Buying Guides

Light Bulbs Explained: How to Choose the Right Bulb Every Time

by admin · May 12, 2023

Though our homes may differ in paint schemes, furniture layouts, and decor, we have at least one thing in common: the lights in our homes influence all of that! The kind of bulbs we use can change the brightness, hue, and aesthetic of any room. Light bulbs affect energy efficiency at home and at work, not to mention interacting differently with our mood, health, and productivity. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of light bulbs, with tips to help you make the best choice for your wallet, aesthetic and safety.

1. Incandescent: The Original Bulb

Incandescent lights are the most traditional form of light bulb and are based on technology developed by Thomas Eddison. The electricity passes through a filament, causing it to burn and give off light.

Incandescents are more expensive in the long run because they are not energy efficient compared to fluorescent or LED options. Why? The method of heating a filament in an incandescent bulb produces much more heat than light, wasting most of its energy consumption.The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act reformed the incandescent market by creating a minimum standard for incandescent energy efficiency, but even still, fluorescent and LED lights are much more energy efficient.

Incandescent lights come in a variety of colors and work with dimmer switches. Their design allows for more variation in style, and they’re typically more aesthetically pleasing than other options. This makes them a popular choice for easy-to-see places, like in lamps and hanging from low ceilings.

Incandescent bulbs also do well in easily-accessible locations, since they have the shortest lifespan of all the bulb options and burn an average of 1,000 hours. Incandescents are also good for spaces that don’t use light often, like closets and garages.

As for pricing, incandescent bulbs are typically the cheapest of bulb options. Most incandescent bulbs range from $.70 to $1.50 per bulb.

2. LED: Best for Customization

LED stands for “light-emitting diode”. Simply put, they’re microchips that glow as electricity passes through them. Because there’s no exhaustible filament burning in LED lights, they don’t actually die or burn out. They simply dim over time, and are considered replaceable once they emit 70% of their original light.

This unique design makes LED’s up to 90% more efficient than incandescent bulbs, with the average LED lasting up to 25,000 hours. LED circuitry still gives off a good amount of heat, but it is processed through a type of heat sink common to microchips. If the heat sink does happen to malfunction, your LED may not last for its expected lifespan.

Additionally, the microchip design allows for customization in size and grouping. Lights can be easily lined up in a strip, or grouped in clusters for a bulb-like configuration. They also glow in every conceivable color, a feature that allows for further customization and creative flair.

Beyond adding flair and personality, LEDs add functionality and value. Simply adding LED strips under kitchen cabinets or along a dark stairway brightens an otherwise shadowed space. LED bulbs are commonly used as smart bulbs, in conjunction with smart home assistants like Google Home and Alexa. They’re a smart, energy-efficient choice for any home or workspace.

LED bulbs average around $8 per bulb, and strip lighting (depending on length and color of strip) ranges from $20-$50.

3. Fluorescent: Easy Choice for Large or Commercial Spaces

The original fluorescent light bulb, shaped like a long tube, often lights offices and commercial spaces. Fluorescent bulbs use a gas and a filament combination, like argon and tungsten, to emit a glow. They are much more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs, consuming 75% less energy. Fluorescents also have a longer lifetime than incandescent bulbs, estimated between 6,000 and 15,000 hours.

Fluorescent lights do contain small amounts of mercury, but as long as the bulbs remain intact, they’re perfectly safe. When it’s time to dispose of old bulbs, contact your local waste management for local guidelines and keep them away from the reach of children.

Expect each fluorescent tube to cost $2-3.

4. CFL: Energy-efficient Home Upgrade

CFL bulbs, or compact fluorescent lamps, are a condensed version of fluorescent lights. It’s similar technology, with the electricity activating a gas such as argon. The difference, however, is that these don’t have a filament— instead, the argon interacts with a fluorescent coating called phosphor to produce visible light. These bulbs are largely replacing incandescent bulbs in the shift for green homes.

