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Posts Tagged ‘compact fluorescent light bulb<’
Posted in Electrical Work on Feb 24
Alabaster Lampshades are glorious because of wondrous diffused light that comes filtering through the  material. They are available in a number of kaleidoscopic colours making them a dream come true for a decorator-entertainer wanting to make a unique statement in their home.
The shades are also relatively inexpensive and readily interchangeable – would you believe this makes it possible to virtually replace a lamp without even needing to Find an Electrician either. For an even easier solution why not simply change the colour of a light bulb, wait until evening comes and give your family and friends a great surprise.
o Pendant Lamps hang down from ceilings and you could theoretically change them round your self. However if you are scared of ladders, have a stiff back or would like an electrical safety inspection done why not get a few Electrician Quotes from Mr-Skill.
 o Matching Wall Sconces or Wall Mounted Lights can perfectly complement a ceiling fitting or stand out on their own. When you add this extra tiny bit of inexpensive extravagance you transform your living room and patio into entertainer’s dreams.
o To complete that final touch of class why not add a table lamb or standard alabaster light. The capacity to move these portable fittings around enables you to transform your overall lighting effect almost every evening of the year.
An old friend of mine who used to work for Reliable Electricians London has a handy tip I thought I’d pass along. Because alabaster is translucent it shows off the dead moths trapped inside an open shade. His tip is to either use an enclosed fitting with a low energy bulb, or make sure the opening is at the bottom of the light.
Tags: alabaster, bulb, ceiling, cheap, color, colour, compact fluorescent light bulb, electrician london, electrician quote, find an electrician, fitting, inexpensive, lamp, light, pendant, sconce, shade, standard, table, wall mount
Posted in Electrical Work | Comments Off
Posted in Building A-Z on Sep 29
 Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) were introduced in October 2008 to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings and even though the Home Information Packs (HIPS) are no longer a requirement, anybody selling or renting a home or commercial premises needs to produce an EPC certificate by law. Energy Performance Certificates provide ‘A’ to ‘G’ ratings for the building, with ‘A’ being the most energy efficient and ‘G’ being the least efficient. They are produced by independently accredited energy assessors who are usually attached to a surveyor´s office or estate agents, and are required when “a building has a roof and walls and uses energy to condition an indoor climate”. This means it has heating, air conditioning or mechanical ventilation. For example, a garden shed would not need an EPC if it doesn’t have any heating.
Builders in London marketing off-plan construction projects have to provide a Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA) to potential purchasers with a full energy performance certificate on completion and if a building is made up of separate units, each with its own heating system, each unit will need an EPC.
The only exceptions from this legal requirement are-
- Places of worship
- Temporary buildings with an expected lifespan of less than 2 years
- Buildings with appropriate permissions for demolition and re-development
- Stand alone buildings of less than 50m2 of useful floor area
- Non-residential buildings that do not use energy to condition the indoor climate – such as barns or car parks.
If you have not yet seen an Energy Performance Certificate, please click on this link – Example Energy Performance Certificate (pdf file 118Kb) – or ask your local builder in London on how you can save energy and save money at the same time.
Mr-Skill.co.uk also has a series of blogs that may be of interest to you including details on:-
Energy Efficient Windows
Draught Proofing
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Vampire Power
Tags: builder, compact fluorescent light bulb, Construction, draught proofing, energy, energy efficiency, Energy Performance Certificates, energy saving, Find a Builder in London, heating, Home Information Packs, London builder, roof, vampire power, ventilation, wall, windows
Posted in Building A-Z | Comments Off
 Installing recessed lighting is a fairly advanced project. It may be of value to you to consult with a London electrician featured in our Tradesmen´s Directory before starting a job of this nature and, if installing recessed lighting in either the kitchen, bathroom or garden you will need permission from your local Building Control before you start and a London electrician to check your work is compliant with Part P of the Building Regulations when the job is complete. Any new circuits you introduce to your property may also need to be passed, so please account for the cost of this procedure when costing your job and request some electrician quotes by using the “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of the page.
Before installing recessed lighting, you should consider the final effect that you wish to achieve. There are a number of different recessed lighting designs you can use to maximise light and space or to highlight specific objects in your home.
