Christmas Decorating Ideas For 2008

The holiday season is right around the corner, and it is time to start thinking about making your home festive for the holidays. When you are looking for great Christmas decorating ideas for 2008, you will want to take into consideration the current styles as well as traditional holiday decor. By integrating the two together, you can be sure that your home will feel festive and fashionable.

The big trend in Christmas decorating ideas for 2008 is sparkle. The holidays always need a little sparkle whether it's the sparkle of a new fallen snow, the sparkle of the star on top of your tree, or the sparkle of the twinkle lights on the houses in the neighborhood. However, this year sparkle has taken on a new meaning. When looking for the perfect Christmas decorations you will want to look for metallic accents. Silver and gold are great options because they can blend in to your current home decor. There are fantastic mosaic pieces that will add a bit of sparkle to your home without feeling like you have to throw a Santa up in every nook of your home.

Another great decorating idea for Christmas is to invest in some lovely Christmas themed dishware so that you can display the dishes. There are great plate racks out there, and putting these on display is an easy way for you to integrate the holidays into your home.

A really easy Christmas decoration is a simple wreath. With a wreath, you can personalize it to display your holiday style. If you are looking for something more natural and rustic then perhaps you will create an evergreen wreath that is filled with pinecones and berries. Or maybe you are looking for a bit more glamour. If that is the case, then you might want to pick a wreath that is synthetic and is decorated with feathers or ornaments.

When looking to decorate the exterior of your home as well you would do well to think outside of the box. If you are looking for something simple to do for your exterior Christmas decorations then you might want to simply pick some fabulous wired ribbon that you can create some really large bows with. You can then fix these bows onto your exterior lights. Or perhaps you simply replace your exterior light bulbs with holiday colored lights.

When looking for something more extravagant for your exterior Christmas decorations you might want to check out the latest craze in holiday decorations. Large blow up decorations for your yard are everywhere, and they could not make decorating any easier. All that you have to do is set them in your yard and plug them in, then voila! Your yard is set for the holidays.

Decorating for the holidays is really up to the individual as to what their preference is. However, it is worth taking note of the current trends for ideas that you might find useful. While you are out shopping for Christmas gifts be sure to keep your eye out on the store displays as well because those often have great Christmas decorating ideas for 2008.

House Wiring Info - How to Avoid Common House Wiring Issues

In the United States, each year brings 32,000 house fires as a result of malfunctioning electrical wire systems. The devastation of improperly installed wiring is the reason behind an annual total of about 950 injuries, 220 deaths, and nearly $700 million in property damage. The risk level increases when you live in a house aged 50 years or older (like more than 1/3 of residences in the U.S.). Just think - all of the advancements in technology are now much stronger than in the past - meaning older homes suffer a greater drain on their electrical system.

Therefore, when thinking of pursuing a do-it-yourself project that involves rewiring your home - make sure to proceed with caution and gain as much house wiring information as possible. Becoming familiar with common wiring errors and issues is a good way to prevent a catastrophe from occurring in the future. A few house wiring info tips include:

·Working With Live Wires: Every year, a great deal of do-it-yourselfers fall victim to the electric shock of a live wire. To stay safe - make sure you always turn off the circuit breaker or remove proper fuses before tackling a this sort of home improvement project or when replacing a piece of electrical equipment.

·Incorrect Light Bulbs: There is a reason that companies list the maximum allowed wattage on their sockets and light fixtures. Contrary to popular belief, using a higher wattage does not brighter up your room any better, but only causes damage to lights, which can heat up wires to the point of a house fire.

·Proper Grounding: It is important that receptacles are wired with the appropriate grounding and polarity. Grounded wires typically display a copper grounding wire with the cable. If you live in an older house, the wires appear black and white. Before pursuing an electrical project any further, it is important to test your home for grounded wiring. Today, a UL Listed outlet circuit tester is the most effective approach. When outlets are improperly grounded - make sure to call a professional electrician.

·Splicing: When splicing wiring in the house, it is key to display matching wire sizes and types. People who splice wires by twisting the ends together and covering the result with electrical tape face a higher risk of encountering a problem in the future. Also, keep in mind that plastic or metal receptacles lessen the risk of fire.