CFL bulbs can last anywhere from 6,000 to 15,000 hours of use, making them 6-15 times more efficient than incandescent options. They come in a variety of shapes, and if the bulb is tinted, they can even come in a variety of colors.

Generally these bulbs will be about $5.50 to about $10 each. While they’re more expensive than incandescent options, the price is typically offset by their much longer life.

5. Halogen: Best for Headlamps and Flood Lights

Halogen bulbs produce light through a heated filament, similar to incandescent bulbs. However, the filament in halogen bulbs is surrounded by a tiny tube of pure glass (quartz). This tube is filled with a halogen gas, and when the filament emits wasted energy, the halogen gas returns it to the filament. This recycled energy causes the filament to live much longer than those used in incandescent lights.

Unfortunately, halogen bulbs still create a large amount of heat, resulting in wasted energy. Though their lifespan is significantly longer than incandescent, they still only last about 2,000 hours.

Halogen lights are commonly used in vehicle headlamps, outdoor floodlights or to light workspaces. If you choose to use these elsewhere, be aware that they generate significant heat and could affect the temperature of small areas.

Expect each bulb to cost between $6 and $12.

6. HID: Great for Street Lamps

HID stands for “high intensity discharge”. These bulbs function by passing electricity in an arc between two metal points, aided by a gas like xenon, which glows in reaction to the electricity. They produce strong, long lasting light, but are typically restricted to street lighting or warehouses because of their orange hue and intensity. HID bulbs are also used in headlights at times, and usually clock in at about 2,000 hours.

These are a great option for outdoor spaces, or in places where nighttime safety is a concern. HID bulbs range in price from about $14 to $21.

How Will You Light Your Space?

You know your space better than anyone, and now, you know a lot more about light bulb technology! When deciding which bulb is best for you, consider the details of your space. Is it residential or commercial? Indoor or outdoor? How much do you value aesthetic, energy efficiency, or purchase price? There are plenty of right choices, and at Super Lite we’re happy to discuss all possible options. Give us a call and let our lighting experts make your project easier.

Choosing the Perfect Ceiling Fan

by admin · Mar 17, 2023

When carefully chosen, a unique ceiling fan will add to your home’s beauty, value, and ultimately save you money. Whether you are shopping for your first fan or you’re updating an old-fashioned relic, the process can be enough to make anyone’s head spin. Fans should be functional as well as attractive, but it’s easy to get buried in all of the expert recommendations and lighting lingo. If you give up and just pick the first fan you see that matches your room, you could be setting yourself for disappointment. Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind when searching for the perfect fan to complete your space:

Location

Before you do anything, you need to decide which areas in your home need better airflow and temperature control. Every house has a room or two that’s always hotter than the rest of the house! Also, consider putting a fan in the spaces where you entertain. When you have guests over it’s nice to be able to get the air moving to keep your guests comfortable.

Looking for outdoor fans? Pay attention to the rating. Wet rated fans have a special coating to help avoid water damage and rust. If your fan may come in direct contact with ocean spray, rain, or snow, a wet rated fan is what you need. Damp rated fans aren’t meant to come in direct contact with water, so they’re better suited to covered patio areas.

Outdoor fans can be used anywhere, but you should never hang an indoor fan outside.

Size

Once you’ve picked the perfect spot for your fan, take a look at the size of the space it needs to cool. Is it for a smaller space like a bedroom, or a larger area like a living room with vaulted ceilings? If your fan is too large, it will overpower your room and make it feel like you’re in a wind tunnel. If it’s too small, it won’t be able to move the air in the room, which will leave you disappointed.

Ceiling fans are measured by the diameter of the blades, and there are a couple of ways you can figure out which size is right for you. The first option is to measure the longest wall in the room.

Wall Length	Fan Size
12 ft or less	36 in or less
12-15 ft	40-48 in
15 ft or more	52 in or more

The second option is to calculate the square footage of your room. Most manufacturers have recommendations right on the box based on square footage, so you’ll definitely want to know that number!