The most common type of recessed light is the downlight. Normally these will illuminate an area equal to the height of the light. Therefore, if your ceiling is 8 feet high, the light will shine directly down and cover a circular area with an 8 foot diameter. If you are considering using downlights over a wide area, you will need to overlap the area lit by each light and it is recommended that you install your downlights at a distance of approximately 6 feet apart.
 Eyeball lights are particularly good if you have a sloped ceiling or wish to highlight a particular decorative element of your home. When illuminating areas like fireplace mantelpieces, the distance from the light to the wall should be 60% (multiply by .6) of the distance from the ceiling to the object – For example, if your mantelpiece is 5 feet from the ceiling, the distance from the wall to where the light is installed is (5 feet x 60%) 3 feet.
The first light should be planned to be about 3 feet away from the wall. Placing the light closer to the wall will create more reflection into the room and make the space feel brighter. Placing the lights further away will make the corners seem dark, create a more ambient impression and give the effect of lowering the ceiling.
Lighting in kitchens needs to be a little brighter. If installing your recessed lights into existing cabinets, they need to be spaced every 3 to 4 feet to illuminate the counter top. In general, for a kitchen, you should allow 3 watts of incandescent light per square foot. To calculate how much light you need, calculate the total square area of the kitchen and divide by three. If using CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs) refer to the manufacturer´s equivalent measurement.
You can safely have as many lights in your new recessed installation as were in your existing fitting. If you are considering exceeding the existing wattage, consult a London electrician before proceeding.
Getting Started
Turn off the power – not just the lighting circuit, but the whole house if possible. This is case you accidently drill through a power cable in a wall or ceiling joist.
If your existing circuit supports the extra load you are installing, there is no need to remove the existing fitting. However, if you choose to do so it is easiest to plan your lighting set-up so that one of the lights you are installing makes use of the hole that will be left by the existing fittings´ removal. Alternatively you could install a ceiling fan or a decorative cover plate that would disguise where the old fitting came from and prevent the need to redecorate the whole ceiling or wall.
Making the Holes
Once you have measured the location for each light, use the manufacturer´s template that comes with the light units to mark the ceiling for each hole you are going to make. Drill a ¼ inch hole in the ceiling at the centre of the proposed opening and then use a jigsaw to make the openings for each of the light mountings (“cans”).
Run a cable from the power source (this could be the light switch or an existing junction box) to the location of the first recessed light. Leave an additional 18 inches of wire hanging from the opening to enable easy wiring of the cans. Continue to feed cable through to each of the openings, drilling carefully through ceiling joists if necessary and feeding the cable through.
Wiring
 Wire the first can to the cable leading from the power source and the cable leading to the next opening and continue connecting the fixtures until you reach the last one. Mount the cans into the openings in the ceiling and add the trim pieces according to the manufacturer´s instructions.
You are now ready to screw in the light bulbs, reconnect the power and view your new recessed lighting effect.
There are several images of how your finished project may look in our “Inspirations” feature and also in our blog – “Improve the Value and Appeal of Your Home”. We strongly recommend that you obtain advice and quotes from electricians in London in respect of Part P Approval and also for any assistance you need with the job itself. London handymen, kitchen fitters, decorators and general builders can also be contacted through our Tradesmen´s Directory, so if you feel that there may be elements of this project which may stretch your abilities, please do not hesitate to use this valuable resource.
Tags: Building Control, compact fluorescent light bulb, Decorating & Interior Design, downlight, electrical cabling, electrical circuit, Electrical Work, Electricians in London, eyeball light, Find an Electrician in London, floodlight, Home Improvements, interior decoration, kitchens, lighting, Part P Approval, recessed lighting, spotlight, wiring
Posted in Electrical Work, Gardening & Landscaping, General Building, Handyman Services, Painting & Decorating | Comments Off
 Recessed lighting is an inexpensive and contemporary way to improve the value and appearance of your home. Any room in the house can benefit from recessed lighting, with the removal of existing bulky light fittings and wires creating a cleaner, more spacious appearance. Whether you are redecorating an entire area of your house or simply require an additional light source in one specific location, consider recessed lighting as a more attractive and modern alternative.