·Old Wires: When hooking up new light fixtures, make sure the wires in your home can accommodate the transition. For example, older homes may possess wiring with a lower temperature rating. Do-it-yourselfers normally overlook this house wiring info tip. However, to lower the risk of an unnecessary fire, check the wire rating before installing new lights. A solution to incompatibility is to upgrade the wiring or seek out fixtures that satisfy the appropriate supply connection range.

Green Travel - Do You Turn Off Your Hotel Room's Air Conditioner?

More and more people are starting to jump on the "green" bandwagon. According to the U.S. Travel Data Center, forty-three million US travelers are now ecologically concerned. Here are some tips on how to travel green:

Save Energy

-Master Switches: Some green hotels use master switches. The guest uses a key card to turn on and shut off the power in the room when entering or exiting.

If no master switch technology is available, turn off all appliances when leaving your hotel room manually.

-Use Fluorescent Lighting: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs or CFLs replace incandescent lamps. They use less power and last longer.

-Use Energy Star Appliances: Devices with the Energy Star logo save 20%-30% on average.

Save Water

-Dual Flush Toilet: These special toilets use a 0.8 gallon flush for liquid waste and a 1.6 gallon flush for solids. They average 1 gallon per flush as opposed to the 7 gallons averaged by older toilets.

-Low Flow Showerheads: Also known as energy efficient shower heads because they use less energy due to less water being heated.

-Reuse Linens: Tell your hotel that you don't need your towels and sheets changed daily.

Save Paper

-Electronic Check-out Programs: Some hotels have a check-out program that uses a minimum of paper either by using the television screen in your room or their own computers.

-Newspaper: Tell your hotel to only deliver a newspaper to your room if requested.

-Electronic Tickets: Use electronic ticketing when purchasing airline tickets.

-Take Limited Brochures/Maps: Take only want you need and return what isn't being used.

Use Green/Recycled Materials

-Green Cleaning Supplies: Try to find a hotel that uses green cleaning supplies. Not only benefits you, but their own employees.

-Carpet: Some hotels have carpets that are made from post consumer recycled material in the backing, fiber and pad.

Reduce Pollution

-Environmentally Conscious Airlines: Some airlines are environmentally conscious, such as Southwest Airlines. This airline recycles all cabin waste and has electronic ticketing.

-Walking Tours: Enjoy walking tours of your destination whenever possible.

-Public Transportation: Use public transportation whenever possible. Also, use the hotel van instead of a rental car to get to and from the hotel.

-Take Only Photographs, Leave Only Footprints: Don't plunder the natural resources of the area you are visiting and don't litter. In fact, be a true world citizen and pick up one piece of litter a day. The world belongs to everyone, treat it like a treasured possession.

Should There Be A Chandelier In Your Office?

Most home decor experts and homeowners know that installing chandeliers at home or the office, is an effective way of adding style and elegance into any room or interior.

However, putting the the wrong lighting fixture can have an adverse affect on the room's overall look. To be sure you get the right one for either your office or room, decide where you're planning to install your chandelier. This may be a little bit tricky, considering that these lighting pieces are usually designed to be a bit bigger than the usual ceiling pendants and island lights.

A couple places that most observers would recommend would be the foyer, living room, the entrance hall, and sometimes the dining room. This however, would depend upon the size of the room; as too large a chandelier and you'll dwarf the room, and a too small one could end you up with a lot of negative space and not enough light.

Many Contemporary Designs Are Now Suited For Offices

Aside from the classical chandelier designs, there are also contemporary designs that are made of glass, however they are a bit costly than those made of metal. These contemporary chandeliers come with different patterns, color schemes, styles and designs, each gives and put distinct glow to any room. These can also yield a room a unique type of lighting. As for the lights, these lighting fixtures offer porcelain lighting that can give a room an elegant ambiance.

The main purpose of these designs is to give an office a modern interior decorative piece. Buyers should be creative in choosing the right contemporary design for their homes or offices, because you will be the one searching for the right chandelier that will suit your style, your design and complement your offices' existing furnishings.

There are also many varieties of modern designs available on the Internet, and so on, all you can to do is search for the right one. Since there are many lighting fixture designs, you may be able to turn your offices and hallways into mini art galleries.

