JXT Company

 

 

 

 

 

Fluorescent lighting is now available in over 200 colors, ranging from the warm white tones of incandescent light to cool white tones similar to daylight. Energy-efficient fluorescents use one-fifth to one-third the electricity of a comparably bright incandescent bulb and last 10-20 times longer.

 

 

SWITCH YOUR SWITCHES
Dimmers allow you to reduce lighting when you don't need it, which saves both energy and light bulbs. Occupancy sensors turn lights off after you leave the room or shut the closet door -- even if you forget.

 

MOVE TO MOTION DETECTORS
These are great for outside lighting.  The light shuts off when not needed.

LIGHT IN LAYERS
Those lighting new homes for the first time might consider a less is more approach. Think of lighting in layers. Start with the spots where lights are most important -- where tasks are performed, like reading. Don't accent everything in the living room, just the important stuff. This allows a thinning of lights without the house looking dark and will save energy.

ADD CEILING FANS
They are economical and energy efficient, utilizing about the same energy as a 100 watt light bulb. Ceiling fans don't actually lower the temperature of a room like an air conditioner. But by spinning the air, they create a wind chill effect that makes you feel up to eight degrees cooler.  Running a ceiling fan costs about one cent per hour, or pennies/day, vs. the several dollars/day to run an air conditioner. Fans can be used alone or in conjunction with an air conditioner. When used with an air conditioner, the thermostat setting can then be raised, resulting in reduced cooling costs of 40% or more.

Simply raising a thermostat setting two degrees will save about 14% on energy consumption. Studies show that setting ceiling fans to spin in a counter-clockwise pattern, will save as much as 40% off summer cooling bills -- without sweltering. Simply set the thermostat a few degrees higher and flip on the fan.
In the winter, ceiling fans move warm air back to the center of the room, pushing it down from the ceiling and helping homeowners save as much as 10% on their heating bills. Simply switch the direction of the blades to spin clockwise and turn on the fan.

GET EXPERT ADVICE
The lighting specialists at JXT Company can help you compare light sources, choose bulbs and cut your energy costs.

 

 

 

FIRST STEP: A chandelier in the middle of the room defines the space. Choose that fixture first, then work out with accent lights.

HANGING AROUND: Choose a chandelier with a diameter 12" less than width of table. The bottom of chandelier should be 30" above table.

TALL ORDERS: For ceilings nine feet or higher, consider a two-tier style chandelier to fill the space from the fixture's top to the ceiling.

DIMMER SHIMMER: Always use a dimmer on dining room lights. Light becomes warmer as it is dimmed.

HOME WORK: For those who use the dining room as a study area, consider bringing in a portable study lamp to brighten up the workspace. Overhead lighting may work well for general studies, but in depth or close work demands more light.

GET SMART: So-called "smart" dimmers, driven by microprocessors offer convenience. When you have several layers of light, smart dimmers can be set to various ambiences. Press one button for dining, another for lighting up homework, another for party-time.

THE LAYERED LOOK: Use multiple layers of light in the dining room. Chandeliers provide the central focus. Accent lights on either side of the chandelier and at the room's perimeter brighten things up. Accessory lights on and/or over other furniture pieces fill in the background.

TABLE THIS: Table lamps add a soft, humanizing touch to a dining room. Display them on a buffet or breakfront.