Recessed Lighting in the Hallway
Most new homes now include some recessed lighting in hallways, entrance areas, or porches. Units are installed into the ceiling with only a ring and bulb visible to the eye. It’s a simple, uncluttered look that can be used in nearly any room of a new home, as well as in some areas of an older home.
 Recessed Lighting in the Lounge
Lounges are a great place to install recessed lighting. The lights can be used with a variety of effects – directional spotlights, floodlights, coloured or discrete lighting can all be used to create the ideal room in which to work, rest and play whilst at the same time highlighting any attractive features of the room.
 Recessed Lighting in the Kitchen
The kitchen offers a very versatile location for the introduction of recessed lighting. Not just for the ceiling, recessed lighting can be installed under existing cupboards to shine down on working surfaces where you may be studying a cookery book or combining ingredients for a sumptuous meal.
 Recessed Lighting in the Dining Room
What better way to create an ambient or romantic mood for dinner than with spot lit recessed lighting. With the application of a dimmer switch on your dining room lighting circuit, you are able to create any mood you wish. Recessed lighting will surely create a talking point over dinner!
 Recessed Lighting in the Bathroom
Recessed lighting in the bathroom adds a touch of class to your ablutions. As with the kitchen, you will need Building Control permission before changing an electric circuit in the bathroom, and you will have to use special sealed units to guard against condensation.
 Recessed Lighting in the Bedroom
Recessed lighting in the bedroom can create an awesome effect – especially when integrated with existing lighting applications or uplighted coving. Combining recessed lighting with any existing lighting effects is okay provided that you do not exceed the recommend load on the electrical circuit.
 Recessed Lighting in the Garden
Low voltage recessed lighting in garden decking or installed into steps provide additional safety when trying to navigate your garden in the dark and extra security for your property. It is also an attractive addition to a garden and can be used in many imaginative situations to great effect.
 Recessed Lighting in the Drive
A further attractive security measure is having recessed lighting brighten your drive. A more convenient way of lightening up the path to your property, recessed lighting in the drive can be integrated with a gate or garage opening mechanism to come on and go off just when you need it.
 Installing recessed lighting can be quite an advanced job and better if done by a qualified tradesman. In certain rooms (bathroom and kitchen) you will need Building Control permission before commencing any work and, as with most electrical installations, Part P approval from a London electrician to ensure you work conforms to the building regulations. Despite the hard work, cost and red tape involved in installing recessed lighting in your property, the effort is definitely worthwhile and provides the opportunity to let your house shine out.
Tags: bathroom, bedroom, compact fluorescent light bulb, Dining Room, driveway, Electrical Work, Find an Electrician in London, floodlight, garden lighting, hallway, Home Improvements, kitchen, lounge, low voltage lighting, perimeter security, porch, recessed lighting, spotlight
Posted in Electrical Work, General Building, Handyman Services, Painting & Decorating | Comments Off
 Local interior designers in London will tell you that nothing creates more of an impression inside and outside your home than recessed lighting. No matter in which room – or rooms – the lighting effects are implemented, directional spotlights highlighting key areas of your living environment and providing additional light for working areas in the kitchen or in a study will improve the value and appeal of your home. Replacing existing lighting appliances with recessed lighting units can accentuate decorative elements of your home as well as removing cumbersome wall and ceiling fittings, creating the appearance of more space in your property.
 However, installing recessed lighting yourself is not a job to be undertaken lightly. Most recessed lighting units come with instructions as to their safe installation, however consideration has to be given both to building regulations Part P (relating to electrical installations) and Part B (relating to fire hazard) especially when installing recessed lighting in the bathroom, kitchen or any ceiling or wall that prevents the rapid spread of fire.
Therefore it is a job which you should seek professional guidance. As you will see from the images both on this page and our “Inspirations” feature, there are many uses that can be found for recessed lighting and, when the lights  are fitted and working perfectly, the final effect is amazing. However, using the skills of a local electrician in London – particularly when getting your installation passed Building Control – will ensure that your lights are flush, safe and approved.