Square Footage	Fan Size
Up to 100 sq. ft.	18” – 42”
100 – 225 sq. ft.	42” – 52”
225 – 400 sq. ft.	52” and up
Over 400 sq. ft.	Multiple fans

Height

The next step is to find the perfect height to hang your fan, and it all depends on the height of your ceilings. So grab a friend and pull out that tape measure!

If you have high, vaulted, sloped ceilings, you’ll need a downrod fan. A downrod is the metal bar that separates a ceiling fan from the ceiling itself. It’s purpose is to move the fan to the sweet spot in a room where it can circulate the air the most effectively.*

Ceiling Height	Downrod Length
10 ft	12 in
11 ft	18 in
12 ft	24 in
13 ft	36 in
14 ft	48 in
15 ft	60 in
16 ft	72 in

*If your ceiling fan includes a light kit, reduce the length of the downrod by 12”

For more standard, 8-10 foot ceilings, you should look into a flush mount ceiling fan, often called a hugger. It does just what it sounds like: hugs the ceiling so the blades stay safely above the average person’s head.

Light Kit

Most – but not all – ceiling fans come with a light kit, making it a multi-purpose fixture. The blades circulate air and the light kit provides ambient light. If you’re replacing a light fixture with a ceiling fan, double check your fan to make sure it comes with lights so that you don’t end up in the dark!

Style

Now that you’ve laid the groundwork, you’re ready to find your fan. Ceiling fans are a lot harder to swap out that throw pillows, so it’s really important to pick out a fan that matches your style! Here are some things to consider:

1. Light shades: This is the hardware that covers the bulbs on the light kit. Some shades are clear, providing ample light, while others have a more frosted look to soften to the glow. They come in a wide variety of shapes and styles, so don’t be afraid to ask around if you don’t immediately see something you love at our showroom!. Our lighting experts can get you pointed in the right direction quickly so that you don’t have to waste hours of your life comparison shopping online!

2. Blades: Fan blades come in a variety of finishes, including black, white, natural, oak, etc. Many fans have double sided blades, so that you can try both options in your space and choose the one you like best.

3. Hardware: Fan housings and hardware typically come in metallic hues like brushed nickel, chrome, bronze, or a painted color like black or white. Take a look at the other finishings in your room – if the handles and doorknobs in your room are silver, you probably won’t want gold hardware on your fan. Similarly, a sleek fan with black blades and chrome hardware would feel out of place in a country cottage.

If you see a fan that you love but the finishes are off, don’t be afraid to ask! Many ceiling fan models are available in more than one set of finishes.

Efficiency

Did you know that an inefficient ceiling fan will cost you money on your electric bill every month? To avoid this costly mistake, consider these tips:

Look for Energy Star rated fans. These fans can use up to 20 percent less energy, helping you reduce your energy bill.
Think airflow. An underpowered fan will need to be left on at all times to keep a room cool. An overpowered fan will use more energy than you need. Make sure your fan is properly sized for your space.
Change the blade direction. Nearly every ceiling fan will have a small switch near the blades that will change which direction they spin. In the summer, run your fan counterclockwise. This pushes air downwards, which creates a cool breeze in the room. In the winter, run your fan clockwise. This pulls air upwards, which pushes the warm air trapped near the ceiling back down into the room.

Finding the right fan doesn’t have to be a headache. If you follow these steps, you can feel confident in knowing that you are choosing the best ceiling fan for your room.

Come on in and see us! You can check out your new fan in person before you take it home to make sure it’s exactly what you want! And our lighting specialists are happy to help you with any step along the way, from choosing to installing the perfect ceiling fan for your home.

Smart Lighting 101: 5 Top Tools to Upgrade Your Smart Home

by admin · Mar 13, 2023

Everyone talks about “smart homes,” but what does that really mean? While smart assistants are often the foundation of any smart home, they aren’t truly smart on their own. Smart lighting is another essential element of your smart home. It includes a wide range of electrical products that use software to interface with your smart hub to give you enhanced control, function, and flexibility of your lights.

