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Tunable White LED Lighting – It’s a Game Changer

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So, What Exactly is Tunable White LED Lighting?

Tunable White LED Lighting is the competency to control a light source’s color temperature output. With the aid of an external control system or remote control, you determine the color of white among the available ranges.

A Lightbulb By Any Other Name

There are various names used that tunable dynamic white lighting is also referred to:

  • Hybrid White
  • Dim-to-Warm
  • Variable White
  • Circadian Rhythm Lighting
  • CCT Changing Led Strip Lights

Types of Light Fixtures

What types of light fixtures can be used with tunable white LED lighting?

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Creating ambiance with tunable white lighting

Tunable White Lighting is About More Than Color

Tunable white lighting is truly one of the most memorable and welcome changes in lighting technology in years. From a design and function perspective, it is quite innovative. From a health awareness and human-centered place, it is quite beneficial. Beauty, well, that’s the cherry on top!

Increase Productivity and Behavior Modification or Control

Our moods are impacted by many factors and the color temperature of lighting happens to be a big one.

Focus and productivity in classroom and office environments are often measured through the use of color temperatures studies have revealed. It affects concentration levels and the ability to adjust the lighting throughout the day can be greatly beneficial.

Our bodies respond differently to light transition. The brighter the light, the higher the concentration. The warmer the light, the more relaxed and calmer. This is great to keep in mind for kids in the classroom when returning from the gym or lunch returning to group exchanges and activities.

Mood Enhancer and Aesthetics

Our food experience is greatly enhanced through proper lighting. Warm and soft white lights provide an inviting candlelight ambiance; and turnable white lights, you can create that! A strategically lit room may encourage lively conversation or convey a relaxing atmosphere.

Aids Our Day-to-Day Human Function

Our circadian rhythm, more widely known as the 24-hour period of our body’s sleep/wake cycle is greatly affected by the temperatures of light color. From being alert to tempering down, tunable white lighting helps you have a more productive day and a better night’s rest.

Wide Range of Settings

Residents, board rooms, classrooms, medical facilities, retail establishments, restaurants, and offices are all ideal settings for tunable white LED lighting.

Game Changer Indeed!

Invite your residential or commercial electric company to introduce you to the many options this innovative technology affords – opening a whole new world of lighting possibilities!

For assistance with your tunable white lighting fixture(s) installation, call O’Grady Companies today at 301-822-1925. We are licensed and insured serving residential and commercial customers in the Frederick County, MD, MD, VA, and DC areas.

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Thinking Basement Build-Out? Consult the Pros

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What’s the Goal of Your Basement Build-Out?

Dreaming of finishing your basement? Kids moving out or moving back home? Mancave? Or dreams of a home theatre? Whatever the idea, whatever the plan for your basement build-out, O’Grady Companies, can help bring your project to light!

Where to Start

Finding a reputable contractor and subcontractors is the first and most important step on your basement endeavor. Do your homework by asking family and friends if they know of anyone. If so, be sure to look online for them as well; checking their reviews, website, history and more. It would be prudent to speak with more than one entity and to get a written estimate from each.

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Interior wall framing basement build-out

Be sure the contractor yo hire has the skills to take on your vision and fits your budget before signing any contracts or committing. Select someone that you know is familiar with the proper permitting and zoning regulations in your city or town and, can bring in specialists to handle any electrical and necessary plumbing work.

“Lights – Lights – Action”

A typical basement build-out starts with framing and ends with the proper flooring. Electrical is central to your project and it must be done properly to start so you are safe and have the lighting you’ve dreamed of and desired. Not only lighting – it’s the set up for your heating and cooling, ceiling fans, your audio, and more!

Since it is a basement, don’t skimp on the lighting – you’re going to need it! Better to have too many, than too little – so have a good lighting plan in mind! Think ‘atmosphere’ and design your electrical plan – sketch it out and have fun with it! Consulting with a reputable, local electrician is a wise choice too. They can provide tips and little known facts that you would otherwise not know.

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Bright ideas for your basement

Take note in your home where your switch plates are and then walk the basement or buildout area and take the placement of switches in mind. Something to definitely think about ahead of time.

Independence … It’s a Good Thing

Give heavy thought to having a separate, dedicated circuit strictly for your electronics and exercise equipment. It’s just added security against electric overload.

