Choose Your Technology

Part 3: Which Bulb Is For Me?

If you’re not using a dimmer, things are a bit simpler. Fluorescent and LED bulbs come in a variety of colors, represented by a number followed by the letter K. 2700K bulbs most closely resemble the light produced by an incandescent bulb. As the color moves toward 6500K, the light becomes cooler until it matches the quality of light you see outdoors at noon on a cloudless day. Both technologies last longer than incandescent bulbs: fluorescent by a few years, LED by a couple decades.

So how do you choose which to use? If you turn the light on and off frequently, you may prefer LED. Fluorescent bulb life is determined by how many times it is turned on; LED life is measured in hours. LED lights thrive in cold weather; fluorescent performance tapers off below 40⁰F. If the bulb is in a difficult to reach location or you just don’t want to worry about changing it, LED is the better option due to its longer life expectancy.

If your primary concern is budget, you may prefer fluorescent. The price of LED is dropping with every new generation of bulbs being developed, but it is currently still higher than that of fluorescent. LED uses very little energy, so when compared to other types of bulbs —which have to be replaced—over the same period of time, the total cost can be similar or even significantly less.

Both technologies have a variety of looks for their bulbs. Most CFLs are “curly” but you can also get them with a globe cover that looks more like an incandescent. There are endless looks for LED bulbs, but recent developments have allowed for some bulbs to use LED “filaments” so you can get clear or frosted bulbs that look and feel just like incandescent bulbs, but with less heat production and up to 90% energy savings!

A couple special notes about fluorescent bulbs: They do contain a small amount of mercury, so please return them to a collection point for recycling if possible. Also, if you don’t like the slight delay before a fluorescent bulb comes to full brightness, try “seasoning” it by leaving it on 3-4 hours or overnight. This gives the bulb time for its contents to distribute evenly, and should result in faster response time.

If you're still confused about bulbs, come down to our showroom! We're happy to answer questions and show you various bulbs work in person.

Go Green With Dimmers

Part 2: Going Green With Dimmers

If you’re ready to start looking at greener technologies, your main options are fluorescent and LED bulbs. Both types of bulbs have retrofit options that allow you to swap them out directly with an incandescent bulb.

If your lamp or fixture is currently being used with a dimmer, keep it in mind while selecting your new bulb. Most fluorescent bulbs are not dimmable, and those that are require a special dimmer switch. If you use a non-dimmable fluorescent with the wrong dimmer, you could start a fire. You can read more about that here. 

LED bulbs will be labelled as either dimmable or non-dimmable. If your bulb is not compatible with your dimmer it may flicker, strobe, buzz, or hum. Turn it off right away to avoid damaging the bulb! If your bulb is labelled as dimmable, consult its dimmer compatibility list (most likely found online) and replace your dimmer with a model that has been tested by the manufacturer.

Next time, we’ll discuss the aspects of fluorescent and LED bulbs that will help you decide which is right for you if you don’t need to consider a dimmer.

Evolution of the Bulb

A 3-Part Series

Things are changing so quickly in the lighting industry that you may feel you need a specialized degree just to replace a light bulb. Today we’ll be looking at incandescent bulbs.

The US started phasing out traditional incandescent bulbs in 2012. Many have been replaced by a 10-40% more efficient halogen bulb which looks and operates in a similar fashion. Because they contain a small halogen capsule instead of the familiar filament, you may have difficulty finding a halogen bulb with clear glass. You can still use any incandescent or halogen bulb with a dimmer. In fact, this is likely to extend the life of your bulb, as well as saving you money on your energy bill. For best performance, halogen bulbs should be run at full brightness for at least 15-20 minutes a week.

There’s no need to start hoarding bulbs. Several types of incandescent bulbs are exempt from the reform legislation, and those that are affected by the next wave of changes aren’t scheduled to be phased out until 2020. You can read more about the reform here.

Next time, we’ll talk about matching LED and fluorescent bulbs with dimmers. In part 3 of this series, we’ll compare the benefits of fluorescent vs LED without the use of a dimmer.

Remember, if you need a replacement bulb, you can always bring your original bulb down to Lighting Design by Wettstein’s and have a lighting consultant help you find the best match for you!

Welcome Home!

As fall approaches and the days get shorter, you are more likely to notice the effect of the outdoor lighting on your home. Ideally, exterior lighting will exude a welcoming feeling.

At a minimum, you should have a light at each exterior doorway. You can use recessed lighting in the eaves of your home for a clean appearance, or use a combination of wall sconces, hanging lanterns, and flush mount fixtures to complement the facade of your home. 

Exterior fans with or without lights can enhance porches and sunrooms. Patio and path lights can be used to extend your social spaces outdoors after sundown.

Choose your fixtures and bulbs carefully. Exterior fixtures are used mostly at night, so the bulb is likely to appear brighter than it would during the day. a too bright, unshielded bulb can cause a lot of glare.

Proper lighting can increase both safety and security. Facade and landscape lighting can reduce the likelihood of tripping on obstacles or uneven ground. It also makes your home less attractive to potential burglars, as they will be more easily seen. Fixtures at the front door should be situated to highlight visitors' faces for easy identification.

