Three Types of Kitchen Lights
By Kevin Wynn

Kitchen lights can highlight a specific area, illuminate the entire room or give you the light necessary to work with. There are generally three types of lighting for the kitchen; general, highlight or accent and task lighting. Each type of lighting allows you to utilize the light available for specific uses. For instance, general lighting is used for illuminating the entire room. This form of kitchen lights may not be appropriate for all kitchens. Some may require other forms of lighting such as task lighting so you are better able to prepare foods and cook. These can be energy efficient lights as well, saving you money over other forms of lighting.

Energy efficient lighting can come in the form of the type of lighting used or in the type of bulbs used. For instance, fluorescent bulbs are generally used for under the cabinet lighting. They are not only energy efficient but are a softer light than incandescent lighting. Many of the ceiling mount fixtures used to require incandescent bulbs but today you can also use fluorescent bulbs in this style of fixture as well. To utilize fluorescent bulbs in traditional fixtures simply use fluorescent bulbs as replacement bulbs when your incandescent burns out. They last longer and provide a softer light.

Some incandescent bulbs are necessary depending on the fixtures. Track lighting is designed to use low wattage incandescent bulbs. The casement used in designing the track lighting does not allow enough space for the fluorescent bulbs. Storm lights that come on when your electricity goes out use halogen bulbs which usually use more wattage and provide more light over a general area. Storm lights are a good choice for kitchen lights because they can provide you with the light needed to keep check on your refrigerator and freezer in the event of a power outage.

The cost of installing energy efficient lighting depends on the style of fixtures used. Some fixtures require more work to install than others such as recessed lighting. The casement they fit into must be installed in a hole in the ceiling. The price of the light may not be much but the cost of installation may increase the price substantially. Replacement of the receptacles could be cheaper in the event that the works of recessed lighting ceases to function. A cheap alternative to chrome or stainless steel fixtures is vinyl. Vinyl fixtures are cheaper to purchase and easily maintained without the worry of corrosion, rusting, or shock when changing bulbs.

Kitchen lights are necessary in order to showcase special areas and prepare meals. You can implement energy efficient in almost any lighting fixture available with the exception of specialty light like a storm light. Whether you choose pendant lights, ceiling mount, track lighting, task lighting or general lighting, your kitchen will look and feel completely different. Carefully choose your casements to ensure they are right for your kitchen and décor because some may not be right for certain locations such as above a sink or center island.

For more information about Kitchen Lights, pay a visit to http://www.kitchenremodelingideasonline.com/

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We’re not talking about emerald, forest, lime, fern or olive – we’re talking GREEN! Of late, the word green has come to symbolize environmental protection and those products and procedures that are environmentally friendly. In the construction and remodeling industries, green building products and practices have become an industry of their own. A green home can mean energy efficiency, ecological benefits, health considerations and will provide long-term cost savings, comfort, and safety.

The kitchen alone is responsible for nearly half of a home’s energy consumption. Remodeling your kitchen provides a perfect opportunity to improve your homes energy efficiency as well as make it a healthier place for your family and your environment. A green kitchen is an inherently brighter and well ventilated workspace thanks to the numerous operable windows that provide light as well as heat. Another way to create healthier air in your kitchen is to choose products with low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds.) VOC’s diminish air quality and can be hazardous to your family’s health; many cabinet manufacturers use a VOC called urea formaldehyde.

A special line of cabinetry, Nature’s Collection by Tedd Wood, has options for water-based and low VOC finishes. This line is also the highest certified green line of cabinetry available anywhere; it has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as well as the Rainforest Alliance. Ensuring the safety of the forests is also possible by choosing flooring and countertop surfaces made from sustainable resources: Bamboo, cork, wheatboard and eucalyptus as well as recycled glass and concrete make beautiful design statements in a kitchen.

Another important element is a green kitchen is storage; special sorting spaces are created for recyclables and compostables. Making space for this in the kitchen reduces your amount of household waste and the compost can help you grow your own organic herbs for cooking. Working with a professional designer who is in tune with your desire to create a green kitchen can be very helpful with this space planning! A green kitchen also has appliances which are rated for energy efficiency and have water-saving features. Did you know you can go even beyond “Energy Star?” Other things like induction cooktops, versus traditional electric radiant or gas, waste less heat and takes less time. It’s rated at 90% energy efficient versus the traditional 50-60%. Don’t forget the high-efficiency water heater in your remodeling process as it affects the kitchen water supply along with the rest of the house.

There is a lot to consider when remodeling your home; add on top of that your desire to do it green and you have even more to think about. Working with a professional design/build firm may just be a sanity saver, and will also help keep you up to date on the latest products and trends.

Ed Cholfin, Home-Medic President, CAPS, PMP and Kitchen and Bathroom Designer. “As a Home-Medic my Hippocratic duty is to ensure you receive the ultimate level of service while providing the quality construction necessary to complete your renovation project; ultimately helping to bring your family closer together.” Visit AK’s website to learn more about Green kitchens, kitchen design and all other home renovations!

Office: 1-866-282-6231
Fax: 1-888-539-6734
Cell: 770-335-2694
Email: Ed@AKCompleteHomeRenovations.com
Visit our Website: http://www.AKatlanta.com

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Learn more on environmentally friendly kitchen ideas for your home

As eco-conscious habits become more and more part of our collective culture, many people are taking to making their own homes more environmentally friendly. One of the best places to start the eco-journey is in the kitchen.

One of the biggest ways you can change the eco-friendliness of your kitchen is by being more aware of what you bring into it on a weekly basis in the form of groceries. Most North Americans buy a lot of pre-made, overly packaged foods every week; the majority of product packaging ends up dumped in landfills after each garbage day.

One of the best things that you can do for yourself and for the environment is to buy food that’s as close to its natural state as you can. This isn’t to say that you should buy raw wheat grains and grind them yourself, but you should buy uncooked, unseasoned meats and raw fruits and vegetables and cook them yourself. Not only will there be less in the way of packaging, but there will be less salt and preservatives going into YOU. Make sure to compost your uncooked, non-meat food scraps as well!

What you use to carry your groceries home makes an impact as well. Many grocery stores across the continent are not offering plastic bags to patrons any longer, instead actively encouraging them to purchase inexpensive reusable bags, bring recycled bags, or offering a biodegradable alternative. If you like a higher quality of reusable bag, check out your local shops or look online; some companies even offer a reusable produce bag for your fruits and veggies.

Another great way to green up your kitchen is by buying only really good quality cooking tools that will last a long time. A few good quality stainless steel pots and pans, a good cast iron frying pan, and some sturdy wooden utensils can last you a lifetime if you take care of them. Avoid Teflon coated pans as they have a limited life-time and there are some health concerns over the use of Teflon. Quality, energy-efficient appliances will help make your kitchen more eco-friendly as well.

The finishing touch on any green kitchen is, of course, in the cleaning; make sure that you don’t use harsh corrosive chemicals when you’re cleaning your eco-kitchen.

Once you’ve greened up your kitchen, it’s easy to move into greening the rest of your home, one room at a time!

Everything you need to know about homes in Santa Cruz is right here at MySantaCruzRealEstate.com. Lauren Spencer, Coldwell Banker Realtor will be glad to answer your questions about Jewel Box CA real estate.

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learn more about environmentally friendly kitchens