Everything You Need to Know About LED Lighting

In today’s home design industry, trends come and go just as they always have, but certain features seem to have staying power. LED lighting certainly falls into this category. Once LED bulbs hit the scene, their popularity skyrocketed and has not dropped-off since. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading the lighting in your house, now is a great time. As you read on, you’ll learn more about the perks of LED lighting and why you should choose it for your upcoming project.

 

The LED lighting is extremely energy efficient.

 

More homeowners than ever before are trying to go green when they remodel their houses. LED light bulbs are more energy efficient than any other bulb option. As a matter of fact, in regard to municipal usage, certain cities have found that they can save about 75% of their typical electric expenses simply by switching their street lights to LED bulbs. Imagine what will happen to your own residential electric bill by making this simple change!

 

LED’s last for many years.

 

Changing light bulbs is a pain, especially if you have high ceilings or a significant number of recessed fixtures in your home. LED bulbs virtually eliminate this chore, as they are generally rated to last for approximately 50,000 hours of use. To put this in perspective, CFL bulbs last about 8,000 hours, while traditional incandescent have to be replaced after around 1,200 hours. This alone is reason enough for many homeowners to considering making the switch to LED lighting throughout their residences.

 

LED lights are more customizable than other options.

 

One of the biggest perks of LED lights is that they allow for customized lighting schemes that are designed specifically to suit homeowners’ unique needs. They are easy to dim and brighten as needed, making them ideal to create different ambiances in versatile spaces, such as master bedrooms. They are also available in a variety of colors; some bulbs can even change from one hue to another. This is fun for kids’ playrooms and can add a unique touch in other types of spaces, like walk-in showers.

 

Here at Brunelli Electrician, we enjoy working with new residential clients who are interested in using LED lighting to change the overall look and feel of their homes. When you choose to work with our team, you will have guidance every step of the way as your home’s lighting scheme is put together. We can’t wait to hear from you and look forward to meeting you soon!

Top Lighting Trends for 2019

If you’re in the mood for something new in your home but aren’t ready to make big modifications yet, then consider making changes to your lighting. It’s a quick transformation that doesn’t have to break the bank and can make a huge difference. Here are the top lighting trends for 2019, to use as suggestions for any lighting improvements happening in your home.

 

Brass

Brass as a fixture material is very in for 2019. If gold is too much for you but you love the warm tone, consider brass. Unlacquered brass is the way to go – it will take on a lovely patina as it ages. If you do a little searching, you could find some really amazing vintage pieces in brass to brighten up your space.

 

Natural fibers

Lighting with natural fiber shades is very desirable this year. Woven wicker or rattan can either feel vintage or beachy, depending on the fixture and the vibe of the rest of the room. Another plus: natural fibers filter light in a soft, lovely way for a diffused feel for your space.

 

Sculptural

If form and function both appeal to you, consider going a more sculptural route in your lighting. These fixtures can be so much more than just a light source – they can be statement pieces that tell you what space is all about.

 

Indirect

In an opposite realm, lighting can also be subtle and hidden. Indirect lighting is a hot trend in 2019 if integrating your lighting with your space is something that is important to you. By tucking lighting under counters, behind mirrors, or along molding, you can light spaces without calling attention to just how you’re lighting it. Indirect lighting can feel soothing and bring calm to otherwise chaotic spaces.

 

Pendant

Especially in open-concept spaces, the pendant light can serve as an anchor. If you live in a loft or otherwise open space, consider using pendant lights to help create a sense of place. Pendant lights can either be bold, or more sensible, depending on your tastes.

 

Island chandelier

Island chandeliers are very current for 2019, and take the concept of the pendant light and turn it up a bit. If your kitchen features a stand-alone island, consider putting a large island chandelier above it to make space feel more complete. Don’t let the word “chandelier” fool you – these don’t have to be the formal crystal affairs of traditional chandeliers. Island chandeliers can take many forms but are often modern or industrial in feel.

 

Changing your lighting is an easy step toward making your space feel new again. Consider these six trends in indoor lighting in 2019 when shopping for your next lighting statement! Contact Brunelli Electrician for a free estimate!

What You Need to Know About Knob & Tube Wiring

If you’ve ever lived or worked in a house that was built between 1900’s and 1950’s, it’s very likely you’ve come across knob & tube wiring. Back in the day, this technology was considered a breakthrough for the electrical industry, but the norms and standards have evolved since then. Today, knob & tube wiring that has never been replaced or upgraded is considered unsafe. Old wiring can violate legal electrical codes and may decrease the value of your property.