Updating your exterior lighting is a quick and effective way to increase your home's curb appeal and give it a more welcoming feel. Come in and explore your options today!

Beat the Heat with a Ceiling Fan!

Hatteras Bay by Kichler

At the height of summer heat, you may find yourself wondering, "How can I stay cool and keep my energy costs down?"

Central air conditioning consumes approximately 100 times more energy than a ceiling fan. Fans work by creating a "wind chill," lowering your perception of the temperature of the room by as much as 4 degrees. Each degree you raise your thermostat can save 1% on your energy bill. You can save even more energy by turning the fan off every time you leave the room.

So what should you look for when selecting a fan? The most important consideration is the pitch, or angle, of the blade. The number of blades makes no difference but the steeper the blade pitch, the more air the fan will move. We recommend a minimum of 12° pitch, with 14-16° being ideal.

How large is your room? The blade sweep, or width, of the fan should be appropriate for your room. An average size room will look good with a 52" fan. For smaller areas, fans are available as narrow as 15 inches! Larger rooms can use a single larger fan or two medium sized fans.

What kind of controls do you need? Many fans come with pull chains, others include a remote control. Most pull chain fans can be upgraded with a universal remote or a wall control, which is especially helpful if you have high ceilings.

Finally, you want to choose a fan that fits with your decor. You can choose a white fan to blend with your ceiling or a finish that coordinates with your furniture. Fans are available in many styles, including traditional, tropical, modern, and whimsical.

All of our regular priced fans and fan accessories are 25% off through the end of August. Stop in and let us help you find your ideal fan!

New Year, New Bulbs

Ringing in the New Year means more changes in the light bulb world for 2014. Starting January 1, the last of the federal government’s new lighting standards take effect. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 included new standards for manufacturers to make light bulbs more efficient and to reduce the amount of energy needed to power them. This third phase-out we’re about to see affects some 40 watt and 60 watt general service incandescent bulbs.

            What does that mean for you? Choices. Basically, there are three different bulbs that will replace the older, less efficient ones. Compact fluorescents (CFL’s), LEDs, and halogen-insert incandescent bulbs. At Lighting Design, we have several different ones to choose from, so it’s a good idea to come in and ask questions. The CFL bulbs have come a long way from when they first came into the market. The color is better, and the prices have really dropped. However, they are not the right choice if you are using a dimmer switch. LED bulbs are the most efficient, and with wattages of less than 9 watts, use very little energy. Still, although prices are dropping and the long term energy costs are better, a lot of people have a problem paying that much up front for a bulb. They are a great choice for applications like undercabinet lighting. The halogen-insert bulbs are probably the best “baby step” choice for most people. They cost a little more than traditional bulbs, but the brightness and color is very comparable. And although the lifetime of the bulb isn’t much longer, they are about 29% more efficient.

The new choices will result in us all reading labels, too. We’re all used to reading nutrition labels on food products, and now light bulb packaging includes a Lighting Facts Label. While we are looking for the most vitamins and nutrients for the least amount of calories when it comes to food, with bulbs we want more brightness for less energy used. The label gives you facts like brightness (lumens), estimated energy costs, life expectancy of the bulb, and light appearance or color. For example, if you are searching for a bulb with the warm appearance of an old-style incandescent, choose a bulb that is 2700 Kelvin. And if you’d like the same brightness of your 60 watt bulb, choose a bulb with around 800 lumens.

While there has been an outcry of “banning bulbs,” the truth is that it is not that extreme. The government won’t come to your home and take your away bulbs. They are simply requiring manufacturers to create better, more efficient bulbs for all of us. Considering the technology that we’re used to is over 130 years old, I would say it is probably time for a change.

Holiday Open House

 
It's that time of year again...Downtown La Crosse's Holiday Open House. Come join us this Friday, November 8, for extended shopping hours! We'll be open until 9:00 p.m.

We've gotten our showroom looking beautiful with our new Christmas accessories, and the tree is decorated and all lit up. Some people may complain that the festive season seems to come earlier and earlier every year. However, when you come downtown this Friday evening, you'll be doing yourself a BIG favor. 

First of all, we are so lucky to have a great downtown...filled with one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants. If you want to get some gift shopping out of the way, this is the place. No cookie-cutter presents here (unless you do want some truly unique cookie cutters, you can probably find those somewhere). And we just got in some really stylish (but whimsical) jewelry that you have to see!

Also, you know you'll be doing shopping at some point this season. You may as well do it in a place that's not so...well...frenzied. Have some fun...and refreshments, too. Remember that shopping should be an enjoyable experience. Our experts are always here to help you choose just the right lighting for your home...or gift for your loved one. 

Lastly, leaving things to the last minute is never a good idea. We'll help check off some items on your to-do list, while helping you stick to your budget. When you take the time to think things through, you won't end up just buying some generic gift at any price, the way you would by leaving your shopping until Christmas eve. 

We look forward to seeing you! 

P.S. We've still got turkeys! Buy any item $79 or more, and receive a free turkey! There is no limit on how many turkeys you can earn. Too many turkeys? We will gladly donate them to the Salvation Army of La Crosse. Hey, there's another reason to shop downtown -- to help a neighbor in need!