You’ve probably been thinking of ways that you can improve your basement lighting with a remodel. You’ve probably thought about waterproofing, finding ways to improve the laundry room flow, or whether or not you should go all out and build it into a man cave. But you might not be investigating the best basement lighting. It’s easy to overlook lighting, but it can make an enormous difference in a dark basement.

Saving Space

Lamps can add more light to your remodeled basement, but they’re not the most space saving idea. Plus, if you turn your basement into a rec room, do you really want to worry about lamps that could be knocked down? Lamps will also take up valuable power outlets that you could utilize for your entertainment equipment. Recessed lighting is a great way to save space yet provide a room with ample lighting.

Lighting Effects

Whether you’re planning on using your remodeled basement for a man cave, rec room, or entertainment space, your lighting needs will change. Dimmer switches are a great way to get the right amount of light. They give you better control of the mood and environment of your basement space. Movie night won’t need to be completely dark or light. No bruised shins trying to find your seat after a bathroom break or ruining the mood of a good scary movie with too much bright light.

Best Basement Lighting Options

When it comes to bulb type, you’ll pay a little more for LEDs and CFLs. However, they offer energy savings when in use along with lasting longer than incandescent bulbs. Plus, they give off less heat. Wattage is a term that most people are familiar with, but with the push for LED and CFLs, the packaging is going more towards listing lumens instead. You may think that you need the highest number of lumens, but really it’s going to depend on what the light fixture needs. Using a bulb with the proper lumen is the right call because you’ll get the light you need without using more energy than necessary.

Starting to think more about getting better basement lighting for your upcoming remodel? It’s a good idea to talk with a professional electrician. They can guide you where the best places are in your space to put your lighting. They will even help you get different rooms to have wiring in your basement.

Contact us today as we’d love to talk with you about your upcoming basement lighting project.

Want to up the ante of your Seattle home? Highlight counter-tops and brighten darker spaces with poor lighting by adding custom cabinet lighting to your kitchen. Under cabinet lighting is the easiest way to change the mood and add direct lighting to counter tops in your kitchen. You can create atmosphere and add functionality at the same time with LED lights that are attractive, affordable, and even energy-efficient.

Keep in mind that additional lighting isn’t restricted to under the cabinet. Wherever you need it, add it. Sometimes it is perched above the cabinets, or on the counter-tops… Don’t struggle to read a cookbook or recipe card. You don’t have to wash dishes in the shadows. Integrated kitchen lighting adds atmosphere, functionality and style to your kitchen. Lighting under the cabinets not only completes the look of your kitchen, it gives you a better look at what you’re making for dinner, too.

Cabinet Lighting Isn’t for the Kitchen Only

Under cabinet lights are nothing new to kitchens, but now they are showing up in bathrooms, too. You can find creative touches with LED lights in bedrooms, home offices, living rooms (behind TV’s) and everywhere else people believe additional lighting is needed or wanted. Grocery stores are even installing LED strip lighting inside their freezer doors that turn on as shoppers pass by. They know what looks good! You can talk to us about installing dimming under counter lighting, or lights that turn on automatically as you open the cabinet door – we’re happy to help you with the perfect lighting solution for what you’re seeking to accomplish in your home!

Kitchen Under Cabinet Lighting Ideas

You can choose between strip lights, circular lights, triangular, square lights and more. There are plenty of different shapes and sizes to choose from, and LED options add energy savings, too. You can purchase lights to install yourself or purchase everything needed for a professional to install it for you.

– Puck or flat LED lights
Small round disks that can be in mount individually or several that has wiring together.
– Tape LED lights
Come on a roll in a variety of lengths.
– Strip LED lights
Rectangular lights come with everything needed for an electrician to install.
– Rope LED lights
Simple, low-cost and easy to install yourself.

– LED Pad lights
With touch on/off or dimmable sensor switch built in

– In-cabinet LED lights
Illuminates cabinet interiors as you open the door.

– Color-changing LED lights

– Rechargeable LED in-cabinet lights

LED Lights Will Almost Last Forever and Save Money, Too

Again, LED lights are highly efficient. They consume very little energy. Because they last year after year, you won’t have to purchase replacements often, which will save you money in the long run.

Yes, you can install under-cabinet lighting yourself – or, you’re more than welcome to call Wire Craft Electric to install your lights for you. If you have any questions about choosing the right under cabinet lighting in your kitchen or bathrooms, give us call today.

Replacing a light fixture proves to be a simple project. However, caution ensures it is not shockingly simple. With any electrical repair or installation, be sure to understand the steps to protect you and your home. We thought we would rundown a quick checklist of tips and safety precautions for the next time this shows up on your to do list.