We know it can be overwhelming sorting through all of the options available to you as you build your smart home. So, we put together this quick guide to some of the most popular smart lighting tools to help you get started!

Special note: Before you go out and purchase any smart light accessories, remember to check for compatibility. Each smart lighting tool is programmed to work with one or more smart home hubs or apps, like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomePod, etc. It will be much easier to keep track of everything if you can control them all from the same place!

Smart Bulbs

Smart bulbs are a great way to get the most out of your lighting. Smart bulbs are often color-changing or range in temperature. These bulbs will work with most standard lamps and light fixtures.

Smart bulbs are typically LED bulbs and are also energy- and heat-efficient. In addition, they have a long life and are safer than fluorescent bulbs since they use a microchip instead of gas to create their glow.

Smart bulbs can range in price, averaging at $7-$15 a bulb.

Smart Plugs and Outlets

You don’t have to change all your bulbs to get the benefits of AI and voice activation. Instead, you can plug your lamps into a smart plug or swap out the entire outlet! This will allow you to use multiple light fixtures or devices in the same place.

Smart plugs simply plug into your existing outlet as an extension. Then you plug your lamps or other devices into the smart plug, and you’re ready to go!

Smart outlets take a little more work to install, but it’s definitely within DIY reach. While specific installation steps will vary slightly by your smart outlet choice– the basic installation steps are the same. Check out this YouTube tutorial to get a good idea of what you’ll need to do!

Special note: Always be sure to follow the brand-specific installation instructions that come with your device.

Smart plugs and outlets range from about $15 to $30 each.

Smart Switches

Try replacing your dumb light switches with something smarter! Smart light switches help you to click through programmed light scenes so you can switch from day to night to entertaining light scapes at the touch of a button.

Installation is as simple as swapping your current light switch for the next. Check out this YouTube video for a quick and safe installation.

Expect to pay $25 to $45 amount for your smart switch.

Smart Bulb Bases

Another way to keep your existing light bulbs but enhance smart features is to add a smart base to your light bulb. Simply unscrew the light bulb, screw the new base on, and reinsert it into the light fixture. Now your bulb’s power is controlled by the base instead of relying on the light switch!

Smart bases won’t enable features to a bulb that isn’t designed for dimming, temperature, or color changes. But it will allow you to incorporate AI, voice activation, and remote reach from anywhere with your phone.

You’ll likely pay between $15 and $30 for a smart bulb base.

Smart Lighting Kits

Skip the hassle of buying individual tech with a smart lighting kit. These kits include several bulbs and other pieces of tech to get you started for a discounted price.

These kits range anywhere from $60 to $200, depending on your selected bundle.

Need Help Creating Your Smart Home?

Proper lighting is essential to a fully functioning home– but it can be challenging to nail balanced brightness, great fixtures, and a budget! Contact the experts at Super Lite for advice on your project!

Upgrading Your Lighting on a Budget

by admin · Mar 11, 2023

All the Tips, Tricks, and Secrets You Need to Make Your House Shine on a Dime

If it’s been a while since you redecorated, your current home decor probably isn’t speaking to you anymore. When you’re short on time, updating the lighting is one of the fastest ways to make your home look, well, brighter. But, when you’re on a budget, replacing everything in the house just isn’t the right call. The good news is – you don’t have to! Here’s a few easy, creative, and budget-friendly ways to make your home feel bigger and brighter… without breaking the bank.

1. Swap Your Light Bulbs

Many people blame an old fixture for their lighting woes, when really it’s the bulbs to blame. Try swapping out your old bulbs with a fresh set of brighter LED bulbs!

While LED lights may cost more upfront, they use at least 75% less energy – which means they can give off more light and use less power. They also last up to 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs, so they’ll last for years before they need to be replaced.

2. Do it Yourself

The cost of lighting installation can eat away at your budget quickly, but it can reduced if you’re willing to do a little research and put in some work. Installing lighting yourself can give you some extra cash to get lights you love.