How To Look For The Appropriate Chandelier

Deciding which fixture to purchase for your office is an important task. Ponder on whether you are shopping for a traditional design complete with multiple tiers,glass baubles and candelabra styled lamps? Or you're probably looking for a single-tier style carved out of wood. Whatever the style, and your preference, consider the look of your offices' current decor and work with it.

For example, if you have a post-modern office look, having a chandelier with colorful blown glass diffusers and flowers may not work well, as you want your lighting fixture to heighten the look of your office with its elegance and beauty, and not create a chaotic look.

The last step is to consider is, will your chandelier put a dent on your power bills? Not too many people realize this, but lighting does cost a bit of money, especially if they leave their lights on when they don't need them. If you're one of those people who absolutely need to leave their lights on for whatever reason, consider replacing your bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs or any comparable, energy efficient bulbs, as this will help your office save money, and use environment-friendly lighting material.

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How To Use Feng Shui to Recession-Proof Your Home

It was bound to happen-a participant in my Feng Shui and Wealth workshop asked a question using the word we have all been thinking about, but many of us have been afraid to speak: recession.

Here is her timely question:

With the economy on this downward trend, how can I use Feng Shui to help stay afloat if the money ship starts to sink into a recession?

The simple answer is that a few Feng Shui adjustments can stop your ship of fortune from sinking, keep wealth flowing, and help make your home recession-proof despite a poor economy.

Feng Shui is the art and science of placing things in your home and office in the appropriate place so you can attract what you want into your life-like wealth, harmony, and love. Here are two important areas where you can make some quick Feng Shui adjustments that will have some big payoffs in attracting and retaining wealth:

Clear Clutter. In Feng Shui, clutter represents postponed decisions and the inability to move forward in your life. Think about that for a while as you stare at the piles on paper on your desk, the unworn clothes in your closet, and the months of unread magazines in your family room. Since nothing new comes into your life until you make room for it, you need to start clearing out the old stuff you are holding on to in order to make room for wealth to flow into your life.

If you can't decide whether an object is clutter or a keeper, ask yourself these six questions:

1. Do I love it?

2. Do I need it?

3. Does it reflect who I am at this point in my life?

4. Does it have positive emotional attachment?

5. If it needs to be repaired am I willing to pay to fix it now?

6. If I moved tomorrow would I pay a mover to take it with me?

If your answer was No to any one of the questions, the item is clutter and out it goes.

A cluttered space equals a cluttered mind. Make sure you clear clutter with a prosperity consciousness (that is, I can afford to replace the item in the future if I need it) rather than a poverty consciousness (I might never have enough money to replace the object in the future). Get rid of clutter today and make room for wealth to flow into your home tomorrow.

Fix Broken Things. Feng Shui is about rearranging your surroundings to set the intention for something good to happen to you-like a fatter bank account, a lower mortgage rate, or a higher salary. And while you are waiting for these big intentions to come flowing through the front door, it is important not to neglect the small things that contribute to a feeling of prosperity. If you ignore things that need to be repaired, replaced, or removed, you set an intention of neglect; when you fix them, your intention is one of abundance.

Here are 10 simple repairs you can make to set the attention to attract wealth:

1. Clean Your Front Door. The front door is considered the place where all good energy enters your home; a dirty or faded door repels wealth but a clean door attracts prosperity.

2. Replace Burned Out Light Bulbs. If your rooms are dark, so is your financial future; replace burned out light bulbs and brighten your possibilities to attract wealth.

3. Clean Your Windows. Windows are the eyes of your home; dirty windows cloud your vision but clean windows represent a clear view of the opportunities coming your way.

4. Remove Dead Plants. Dead plants symbolize dead energy; replace them with healthy living plants to grow wealth in your life.

5. Remove Clutter From Under Your Bed. If you have too many unused objects under your bed you won't sleep well; lost sleep results in missed opportunities for prosperity.

6. Repair Broken Mirrors. If you have a broken mirror in your home it can keep you from seeing things smoothly; remove or replace it so you can reflect smooth view of prosperity.

7. Keep the Toilet Lid Down. If your toilet lids are open you are symbolically flushing your finances away; keep them down and keep your wealth.

8. Fix Drips and Leaks. Leaking water represents leaking wealth; stop the leak and you will stop the drain of your abundance

9. Remove Old Food From the Fridge. Food and wealth are closely related so if you have old, half-used, or fuzzy food in the fridge you are squandering your wealth.