“A Must … I Want”

Make a list of the absolute ‘must haves’ and then the ‘I’d really like’. Then you can more clearly decide on what you’re able and willing to spend. Only then should you move forward and commit to a contractor. Once you’ve decided what you’re willing to spend, talk to a contractor. 

Be aware that it’s somewhat typical to spend 15% to 20% of your home’s value on a basement build-out. Don’t spend more unless you have plans to stay in your home for more than five years.

Let’s talk ROI

What is the value a finished basement will provide you in the future? Will it help you rent or sell your home? If not, investing funds in other parts of your home or property might be a wiser way to go – an overall better investment.

A Real Plus!

Basement, even finished ones, don’t typically add square footage to your home for the appraisal sake; they can, however, have a significant impact on the marketability of your home. A truly finished basement, with all the bells and whistles, recoups nearly 70% of its cost in positive resale value – not to mention years of enjoyment for you and your family!

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Recessed Lighting – To Have or Not-to-Have, that is the Question

recessed-lighting-living-room

Also referred to as pot lighting or can lighting, recessed lighting is typically mounted in the ceiling rather than surface mounted on the wall or celling.

Have a Plan and Be Informed

A lighting plan is a very important factor to consider when home building, remodeling, or renovating. Lighting sets the mood and affects your surroundings, so consider the environment you will plan to use with recessed lighting. Will it be task, accent or decorative or a combination of all three? Not only is functionality import, esthetics obviously are as well – sometimes even more so. Explore your options and be sure to consult with a certified electrical contractor or lighting designer to know what is feasible and what may not be when taking on a new home project. Having a basic understanding about the proper lighting you aim for will give you the confidence that you are making the right decision. You will no longer be in the dark about what is best for you and your home.

NOW WHAT

Prior to Choosing

Location, Location, Location

Don’t Veer Too Far from the Wall. When lights are located at a great distance from the wall where the beam angle may not meet the wall, it can give a darker, cave-like appearance due to darker walls. Having a wall-wash effect from recessed lights, brightens a room by properly lighting the wall space.

Too Much of a Good Thing

To avoid a room feeling too sterile or stark, make sure you have layers of lighting beside just having recessed lights. Recessed lights do provide ample effective and efficient light; however, adding other lighting sources, such as floor or table lamps, is a wise from both a design and practicality choice.

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Recessed lighting features in bathroom

No, Those Aren’t Bags Under Your Eyes

It’s just poor lighting perhaps. Recessed downlights naturally focus their beam of light downward; thereby causing undesirable facial shadows when placed above a bathroom sink and mirror area. This is especially the case if it is the only light source in the space. Having bathroom lighting that casts light from the side of the mirror and works with the recessed downlights, will balance things out, minimizing shadowing, and you will look much better and brighter!

‘Saturday Night Fever’

Be aware of the distance between ceiling fans and light fixtures. For these types of issues, your professional electrician is the hero here. Unless you’re a huge fan of the 70s, the ceiling fan and lights should be carefully considered. Ceiling fans hung too low or too close to the beam angle of can lights may cause a strobe effect as the blades rotate causing an on and off shadow.

Not to be Confused

Simply because one lighting fixture may be bigger than another – let’s say an 8-inch can vs. a 6-inch can – doesn’t mean it provides more light or is brighter. The amount of light is dictated by the lamp, the light source, and a said type of lamp will suit different light fixture sizes.

An Important Role

Lamps/bulbs used in recessed lighting has an important role in brightness

Bulbs play an important role. The bulb/lamp that’s used in recessed lighting has a significant role in the brightness, quality of light, angle of the beam, and the efficiency of the fixture. Deciding on the initial lighting fixture is only a part of the process – choosing the correct bulb/lamp to accommodate your lighting needs is the other half. Consult with your electrician or lighting designer with help on deciding the right lamp and fixture combination.

Best Laid Plans

A drawing, sketch, or blueprint of your actual ceiling showing the proposed layout of recessed fixtures is key to be able to visualize things in their proper place. Prior to actually going forward with the plan and cutting the holes, marking the fixture locations on the celling will be super helpful and ensure design and placement is done to your satisfaction.

Thinking about recessed lighting for your new home or renovation in Frederick, MD? O’Grady Companies has the experience and the skills to make your space beautiful and inviting! Let our licensed electrical contractors walk you through the process and give you great ideas to make the most of your vision and budget. Call for a consultation and estimate today!