Before tearing out any fixtures, educate yourself on the proper safety precautions! If you’re unsure about doing it yourself, don’t forget to budget for the professional help you’ll want!

3. New Shades, New Me

If your light fixture comes with shades – whether they’re glass, fabric, or metal – you might be in luck! Did you know you can replace the shades or globes on most fixtures that have them? A new set of shades is WAY cheaper than buying an entirely new light fixture, and it will make just about any fixture feel brand new again! With a like-new fixture, your space will match your style, leaving you (and your wallet) feeling happier.

4. Refinish Your Fixture

Another alternative solution to buying a new light is changing the finish of your existing fixture. With a little rub n’ buff and a handy youtube tutorial, your light will look totally different! This may need some touching up down the road, but when you need a quick fix to get you by until you can invest in a higher-quality fixture, a little DIY magic can help stretch your money. A little finish can take your fixture from outdated to updated while keeping your budget happy.

5. Mirror, Mirror

In our opinion, quality lighting makes the biggest difference in a home, but adding mirrors can also increase light–if they’re well-placed. Hanging a mirror near a light or window can help reflect light, making the space look brighter and bigger. That reflected light can go a long way in lighting up a dim room!

6. Focal Point Focus

Another way to make your space look upscale is picking a more expensive light to be a focal point, while adding other less spendy lights to light up the room. The eye will be drawn to the focal point and won’t notice anything else! To start, install a chandelier to draw attention away from any existing recessed lights. Throw in a floor lamp where you need some extra lighting and–voilà! Your eye will be drawn to the chandelier, but the room will still be beautifully lit.

7. Add Lamps, Lamps, and more Lamps!

When in doubt, add a lamp! They’re cheaper, require little to no installation, and are a great design piece. Tabletop lamps make great decor for your tablescape and can light up a workspace. Floor lamps create a homey conversation area in a living room. Lamps are a super versatile, budget-friendly option to give just the touch of light you need.

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We know that when you’re on a budget, every penny you spend matters! To be sure you’re spending all of them wisely, give us a call! We’ll match you with the best lighting solution for your budget and save you money so that you can get lights you love.

Top Tips to Lighting Every Room of Your Home

by admin · Feb 27, 2023

Many homeowners fall into the trap of relying on paint and mirrors to lighten up a room. While these are tricks that work, they’re just bandaid fixes that ultimately limit your design options. One of the best ways to make your house a home is to have great lighting in each room. And just as every room has a different function, and they all have their own lighting needs.

Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds! Getting the best lighting set up is almost always a simple undertaking, and this is something that can be done on any budget.

Set aside some time to do a tour of your home, looking specifically for places where your lighting just isn’t doing you any favors. To help you out, we created a checklist you can use to find what’s missing.

Front Exterior
Entry
Living Room
Kitchen
Dining
Bathrooms
Office
Bedroom
Backyard

Front Exterior

The front of your house carries a lot of weight. It’s what you drive up to, what your friends and family see first, and plays a big role in your relationship with your neighbors. It also is the first line of defense against intruders. If your curb appeal is lacking, look for these things:

A well-lit door: What’s better than coming home to warm, golden light washing over your front door? If your exterior feels dim or dingy, you’d be surprised at how dramatic a transformation you’ll get when you replace the fixtures by your door.
Sidewalk lights: Keep you and your visitors safe with sidewalk lights leading to and from your home. They also add a little fairy light magic to your home!
Motion sensor flood light: Any motion sensing light is a great way to increase your home’s safety. Flood lights are an added bonus, as sudden bright light usually scares off intruders – whether human or pest.

Entryway

Crossing the threshold is an important moment. When you walk through the door, you’re looking for a place to relax and be yourself after work, running errands, or shuffling the kids to activities. Your entryway sets the tone for your home for you and your for your guests – don’t skip out on the lighting in here!