10. Clean Your Stove. Make sure the burners on your stove are in good working because this also relates to your ability to feed people; immediately fix any nonworking burners.

Whether or not you are worried about a recession, when you clear clutter you open up room for wealth to flow into your home; fix broken things and you remove whatever is blocking prosperity from entering your life.

Top 10 Energy Saving Tips To Cut Your Fuel Bills

If you use both gas and electricity in your home, your annual fuel bills will have risen by around £400 since 2003. This translates to an increase of around 50% in electricity prices and a massive 90% in gas prices across the UK.

The good news is that you could cut the cost of these increases in half by being more energy efficient and switching to the cheapest energy supplier.

TOP 10 ENERGY SAVING TIPS

Apply these energy saving tips and you could save hundreds of pounds in lower energy bills every year.

1. Shop around for your energy...

If you have never switched your energy supplier you could save up to £270 by changing to a new company. You can compare all UK energy providers for free by using an online price comparison

site.

2. Pay by direct debit...

You don't have to switch your energy supplier to reduce your bills. If you don't currently pay by direct debit you could save around £150 a year and even more by using an online account.

3. Get free advice...

Your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre can give you free, expert advice on saving energy and applying for any grants available in your area to help with the cost of energy improvements to your home. You can contact your local centre on 0800 512012.

4. Save money on heating...

Simply turning your thermostat down by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10%. Heating water for bathing and washing is another area you can save money by setting the cylinder thermostat at 60°C/140°F.

5. Keep the heat in...

Draughty doors, windows and floors can be a major source of heat loss from your home. By using draught excluders on your keyholes, letter boxes and doors together with blocking gaps under skirting boards with newspaper, you can shave £5-£10 off your bills every year! If you have old or poorly fitting windows, double-glazing can cut heat loss through windows by 50% and reduce your heating bill by up to 100 a year. At night, closing your curtains and tucking them behind any under-window radiator will stop heat escaping through your windows.

6. Use the off button...

By switching unused appliances off such as televisions, videos and computers instead of leaving them on standby can save around £37 a year. Turn off lights when you leave an empty room and let in as much natural light as possible during the day.

7. Buy a jacket...

Fitting an insulating jacket for your hot water tank only costs a few pounds and pays for itself within months. A jacket that's at least 75mm thick could save around £20 a year.

8. Only use what you need...

By only filling your kettle with the water you need, it will boil quicker and save you money! But the opposite applies when using the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher. Try to use a full load with these appliances and wash clothes on a low temperature programme as modern washing powders will be just as effective at lower temperatures.

9. Have a light bulb moment...

Saving energy can be as easy as changing a light bulb. By replacing standard bulbs with energy

efficient ones you can save up to £9 on your annual electricity bill. Priced from just a few pounds, energy efficient light bulbs last around 12 times and pay for themselves with lower bills.

10. Give your home an energy health check...

To understand which energy saving tips and improvements will be most effective for your home, use the Energy Saving Trust online home energy check. Visit est.org.uk.

Simple But Powerful Ways to Lower Your Lighting Bills

Everybody knows that lighting consumes electricity. Based on statistics, lighting is responsible for about 12% of the energy used in a typical American home. That's a huge chunk of your bills! Is there any way you can reduce your lighting bills?

Make no mistake about this, you cannot completely eliminate this need for lighting in the home at night, after all, what is life without light? You need to brighten up your nights with lights, perhaps to move around the house, doing your chores, guard against intruders, and enjoy some reading and so on. But let's try our best to reduce that energy use.

Nearly every home can benefit from improved lighting efficiency. No matter what the type of lighting in your home, there are opportunities to lower your monthly energy costs by reducing your electricity use. You can also improve the quality of light at the same time.

On the average, every home has nine lights left on for more than three hours every day. Any light bulb burning more than two hours per day on average is a good candidate to be replaced with a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL).

Below are some simple techniques to lower lighting costs and improve lighting quality. Most of them can be done with little or no skill and with low cost:

Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents

Compact Fluorescent Lamps, or CFLs, use one-third to one-quarter the energy of incandescent bulbs, and last up to ten times longer. They screw into standard light bulb sockets, and are available in many sizes and shapes to fit almost any fixture. They are more expensive to buy than incandescent bulbs, but save several times their purchase cost because of reduced electric use and longer life (less frequent replacement).