Money saving CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs) can also be used in recessed lighting, although unsuitable to be put into sealed recessed fittings. It is advisable to check that the unit into which you are putting your CFL has sufficient ventilation or an open face to limit the build up of heat and extend the life of the lamp. CFLs should not be put into any light fittings that are going to be  frequently switched on and then off in a short space of time.
Larger installations, such as suspended ceilings, can be done with the help of a London builder featured in our Tradesmen´s Directory and recessed uplighting in your garden will provide additional security for your home*, and illuminate your path safely up the driveway, whilst being a talking point for all your guests as they arrive. (* Please note: Recessed lighting units should not be integrated with a security motion sensor unless specifically approved by the light manufacturer – also sealed units are recommended for external use to prevent the function of the lamp being affected by moisture).
If you can see the benefit in using recessed lighting to improve the value and appearance of your home, why not “Post-a-Job” on our web site. It is quick and easy and will encourage competitive quotes from tradespeople in London direct into your email inbox.
Tags: Building Control, Building Regulations Part B, Building Regulations Part P, compact fluorescent light bulb, Decorating & Interior Design, Electrical Work, Find a Builder in London, Find an Electrician in London, find an interior designer in London, highlights, Home Improvements, interior decoration, London builder, Motion Sensors, recessed lighting, spotlights, ventilation
Posted in Improving the appeal and value of your home | Comments Off
 The power rating of air-conditioning equipment in the UK is based on the units´ capacity for cooling a volume of a given size. This power rating is represented in the form of British Thermal Units (BTUs), and an accurate calculation is required to ensure that you purchase the right air-conditioning system to efficiently cool your home. Get the calculation wrong, and you will either have an air-conditioning system that fails to cope with the demands of a hot sunny day, or you will have spent money unnecessarily on a system which leaves the air feeling clammy due to high relative humidity. If you have a mental block with mathematics or cannot get accurate measurements for any reason, contact one of the local tradesmen in our Tradesmen´s Directory, who will be happy to come round and do the calculations with you.
To calculate the number of BTUs your air-conditioning units needs to have, you need to work out the heat load that your air-conditioning has to cool. Make each of the following calculations individually and then combine them to get a sub-total.
Room Volume – Measure the length, width and height (in feet) of each room to be air-conditioned and multiply them together – eg. 13´3” x 10`6” x 9´0” (13.25 x 10.5x 9) – and then multiply the answer by 6.
Occupants – We give off heat too. So, for everybody who regularly uses the room, add 400.
You should end up with a sub-total from those two calculations of between 4000 (for small rooms) and 12000 (for large lounge/diners). Thereafter add 15% if the room is a South-facing living room, deduct 10% if you have cavity wall insulation and double glazing, and add a further 20% if the living room has patio doors or French windows which are not double glazed.
Other factors you may have to consider include if you room has a considerable amount of high voltage lighting (although it would be recommended to switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs) or electrical equipment. If you are considering installing an air-conditioning unit in a kitchen, you should seek professional advice from one of our highly rated tradesmen, as a large number of variable factors will have to be included depending on the number of kitchen appliances and their respective energy efficiency.
Once you know which air-conditioning system to go out and buy, use the “Post-a-Job” facility to find a local tradesman who will install it for you at the best possible price.
Tags: air conditioning, British Thermal Units, compact fluorescent light bulb, doors and window, double glazing, installation, kitchen appliances, measurements, patio doors, wall insulation
Posted in General Building, Handyman Services, Other Craftsman Services | Comments Off
Posted in Building A-Z on Aug 05
 As the government pursue their initiative to reduce CO2 emissions, the discontinuation of traditional incandescent light bulbs means that many homeowners will discover that they have no choice than to switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Although the savings in terms of operating costs are to the advantage of the homeowner, many local tradesmen have reported that there is a reluctance to “make the switch” due to the perception that the new CFLs are unsightly, inefficient and potentially hazardous.
Modern energy saving light bulbs fit into most existing light fixtures and emit the same amount of visible light whilst only using a fraction of the power compared to traditional light bulbs. Since they first appeared on the market, technological advances have led to CFLs becoming smaller in size (in line with traditional incandescent light bulbs), quicker to light and more compatible with dimmer switches (which used to cause the CFL to flicker).