Buffet table catch-all: Use a lamp on a buffet table to make it easier to take off shoes after a late night. Small space? Use reflective finishes to add some extra light.
Smart lighting for smooth entry: Smart bulbs can be set to a schedule to keep your entryway ready at all times. Some can even turn on automatically when you arrive, or respond to voice commands when your hands are full.
Wall/Ceiling Lights: If your entryway feels to dim or too harsh, try swapping out the bulbs in your fixtures with LEDs with a different lumen count (measures brightness) or a different light “temperature”. (Warm/soft white bulbs make you feel cozy and comfortable, and bright/daylight bulbs will make you feel alert.) Some smart bulbs can even switch back and forth with the help of a small remote or a smart home hub.

Living Room

Your living room is the hub for comfy entertaining and family relaxing. You need it to be well-lit but still cozy. Consider these:.

Ditch boring fixtures: You living room is a great place to choose more decorative fixtures. Find something that speaks to your soul and swap it out. It’ll instantly boost your mood every time you walk into the room!

Mood lighting: Nail mood lighting by making sure you have light coming from more than just a single overhead light. Lamps and sconces shine a quiet, cozy light when the main light is off – perfect for a relaxing evening at home.

Media lighting: Movie nights are core memories – but staring at a screen in a dark room is hard on your eyes. For the film aficionados and gamers alike, we recommend either backlighting your TV with an LED strip light or keeping a couple of dim lamps around.

Kitchen

Your kitchen is the heart of the home, used for both focused work and for entertaining. That means you need to pay close attention to light layering so you can quickly flip from one function to another.

- Task lighting: Bright lights are necessary for safe cooking! Light your countertops with island pendants and LEDs under cabinets lights to improve your accuracy while dicing and sauteing.
- Dimmable lights: Late night snack turned heartfelt conversation with cocoa? Install dimmable lights so you can create a space for more intimate moments that’s away from harsh lighting.

Light up your cabinets: Want to make your cabinets look high-end without high-end work? Use LED strip lights inside glass-fronted cabinets for a curated look, or put LED pucks on top of the cabinets to reflect light upwards and make the room feel bigger.

Dining Room

Have you ever noticed that most restaurants are pretty dark? That’s because people talk more, eat slower, and stay longer in a relaxed atmosphere. Recreating this ambiance in your home is sure to make your meals more enjoyable.

Comfy Cozy: Use warm bulbs in your fixtures to create a cozy vibe. Look for bulbs that say “soft white” or that are less than 3000K. If it’s in the budget, swap out that flush mount light with a chandelier or pendants light-filtering shades to wash your space with soft, warm light.
Try candles: Adding candles is a quick and easy way to soften the space and increase the feeling of closeness. For apartment dwellers or those with young children, battery-powered candles are a great flameless alternative.
Keep it separate: If your dining room is close to your kitchen, turn off the kitchen lights once you’re ready to eat so that your dining table is the center of attention.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms play multiple roles, so they need to have clever lighting. On the one hand, they are “get ready central,” where true light is critical to having great makeup and a clean shave. But, on the other hand, they are also a relaxation hub, where harsh lights won’t help.

Bright lights for mirrors: Replacing the light above your mirror is a fast and simple project that will make a huge impact on both the functionality and overall appearance of your bathroom. Use bright, cool lights for the best makeup application and cleanest shave.
Warm light for relaxation: Use warm light over tubs or showers to help you relax in the water after a long week. No lights over the tub? A warm night-light or set of LED candles will give you the same feeling!
Use multiple light switches: You can easily custom control the lights for each activity.

Home Office

Spending a lot time in the home office these days? Your office lighting impacts the quality of your work, so take a minute to assess what you need to do your best.

Update your overhead lighting: Get rid of that builder-grade light and put in a cool chandelier or pendant to jumpstart your creativity.
Modern deks lamps: Make sure you have plenty of light for your workspace with a great lamp. If you’re on video calls often, try shining the light on the wall in front of you rather than directly on your face – it’ll bounce back and give a softer light that’s easier on your eyes.
Create a designated recharge area: Set aside a corner in your office to take a few breaks during the day. Get a comfy chair and soft lighting so your brain can rest and recharge between meetings.