The packaging for a CFL usually indicates the equivalent wattage of the incandescent bulb it replaces. For example, a 20-watt CFL gives off about the same amount of light as a 75-watt incandescent bulb. Note that CFLs take up to a minute to reach full brightness.

Look for ENERGY STAR qualified models, which carry the ENERGY STAR logo on the product or the box. These models are among the most energy-efficient units sold.

For the purpose of calculating savings from a compact fluorescent bulb, here are some facts:

If you replace one 75-watt incandescent bulb (that costs 75¢ and is on for four hours per day) with a 20-watt compact fluorescent lamp (that costs $5 and is also on for four hours per day), you'll save about $3 by the end of the first year, and more than $50 over the expected seven-year life of the CFL. Well, it depends on your electricity tariffs, but you get the idea?

In addition to this, by replacing the incandescent lights with fluorescent bulbs, you will also save on your cooling bills. This is because incandescent lights give off a tremendous amount of heat that can warm up the interior of your house.

Install energy-saving controls on exterior lights

Outdoor lighting should be off when it's not needed. You can switch them off manually or automatically. Here are some ways you can do it automatically :
Install photocell switches. These can automate lights by shutting them off when the sun comes up. Be careful though to locate them away from street lighting, automobile headlights from the street and lighting from your own home. Also protect them from dusts and weather so as not to give false activations.




Install timers to automatically turn off outdoor lights in the evening, such as patio lights that are no longer needed when you go indoors. You may have to adjust these as the season changes to longer or shorter daylight hours.




Install motion sensors to turn on lights when they detect movement. These are excellent when people are moving around a lot. However, they have a drawback - they will switch off when a person remains motionless like when they are sitting down reading a book. These sensors are also prone to accidental operation by the movement of rodents and other nocturnal animals.

These devices are available at hardware stores and home improvement centers for as little as $15. Most of them come with installation instructions. Hard-wired fixtures may require an electrician.

Clean fixtures

Dust settling on lamps reduces the light intensity. Keep lamps, lampshades and light bulbs clean to maximize their light output. You may even find that once a fixture is clean, it gives off the same amount of light as a higher-wattage bulb.

Use low-wattage light bulbs

In some fixtures, it's possible to use lower-wattage light bulbs and still get the amount of light you need. Sometimes locating a light source nearer to the needed area is all that is necessary.

Turn lights off

This is the best tip of all. The lamp that is switched off uses no energy. Turn off the lights when you don't need them. This takes some discipline to make it work. Once the action has become a habit it becomes easier. If you need to, just put a sticker or sign to remind you to switch off when you are not using the room. Get your family to cooperate.

Finally, you might even consider a drastic change in your lifestyle - go to sleep earlier! It might even improve your health and lower your doctor's bills!

White Christmas Tree Decoration Ideas

Everywhere you look this time of year you'll see Christmas tree decoration ideas. The good news is that there are many different options available when it comes to decorating your tree. Even better than the multitude of options is the fact that there really is no wrong way in which to decorate your Christmas tree. Decorate your tree the way you see fit. However, there are some that simply seem to blank when it comes to inspired and innovative decorating ideas. For you, we are here to help.

The place to start when it comes to decorating your Christmas tree is with the lights. What kind of Christmas tree would it be without lights after all? There are many styles, colors, and types of lights to consider when it comes to your Christmas tree be sure to choose the lights that strike your fancy and not the lights you think will drive your family batty (you have to live with the lights you choose too).

In addition to the many choices of lights, there are also quite a few different styles of tree from which to choose. One choice in Christmas tree that is growing in popularity is the white Christmas tree. If you elect a white Christmas tree for your decorating pleasure, a good idea for decorations is to go with a dual-colored theme for your ornaments and lights. Doing this can create a very lovely and elegant Christmas tree.

Assuming you have some red and green ornaments lying around the house it is quite possible to create a beautiful theme by placing these ornaments on a white Christmas tree. You could use red bows and green ornaments or some sort of combination of the two. Of course you could do with any colors you would like. Silver and blue ornaments look quite lovely on a white Christmas tree, as do many other colors. White is neutral and looks pretty good with almost any other color on the market.