 

So, what are the dangers associated with the outdated knob & tube wiring? First and foremost, knob and tube wiring consists of two separately stranded wires, that run through your walls and attic, but not through the ground. Knob and tube wiring runs through the open-air splices inside your walls under your insulation, yet there is no electrical box. This offers virtually no protection from electric shocks, overheating, or even igniting a fire. Additionally, the buildings with knob & tube wiring usually have an outdated insulation layer, and the circuitry may be impacted by plumbing or external water leaks, risking to shock the building’s occupants. Furthermore, older electrical systems didn’t carry high ampacity loads, and these extra loads that a modern home consumes might become a source of a full spectrum of electrical hazards. Over the years, if occupants wish to add more outlets to the house, electrical overvoltage is at a high risk of happening.

 

If you consider selling your property, make sure the original knob & tube wiring is replaced with a more modern solution, as it might cost you a potential sale. The reason is, home insurance companies will refuse to cover the homes with the outdated circuitry. If you are purchasing real estate with an outdated knob and tube wiring, make sure to negotiate an agreement where a seller would provide a licensed electrician to rewire a house as soon as possible.

 

Do not think of replacing knob and tube wiring on your own, an expert should inspect the condition of the wires, connections, devices like receptacles, switches, and overcurrent protection by fuses or circuit breakers. Because of the dangers involved, we urge you to contact Philip M. Brunelli Jr. master electrician to detect and correct all knob and tube wiring in your home or commercial business. Contact us today to get a quote for full knob and tube rewire. Having the peace of mind, knowing your electrical system meets the modern electrical code for safety, goes a long way.

 

Take a look at a recent knob & tube rewire we did:

 

Benefits of Installing a USB Outlet

Thanks to the popularity of smartphone technology and tablets, electronic charging devices all run by USB power ports. For years, many of us have had to plug our phones and tablets and other devices into converter devices that would connect to a traditional outlet, but times have changed. While there are many charging options, and all of them still work well, USB wall chargers are gaining more popularity than ever before.

USB outlets are small and accommodating, and the cables not only carry power but also data. They’re beneficial for smart grids, convenient storage, and even solar power. And they’re universal. The benefits are clear. Many people consider USB to be the future of electricity, and it’s easy to see why. But in case you aren’t sure yet, here are some major benefits of installing a USB outlet into your wall.

Convenience

While some rechargeable devices require you to wait until their battery is full again before using it, USB ports allow you to charge and use the device simultaneously. That’s pretty convenient. Some laptops and PCs have limited ports, reducing the options for using these methods. But a USB wall charger will allow you to make use of its functionalities anytime you need it. Also, many detached USB ports can be bulky, thereby covering up other unused outlets. You won’t have to worry about that with a wall charger.

Efficiency

Using a normal USB power outlet to charge your device through a laptop or desktop computer can provide you with a current of roughly 500 amps maximum. This could sometimes take a bit longer than plugging your device into a cord that connects to a traditional outlet – a not-so-convenient method sometimes. But having a USB wall outlet will allow you to charge faster with about 20 amps more than a desktop or laptop. This is especially beneficial to devices that are larger and have bigger batteries. The stronger current will allow for a minimal charging time of just a few minutes, making it much more efficient.

Durability

Because of their sleek and lightweight designs, many USB ports currently on the market are easily lost or damaged. But a USB wall charger is much more durable – it doesn’t go anywhere. Sometimes a home office might require several things to be plugged in at once, creating a potential fire hazard with several USB ports, which can become costly. The wall port will last you for years to come and is made of durable, quality materials.

If you need more information or assistance from a qualified technician who can install a USB wall outlet for you in the greater Franklin, MA area, get in touch with us today. Philip M. Brunelli Jr. has been a residential and commercial electrical contractor since 1997, and we’ve wired over 600 brand new homes locally and serve our customers, large and small. Our technicians are highly trained, respectful, timely, and guarantee satisfaction.  

office lighting

Does Your Office Lighting Need Improvement?

Many people do not understand the effect that lighting has on us. Our body clock is set by Circadian rhythms, which are determined by light and dark. This is why our body’s are accustom to sleeping when it’s dark out, and staying awake when it’s light out. If we are in a room that has poor lighting, our body naturally becomes tired. Good office lighting has been shown to improve productivity; which is why it is important to have suitable task lighting, ceiling lighting, and even wall lighting.

The intensity and type of light that we use during the workday can have a major impact on our health. It’s easy to understand why employees don’t want to be in a working environment that’s too dim; it can negatively affect worker productivity and the quality of work they produce.

Symptoms caused from poor lighting in the office include:

  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Eye strain
  • Watery or burning eyes

To find out if your office is suffering from poor lighting, ask your employees if they suffer from any of these symptoms. Do they find themselves squinting throughout the day in order to see things more clearly? Do they have a headache at the end of the day after staring at their computer screen? Maybe it’s time for your office to improve its interior lighting! Contact Phillip M. Brunelli Jr. Electrician today for more information on interior office lighting! 508-400-5571