Bedrooms

Your bedroom is your place to relax, unwind, and get a full night’s rest. However, the lighting in your room will significantly impact your ability to shut off your brain and get deep into that REM sleep.

Prepare for rest: Blue light (like the light from daylight LEDs and from phone or TV screens) will keep your brain awake, so avoid blue light sources for 1-2 hours before bed. Use soft, warm light bulbs only in your room!
Be careful with tech: We’re strong believers in mood lighting – but those tiny LED lights on power cables, alarm clocks, speakers, etc. are not it. Remove what you can, and cover the rest with dimming stickers.
Lighting you feel: Focus on how you feel. Swap out old fixtures or lamps that you don’t love with something that you’ll enjoy seeing every night. Too warm? Replace your overhead light with a ceiling fan so you can rest comfortably.

Pro tip: It’s okay to use brighter, whiter lights in your closet so you have a place to check the true colors of your outfit before you head out for the day.

Backyard

Once you’ve walked through each room, don’t forget to check your outdoor space! Whether it’s a big suburban yard or a small 5th floor balcony, it should be a great place to spend long summer nights while keeping you and your family safe.

Bring the magic: Fairy lights or string lights feel like a luxury, but they’re actually really affordable and easy to hang. They’ll bring a little bit of magic to your nights whether it’s an evening party with friends or a backyard campout with the kids.
Proper lighting for activities: Make sure your yard has adequate lighting for all of the ways you use it. Install flood lights in active areas like basketball hoops. Put in a row of solar path lights along walkways.
Exterior lights: If your patio is too dim, it might be an easier fix than you realize. Replace that tiny, old wall sconce light with a modern fixture. If you need lots of light – opt for a fixture with multiple bulbs and/or clear glass.

Don’t Stress It

Great lighting is an essential part of a well-designed and a fully functioning home – but it can be challenging to nail balanced brightness, great fixtures, and a budget! The biggest thing to remember, TL;DR of it all is that you need to have multiple sources of light in each room. Lamps and smart bulbs are your friend!

If you want some help getting it right, contact the experts at Super Lite for advice on your project! Lighting is what we do – so we’re not going to toss you the closest box off a shelf and say “have at it!” If you’re not happy with your home’s lighting, we’ll help you find what’s right for you.

How Many Light Bulbs Do You Need? Understanding Lumens

by admin · Feb 23, 2023

Are you updating your light bulbs, but not sure how bright you need them? Or how many bulbs your room needs?

You’re not alone in the confusion. It can be difficult reading the package in the hardware store and understanding what the bulb will do for your home.

This post will briefly touch on how lumens work and then guide you on how to make sure you have the right light for each room in your house.

What Are Lumens?

With major innovations in lighting over the past twenty years, bulbs have become much more efficient. That’s great news for your electric bill and the environment! But a side effect is that watts are no longer a good measurement for brightness.

Watts measure the amount of energy used by the bulb. When all bulbs were incandescent, this also indicated brightness– the higher the watts, the more energy used, the brighter the bulb.

But with more efficient bulbs, like halogens and LEDs, much less power is used while still producing bright light. So a 40 watt incandescent light gives off the same light as an 8 watt LED!

So how will shoppers know that an 8 watt LED will replace their 40 watt incandescent? Instead of measuring power use, lumens measure brightness. Now no matter the energy efficiency, you can compare bulbs apples to apples.

How Many Lumens Do I Need?

So how many lumens do you need for your space? To calculate the right lumen range, you need to know the square feet of the space and the proper foot candles for the area.

The square footage of your room will help you know how much light you need– the bigger the space, the more light you need. To find out your square footage, simply measure the length and width of the room, then multiply those two numbers.

For example, if your room is 10 feet by 12 feet, your room is 120 square feet (10×12=120).