When you select a white Christmas tree, you are giving yourself a clean palate upon which to create a Christmas decorating masterpiece. Any color scheme has the possibility of looking beautiful and the fewer colors you use on your tree, the more elegant and less crowded it will appear. Then again, it's your tree and like I said before, there's no wrong way to decorate a Christmas tree.

Making Your House Stand Out in a Tough Market

As the real estate industry continues its downward trend, it's becoming increasingly difficult to sell your home. Prices have dropped, there are more listings than ever to choose from and sellers are giving incredible deals to buyers. Here are a few tips to make your home stand out.

Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is the first way to draw attention to your home. Since it is the first thing that anyone sees, you want the "WOW" factor. I know people that have bought houses just because of the spectacular landscaping. I also know people who have not even bothered looking inside of a house because of the condition of the exterior. Make sure the exterior of the house is in tip-top shape so the potential buyer immediately wants to see the inside.

The following is your list of items to maintain curb appeal:

o Cut grass

o Trim all hedges and bushes

o Add mulch to beds

o Have flowering plants or potted flowers on the porch

o Keep toys out of sight and place in the backyard or in a shed

o Clean all cluttering debris such as sticks, garbage, old newspapers, etc.

o Replace all the light bulbs surrounding the house

You want the inside of your house to wow potential buyers just as much as the outside.

The following checklist gives ultimate interior appeal. Make sure all items are completed before the first showing of your house is scheduled.

o Clean! Every floor, window, closet and cupboard!

o Remove excess clutter, toys, paperwork and knick-knacks. Clutter makes counter tops and rooms appear smaller than they really are.

o Paint the walls in dirty rooms or where a room needs brightening. Bright rooms give the appearance that they are more spacious.

o Make repairs to anything needed - hinges, doorknobs, plaster, steps, plumbing, etc.

o Replace all burned out light bulbs.

o Wash all window coverings. Open all of the curtains and blinds before a showing. Natural light makes a room appear bigger.

o Open the doors and windows before a showing to fill the home with fresh air.

When the inside and outside are clean and neat, you may need to provide a bigger incentive to your potential buyers. If the house has repairs that you didn't have the time or cash to fix, you can offer credit towards the purchase price. That way, you acknowledge the repairs and give the buyer a discount for accepting the home as is.

Another option is to offer an allotment if your house needs new carpeting or flooring. Buyers like allotments because they get the item new, plus they get to pick out their colors. A win-win situation for everyone.

The time spent cleaning, making minor repairs, and providing incentives for major repairs, will make your home stand out above the competition. Although these little fixes may require some time and effort, selling quickly in a tough market will be worth the effort in the end!

Advent of Xenon Lighting

Currently, xenon lamps are replacing halogen lamps in the headlights of automobiles. These lamps are more preferred in headlights because these lamps result to lower light reflection thus reducing the glare of oncoming cars. This is so because transition from light to darkness of Xenon light is more defined than Halogen light.

The arc created between two electrodes of tungsten makes the xenon bulb lights up. The xenon bulb contains noble gases, including xenon gas, and does not have any filaments like the incandescent bulbs. Xenon light has an electronic starter and a ballast to start and maintain the arc that will light up the lamp.

Xenon bulbs are used widely for lighting large areas such as gyms and courts, warehouses and parking lots, and cinemas. Xenon bulbs are more preferred than incandescent bulbs in that it has a brightness that is close to that of daylight. Although more expensive than other types of lamp, investing in a xenon bulb is worth it and can even save you a lot of money in the long run since it will last you a lifetime. You do not have to change your xenon bulb like you do your incandescent or fluorescent bulbs.

There are two different types of xenon lamps, namely the xenon compact arc lamps and the mercury-xenon lamps. Both lamps however function on the basic concept of xenon lighting which utilizes the arc that is created between the two electrodes in the bulb. With xenon short arc lamps, the arc is formed with the electrodes only a few millimeters apart. Further, these lamps contain several atmospheres of xenon gas. Reaching 80% of final output can be done in less than ten minutes for this type of xenon lamp. Xenon compact arc lamps are designed for direct current operation and are done for better stability and longer life. Xenon lamps come in different wattage and can be operated in the vertical or horizontal position. A mercury-xenon lamp is a lamp that contains both small amounts of xenon and mercury. Xenon is used to start and maintain the arc, which creates the light, until mercury has vaporized.