The phasing out of the old “A-type” bulbs has already started with 60w and 100w no longer available on our shelves, and 40w bulbs to follow suit in January. It is estimated that there are still 600 million incandescent bulbs in use in the UK and if each household in the UK replaced just three 60-watt bulbs with light efficient equivalents, the pollution savings would be equivalent to taking 3.5 million cars off the road plus save in excess of £87million in electricity bills.
There is a great “Questions and Answers” section on the Energy Saving Trust web site or, if you would rather, you can put any question you may have to our database of electricians in London by using the “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of the page. They will be happy to visit your property and offer a no-obligation electricians quote on converting your existing incandescent light bulbs to the more efficient CFLs. Although there ultimately will be a charge for the work if you choose to proceed, the money you save on electricity in the first year should more than likely cover any cost.
Please note: There is a very slight risk to health through chemicals contained in CFL light bulbs and, if you should have a broken bulb in your home you should refer to our article on How to Remove a Broken Compact Fluorescent Light or speak to a local electrician listed in our Tradesmen´s Directory. More information about CFL light bulbs can be found on the DEFRA (Department of Environment) web site.
Tags: CFL bulbs, CFL light bulbs, CO2 emissions, compact fluorescent light bulb, dimmer switch, electric current, electrical circuit, electricity, Energy Saving Trust, incandescent light bulbs, pollution, save environment, save money, ventilation
Posted in Building A-Z | Comments Off
Posted in Electrical Work on Aug 05
Warning: Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of toxic mercury sealed within the glass tubing. Take adequate safety precautions and follow the recommendations for disposing of a broken CFL.
 According to trade figures, breakages occur in less than 1% of compact fluorescent light bulbs and, although these bulbs are harder to break than traditional incandescent light bulbs, it is good practice to minimise exposure to mercury whether it comes from a broken CFL, thermometer or barometer.
The first thing you should do after a breakage in a CFL is to ventilate the room. Turn off any air conditioning units or fans which are circulating the air, open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes. Using gloves, then scoop up any large glass fragments with a piece of card and tip into a sealable plastic bag or jar with a screw lid. Use adhesive tape to collect small glass fragments and any residual powder from floors, carpets and soft furnishings and wipe down with a damp cloth. Both the adhesive tape and the damp cloth should also be put into a sealed plastic bag or secure container. Do not use a vacuum cleaner or brush to clean up the breakage, as these will just encourage the particles of mercury to circulate.
If any clothes have come into direct contact with the mercury from the broken CFL, they need to be disposed of. This does not apply to the clothes you are wearing when clearing up, and shoes which may have been directly contaminated can be cleaned with a wet paper towel or cloth (which you then have to dispose of securely).
Because of the way in which CFL light bulbs are manufactured, it is unlikely that you will have a problem removing the broken bulb from the base of the light fitting, however it is essential that the source of electric power is disconnected at the time and that you wear goggles and gloves for the operation. The broken bulb should be included with the adhesive tape and cleaning cloths in the sealable plastic bag or other container before making arrangements to dispose of the items.
Since July 2007, broken and used CFLs are classed as hazardous waste and have been subject to the requirements of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. You cannot by law dispose of broken CFLs in the bin or tip fragments into the sink. Retailers who sell items such as energy efficient light bulbs must provide information to the public about where they can take waste bulbs and other WEEE regulations. There are designated collection facilities in your local area, however if you need to seek advice about the correct way of disposing of a broken CFL you should consult a local tradesman or visit the government´s Hazardous Waste Forum, where there is the facility for you to key in your postcode and have region-specific advice available.
If you are unsure about the correct procedures and would prefer an experience local tradesman to remove the broken compact fluorescent bulb for you, please use the “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of the page or consult our Tradesmen´s Directory to contact a highly rated tradesman in your area.