“Foot candle” is a less familiar term, but it means the brightness of a light source from one foot away. The target foot candle range will depend on the activity of the room. For workspaces like kitchens and offices you’ll want more light (more foot candles), and for bedrooms and dining rooms you’ll want less light (fewer foot candles).

Once you have the square feet of your room and the target foot candles, then you can determine how many lumens you need. Simply multiply your square feet by the desired foot candles!

Let’s say that your bedroom is 120 square feet. Multiply 120 by 10 for the low end and by 20 for the high end of the target zone.

120 x 10 = 1200

120 X 20 = 2400

Now you know that you need between 1200 and 2400 lumens for your bedroom!

Simple Cheat Sheet

If you don’t want to worry about foot candles, here’s a chart with a general estimate of how many lumens you need per square foot per area of your home. Remember, these calculations help determine the total light a room needs. But you’ll often concentrate light above tables, countertops, or a desk.

So if your living room is 15 feet by 20 feet, your total square footage is 300 (15 x 20 = 300). Then multiply that by the recommended 10 lumens to get a minimum of 3,000 lumens for your living room (300 x 10= 3,000).

How Many Bulbs Do I Need?

It may seem overwhelming to need a few thousand lumens for your room. Don’t worry– you will still use relatively few bulbs to get all the light you need. For reference, an 8 w LED bulb will give off about 450 lumens of light.

With just a few bulbs, you’ll have all your lighting covered. Put three in the ceiling fan, add a lamp with one bulb, and you’re done!

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Ceiling Fan Debate: AC vs DC Motors

by admin · Feb 10, 2023

Looking for a cheap way to keep yourself cool this summer? We can’t vouch for that blowup pool in the backyard, but we do know that ceiling fans are a great way to bring down your body temperature without hurting your utility bill.

There are plenty of ways to select a fan—its look, size, style, light output, and more. One nitty-gritty consideration is the type of motor you want in your fan. It may seem like a small detail, but motor type affects the bulk and efficiency of the fan. Here’s our expert insight on AC and DC motors.

AC Motors Connect Directly to Wiring

AC stands for Alternating Current, and it’s the most common motor type for ceiling fans. It’s also the most common motor type for any household appliance! AC motors connect directly to the supplied wiring and power the fan by controlling the frequency of the current.

DC Motors Connect a Transformer to Wiring

DC stands for Direct Current. DC motors have a transformer that connects the supplied wiring and converts it to direct current, which then powers the fan. We won’t get into all the technical details, but the transformer is smart and allows for extra energy efficiency.

AC: Pros and Cons

Here’s a quick visual, and then a breakdown of advantages and disadvantages. This Discus Fan has an AC motor, so you’ll note that it’s still very aesthetically pleasing but has a little more bulk than the DC motor fan you’ll see next. Most people don’t mind the extra size, but it’s something to consider for style and functionality.

Advantages of AC Motors

Very cost-effective
Reliable
Accessible and commonly used
Functions without an AC connector

Disadvantages of AC Motors

Slightly less energy efficient than DC motors
Extra bulk for bigger motor
More noise than DC motor fans

DC: Pros and Cons

This Maverick Fan is an example of a DC motor. It is sleeker because of the small motor, and adds an extra clean look to any fan.

Advantages of DC Motors

More energy efficient than AC
Very quiet while running
More powerful but uses less electricity
Often has more speed options than an AC fan
More compact size

Disadvantages of DC Motors

Usually more expensive than AC motor fans
Requires an AC connector

Finding Your Perfect Fan

You know your needs better than anyone. Whether you prefer long-term energy efficiency, lower purchase price, or a quiet motor, AC and DC fans both have a lot to offer. Fans are one of the cheapest ways to keep cool in the summer, and even less-efficient AC motors consume significantly less energy than an air-conditioner or washing machine.

For any questions about motors, models, fans, or anything else, Super Lite is here to make every season the best it can be. Check out our catalog or call us with questions!

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