First, turn off the power

Shutting off the light at the switch alone does not necessarily cut power to the wires. Head to the breaker panel to turn off power to the fixture you are working on. This important step ensures that power will be MIA in the box needing your attention.

For unlabeled panels, turn the light fixture on. Then, power off the circuits in the breaker panel one at a time until the source is revealed. Label the circuit, leaving it off. Turn the switch off in the room as well.

Remove the old light fixture

Once the power is cut, you can remove the old fixture. Disconnect the fixture wires from the installed wires by removing the connectors and twisting the wires apart. Any remaining fixture parts can also be taken down.

Be sure to tighten the screws in the mounted electrical box, if they are loose. Also, be certain the box is suitable for the weight of the new fixture and is grounded. If not, install a new electrical box.

Connect the wires

You are halfway there. The three wires dangling from the electrical box should be white (neutral), black (current) and copper (ground). The manufacturer’s instructions provide further information on connecting the wires. Be sure to follow them carefully, even those of you who detest directions.

To get started, the black and white wires typically connect with their color matching counterparts. The copper, often green, wire connects to a grounding screw. Each wire attaches by twisting or wrapping its bare ends around the bare ends of its counterpart. The final step involves twisting on the wire connectors. And, tucking the wires back into the electrical box.

Attach the new fixture

The new fixture mounts to the electrical box with the provided hardware. In some cases, wisdom says to have an extra set of hands nearby. Heavy fixtures or those mounted on high ceilings may prove precarious for one installer. Mount any trims or covers, and adjust any chain lengths.

Once installed, locate the recommended, correct wattage bulb. LED bulbs are an efficient choice. Following both of these recommendations leads to greater bulb life, increased safety and decreased costs.

Turn on the power

While it may seem obvious, return to the breaker panel and turn the circuit on. With the power restoration, the switch should now be operational.

Enjoy the glow of a job well done! If you have any questions or concerns about this or other electrical happenings in your home, don’t hesitate to drop us a line.

Light Bulbs: Different Types and When To Use Them

Shopping for light bulbs seems like it should be a pretty straightforward thing to do, right? But, once you enter the light bulb aisle, it can become a bit overwhelming. Between lumens, energy savings, varying wattage, and more, it could be hard to know if you’re choosing the best bulb for your intended purpose. Different bulbs produce different lighting effects, and they can have varying performance, as well. Check out this short guide to give you a better understanding of light bulbs, so you’re well-equipped in determining how to choose the correct one.

CFL vs. LED

Compact Fluorescent (CFL) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs are both the most energy-efficient options. CFL bulbs do produce UV light and heat, while heat produced by LED bulbs is absorbed by a heat sink, so they stay cool to the touch.  CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and last about nine years. LED bulbs contain no mercury and can last up to 20 years. Both can be used in standard light fixtures like table lamps, pendants, and ceiling fans, and CFL bulbs are a little less expensive than LED bulbs.

Halogen and Fluorescent

Halogen bulbs give off the light that is the most similar to natural daylight. They burn at a higher temperature and are most often used in under-cabinet lighting, pendant lights, or recessed lighting. Fluorescent bulbs are tubes filled with mercury vapor that emit UV light, and they contain a coating that turns the UV light into visible light. They are typically tube-shaped but also come in u-shaped and circular. They work well to light large areas like basements, attics, or garages.

Lumens and Watts

Lumens is the measurement of light emitted by a bulb. So, more lumens means a brighter light. Watts signify the amount of energy a bulb uses. Lower wattage means your energy bill will be lower, too. Even though CFL and LED bulbs use a lower wattage than standard incandescent lights, they emit the same amount of lumens. When choosing a bulb, you should never exceed the maximum recommended wattage for your light fixture.

Light Color Light Bulbs

Light color is measured by the Kelvin temperature scale. The lower the number means the more yellow the light while a higher number is a whiter – or, bluer – light. Warm white is great for bedrooms, dens, or living rooms. Bright, or cool white or cool white is ideal for kitchens, workspaces, and bathrooms.

Light Bulb Shape

LED, CFL, and halogen bulbs are available in a variety of shapes and bases to fit nearly any fixture. A good idea when lightbulb shopping is to bring in the old bulb, so you make sure you choose the correct base and size.

While the options for light bulbs can seem overwhelming at first, this guide should help you understand them a bit better – bookmark it so you can pull it up on your next trip to the hardware store. You can adjust light color, lumens, and light bulb shape depending on the room and the fixture, so the lighting in your home is always perfect for your needs. If you need light fixtures installed or have any lighting issues in your home, contact the professionals at Wire Craft Electric to help you out. You can submit your question or request on our contact form, and we’ll reach out right away.