynthesis enables plants to use light energy to turn carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates and oxygen. Plants use the carbohydrates as food, while the oxygen byproduct benefits us all. While the sun provides a natural source of light, plants can also flourish under fluorescent lighting. This provides the opportunity for students and others to conduct photosynthesis experiments indoors using fluorescent lights.
Recent technologies have paved the way for illuminating walk-in freezers, appliances that preserve and store large quantities of food products. Walk-in freezers require lamps that are specially designed for freezing temperatures and illumination across large spaces. Generally, high-output and metal halide lamps are the most common and economical lighting used in standard walk-in freezers.
Floor and table lamps enhance living spaces with their decoration and illumination, but they take up space. Wall and ceiling lights save room, but still project fixtures into the room that may run counter to contemporary decor. Recessed lights disappear into a ceiling, saving both visual and actual space. If spaced correctly, they can light an entire room.
Unfinished basements can be dark, damp affairs, lit by a single bare bulb operated by a string hanging down from the ceiling. If you have a finished basement, your lighting options expand, including low-voltage luminaires with specialized housings.
Low-voltage lighting can be mounted underneath your upper kitchen cabinets to provide needed illumination to your countertops. Low-voltage lighting works off a transformer that is plugged into a regular wall outlet. Because the small fixtures attached to the transformer require low-voltage bulbs, these types of lighting systems may use less electricity than overhead lighting. Mounting and wiring your low-voltage lighting set does not require calling an electrician, as its installation can be accomplished by most do-it-yourselfers.
Orchid blossoms are delicate and exotic, with their tall, slender stalks and exquisitely-shaped petals. A majority of the 30,000 orchid species grow in tropical climates, but many species have adapted to thriving in colder parts of the world as well. As a general rule, orchids love a lot of light, and will grow high in trees to reach it. Unless you live in the tropics and can provide your orchids with 12 to 14 hours of intense natural light each day, supplementation with artificial light may be necessary. As a matter of fact, if you plan on growing orchids indoors,…
Recessed lighting consists of a light fixture installed into a base in the ceiling. It can give a modern appearance to home decor. Of course, this type of lighting may not match the style you want for your home. If you want to replace the recessed lighting with a new light fixture, remove it with a screwdriver and replace it.
Having a dropped ceiling in your home provides some advantages, including reducing your energy costs because there is less livable space that must be heated or cooled. However, using this style of ceiling in your home might be unappealing to you because it can give the room the feel of an office or other industrial setting. Removing the drop ceiling and lights can make your home feel larger by uncovering the section of the room that was previously concealed.
Recessed lighting, also called can lights, is embedded in a ceiling. This style of lighting has a simple and streamlined appearance, because there are no lampshades or bulbs hanging from the ceiling. Recessed lights can be used as general-purpose lighting. They can also be used to illuminate specific areas of a room, such as work areas, or to highlight special features such as artwork. Determining the correct amount and spacing of recessed lighting is important to achieving the right amount of light.
A properly insulated attic helps reduce household energy consumption by keeping hot air from entering your home through the ceiling during hot months and by keeping cold air from entering during cold months. Blowing insulation throughout the attic is relatively easy, but it must be kept away from heat sources such as chimney flues, air handlers and, especially, any recessed light fixtures that are not IC-rated (the IC is short for “insulation contact”). IC-rated fixtures have special cases that restrict heat transfer and can be covered with blown insulation without concern. For other recessed fixtures, you must take extra precaution.
Recessed lights, also referred to as can lighting, don't need to be centered in a room. The placement of recessed lighting can be staggered. Some can be used in front of the fireplace, while others can be placed just above adjacent seating. Part of your lighting layout will be influenced by your needs and preferences. The only real rule when it comes to the layout of your recessed lights is the space between each one; that is often determined by ceiling height.
Recessed lighting fixtures come with either an IC or non-IC rating. “Insulation Contact” means that the fixture is safe for use around insulation; non-IC fixtures are not. Older recessed lighting has a non-IC rating because excessive heat buildup can result in fires in the insulation. When replacing these recessed lighting fixtures, it’s best to opt for an IC-rated recessed light. Replacing the lighting is a smooth process, since they mount exactly like the older fixtures.
Manufacturers create recessed light fixtures to mount seamlessly to the ceiling or wall. A sagging recessed light is not only an unattractive lighting element, but it is also an indication of either poor construction or installation. A poorly constructed recessed light should be returned to the manufacturer, but if there is a problem with the light, often it is an installation issue. To ensure the recessed light is airtight, you must fasten the pieces tightly to an anchor strong enough to offer support, and make sure all fasteners and pieces are secured properly in place.