Tags: CFL bulbs, CFL light bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulb, electric current, electrical circuit, electricity, Hazardous Waste, ventilation, waste recycling, WEEE Regulations
Posted in Electrical Work | Comments Off
 “Don´t Stay in the Dark” is one of the key phrases being used by the Energy Saving Trust to advise people of the money that can be saved through changing existing standard incandescent light bulbs to more fuel efficient energy saving bulbs. Up to 90% of the power consumed by “old fashioned” incandescent light bulbs generates heat, rather than light, and the new compact fluorescent light bulbs use a fraction of the electricity to generate the same amount of light – meaning lower electricity bills and a cooler home in the summer.
 For more than a decade, local electricians in London have been offering the option of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to homeowners changing their electrical lighting installations for something a little more modern. However due to the unattractive design of the initial range of CFL light bulbs, the time it used to take for them to reach full brightness and the addition cost of a CFL light bulb, their recommendations have been met with resistance by those conscious of the awkward shape these bulbs had, the safety issues surrounding a lack of instant light and the expense.
 As the government phases out incandescent light bulbs as part of its drive to reduce CO2 emissions*, more modern CFL light bulbs are becoming available through your local electrician in a range of styles with instant lighting, and coming down in price as well. In the recent “Pepsi Light Bulb Challenge” held at the Bluewater Shopping Centre, over half of the people who took part in the event could not tell the difference between the old-fashioned incandescent light bulb and a modern CF replacement.
* If every household in the UK replaced just three 60-watt bulbs with light efficient equivalents, the pollution savings would be like taking 3.5 million cars off the road.
How much can you save?
 By changing your existing light bulbs to more energy efficient replacement, not only are you helping the environment, you can save money too. Your local tradesman will be able to advise you on the exact amounts, but depending on the strength of the wattage and the length of time that your light is usually turned on, you will save (in electricity bills alone) between £3.00 and £6.00 per year per bulb. Furthermore, as each CFL light bulb lasts ten times as long as the old incandescent bulb, you could be saving a further £20.00 over the lifetime of the bulb.
 Many modern light fittings are now designed to incorporate CFL light bulbs and the latest bulbs can now be operated with a dimmer switch (which was not previously available) and are available for halogen lights in areas where a stronger light source is required. If you are planning a new electrical installation in your home and would like further information about the environmental and financial benefits of “making the switch”, you are welcome to use the “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of this page to ask your question, or use the Tradesmen´s Directory to contact a local electrician in London who will be happy to talk you through the changes in modern electrical lighting.
It costs nothing to ask, so “Don´t Stay in the Dark”!
Tags: CFL bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulb, dimmer switch, energy efficiency, energy saving, Energy Saving Trust, environment, incandescent light bulbs, light bulbs, save money
Posted in Save Money through Home Improvement | Comments Off
 The 100% Design Show comes to Earls Court between Thursday 23rd and Sunday 26th September, exhibiting interior design concepts from around the globe.
 Reminding us that “design is born from and for human needs and desires”, the show will feature many contemporary artists from the world of lighting – not only with finished products for sale, but also supplying the materials with which you can build your own creation and offering advice about how you can transform existing lighting installations in your home. There is also a section dedicated to “Futures” which will showcase many innovative lighting designs from the world of interior decoration.
The world of lighting is changing rapidly due to government initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions which encourage property owners to switch from traditional incandescent lighting to that provided by compact fluorescent light bulbs, and many of the exhibits on display will feature low voltage and energy saving lighting installations.
This is an excellent opportunity for homeowners and local tradesmen alike to witness the up-and-coming styles in domestic electrical lighting installations however, if you are tempted to visit the exhibition, it may be advisable to ensure that you are familiar with electrical building regulations (Part P) in order that you do not spend a fantastic sum of money on an eye-catching feature for your home which you are unable to install. Some low voltage lighting installations do require Part P Approval before using them because of their independent electrical transformers.
For more information on the show, exhibitors, opening times and details on how to get to the exhibition centre, please visit the 100% Design Show web site. For information relating to electrical lighting installations in the home, please contact one the highly rated tradesmen in our Tradesmen´s Directory or ask your question via our “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of the page.
Tags: Building Regulations Part P, CFL light bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulb, energy efficiency, energy saving, exhibition, interior decoration, light, low voltage lighting, Part P Approval
Posted in Painting & Decorating | Comments Off
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