Xenon lighting or better known as HID (High Intensity Discharge) lighting is a very popular with car enthusiasts as they install this type of light into their cars. Although, xenon lighting is more expensive than other forms of lighting, the quality of light being given by the lamp is very appropriate for night driving. As part of a style statement, xenon lighting does not only come in its natural white color but also comes in a variety of colors that can match the car's theme. Xenon lighting comes in golden light, sun light color, different shades of blue and purple.

How to Replace T8 Or T12 Lights With New Energy Efficient T5 Lighting

T5 compact lighting has given T8 and T12 users an energy efficient option to fluorescent lighting. Fluorescent lights can be used in many ways and places but are most commonly found in offices, schools, hospitals, warehouses, and retail spaces. Regular fluorescent lights or T8 and T12 are now becoming obsolete. The new T5's are 16mm wide, almost half the size of T12 lights. This makes them much thinner then regular fluorescent lights. Manufacturers created the T5 line to compete in the compact fluorescent lighting market. T5 bulbs reduce consumption of power by about 50% while still providing the same output of light as regular fluorescent lights.

Luckily manufacturers have also come up with an easy way to change out existing T8 and T12 bulbs for T5 bulbs using conversion kits. These kits allow you to use T5 bulbs in existing strip light fixtures. You can choose to remove the existing strip light fixtures and replace them with T5 specific fixtures.

How does the energy efficiency aspect breakdown? A 35 watt T5 bulb can replace a 58 watt T12 bulb and still supply the same amount of light. This is how they calculated the average 50% energy savings. A T5 light bulb usually lasts at least 15,000 hours losing only about 5% output in its life. A T8 light bulb usually lasts about 9,000 hours but it loses about 20% output in its life. T5 light bulbs will not need to be replaced as often as T8 and T12 bulbs so they will need less maintenance and save you money on that department also.

Although T5 lights cost more than T8 and T12 lights do, the conversion kits can save you about 70% of the cost of actually replacing the fixtures. The T5 conversion kits can easily be installed right along with the bulbs. Clip-on reflectors can also be used with T5 lighting to enhance the fixtures light output.

Replacing and updating your existing fixtures to T5 standards is fairly simple thanks to conversion kits. T5 kits will cost more initially but will save you money in the long run. Thanks to the manufacturers of T5 fluorescent bulbs, making the change to energy efficiency is a painless and simple move.

Flood Lights - Light Your Life For Security

Flood lights come in a variety that can be used around your home or business. Wall mount floods that are used for commercial building are called wall packs. They are high pressure sodium, metal halide, and mercury vapor. They are very high intensity lights and last a long period of time. These can last as long as five years. These lights are found in commercial buildings not usually in your home.

Standard flood lights like Edison based sockets which are normal based flood lights are a way to illuminate that can be used around your home. They also come in motion sensor and photo sensor which are used from dusk to dawn.

Street light floods usually come in 175 watt mercury vapor lights that are good for illuminating areas away from your home and give you a lot of area light. Flood based lights light up specific areas. They are more directional.

Lighting exteriors of a home is very important. It can be controlled by a computer while you are away, when you're there or when you're not. Flood lights can help with security and basic lighting.

Lumens are what you must consider when picking your lighting. The more lumens, the brighter the area. Not necessarily wattage. When you use florescent basic lighting, check the lumens to see if it compares or exceeds the existing flood lights you want to replace. 90 watts in incandescent could be less lumens in florescent. Always check lumens instead of wattage to get the brightness right. It is always written on the box. If you are replacing, make sure you have matched the correct lumens.

Flood lights can light up your pathway, your driveway, and your trees and garden areas. I recommend high voltage for gardens rather than low voltage which is comparing 120 volts to 12 volts. Twelve volts lighting has a lot of problems because of its contact point and its voltage drop. If properly installed, they both can give you a lifetime of light. But 120 volts lighting is the best for landscaping. It has longevity. Commercial contractors use 120 volts outdoor lighting more so than any other lighting used. 12 volt is good but it does not last.

Flood lights that last a long time can be placed in front of a tree or against a wall to accentuate. Location of a light is important. You can not mount a light on live vegetation. It would be better to have it run in conduit or mount it on the ground aiming it up the tree. Light your life with flood lights.