RP Lighting + Fans

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

How to Use Ceiling Fans to Save Money and Stay Cool in Extreme Heat

Families all over the United States are affected by extreme weather every year. In the summer months, it’s imperative to have an effective way to stay cool in hot weather.

According to the Department of Energy, “If you use air conditioning to cool your home, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort. In temperate climates, or during moderately hot weather, ceiling fans may allow you to avoid using your air conditioner altogether. Install a fan in each room that needs to be cooled during hot weather.”

Consumer Reports found that “you can save 3 to 5 percent on air-conditioning costs for each degree you raise the thermostat. Using a ceiling fan, which costs little to run, can make you feel up to 4° F cooler.”

For areas 6’x6’ or smaller (nooks, stairwells, laundry rooms, etc.), 29” to 36” inch ceiling fans are best. There are many smaller fans on the market that are damp or wet rated, which means they can withstand frequent moisture exposure in places like bathrooms or outdoor patios.
For areas 9’x9’ or smaller (bedrooms, home offices, etc.), 40” to 48” ceiling fans are best. Make sure you do your research to see how loud these fans are! You’ll want a quiet one in a place where you sleep or work.
For standard rooms – 10’x10 or 16’x16’- 50” to 58” ceiling fans are the most effective. These rooms might be a large bedroom, or a living room. Powerful fans will be the most helpful in cooling a room of this size. Under-sizing fans for this type of space can mean you’re constantly running the fan on high speeds, which can increase energy consumption.

Friday, June 16, 2023

Vanity Lighting for Bathroom Safety

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Bathroom lights could pose a safety hazard in the event that you have an electrical short. One way to ensure you’re safe from electrical shocks and potential fires is by installing GFCI protection. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is required for any outlets or switches that could get wet while using your bathroom, including the bathtub area, sink, and shower stall.

Additionally, consider night lighting for your bathroom. When the eyes are adjusted to darkness, very few foot candles are needed. All this to help prevent stumbles and falls. A 5-watt nightlight is just right for most homes, according to lighting experts.

Bathroom lighting isn’t just for brightening up your space, but also helps you transition from day to night! When you want to wind down after a long day, harsh light can jolt you awake. Aside from a traditional ceiling light, consider recessed lighting or flush mount lighting to send soft light throughout the entire room rather than just one harsh light overhead.

Multiple lamp shade fixtures diffuse the lighting so it will provide a softer, less harsh look. Linear fixtures offer multiple lengths that can be mounted either horizontal or vertical and on the top or side or a mirror for even lighting where it is needed.

RP Lighting + Fans is Your Preferred Lighting Supplier

The lighting in a bathroom is especially important when you’re washing and grooming. Optimized lighting and daylighting are also important for our circadian rhythms, which can play a big role in overall health.

RP Lighting + Fans has the vanity lighting you need! We have quality products priced right to meet your lighting upgrade needs. As a premier lighting supplier, we also have knowledgeable associates who can assist you in choosing the appropriate products for your specific application.

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Vanity Lighting Design Principles

Looking for a new way to light up your home?

Aside from traditional overhead lights and table lamps, good lighting can really change the feeling of a room. You can take your bedroom and bathroom from dark and dingy to cozy and welcoming with the right lighting!

Bathroom lighting can influence your mood during different points of the day – energizing you in the morning or encouraging you to relax in the evening.

Good lighting in a bathroom is especially helpful when you’re washing and grooming. Optimized lighting and daylighting are also important for circadian rhythms, which can play a big role in your overall health.

Here’s some basic design principles to consider for your bathroom vanity lighting:

Keep lights as close to the mirror as possible and around as many sides as possible: Think Hollywood dressing rooms! Use the 2+1 rule: when you have one light on the left, one on the right, and one on the top. This provides even, shadow-free lighting.
Ambient Lighting Needs: Bathroom lighting isn’t just for brightening up your space, but also helps you transition from day to night! When you want to wind down after a long day, harsh light can jolt you awake. Aside from a traditional ceiling light, consider recessed lighting or flush mount lighting to send soft light throughout the entire room rather than just one harsh light overhead.

RP Lighting + Fans is Your Preferred Lighting Supplier

Monday, May 15, 2023

How to Choose the Right Emergency Lighting

Your employees are the source of your company’s well-being and productivity. Additionally, as a business owner, your employees’ safety should be of the utmost importance to you!

You want your emergency and exit lights to be the best they can be. There are several ways you can give your emergency and exit lights a boost to make them the most efficient:

Meet all requirements by your local building code and OSHA – Every sign has to say “exit” and the letters have to be at least 6 inches high. The sign must be clearly visible, and additionally, you should check with your local building code to see if your signs comply.
Did you know exit lights aren’t always red? You can also get them in green, and in some cases, orange. Some states or municipalities specify a color, and you should check with your building code to see if you have to change the color of your lights before your next inspection.
Consider switching to LEDs! Highly energy-efficient, LEDs in your emergency lights use only 1.5 watts for single-face signs. Illumination from LED light also travels farther.

RP Lighting + Fans Has the Emergency/Exit Lighting You Need for Your Business

Not sure where to start or overwhelmed by the options available? Talk to one of our experts! Get specific emergency lighting for both indoor and outdoor applications, remote heads (for specific models), specialty die cast, and more for your building.

We have sales reps across the country to help you get the perfect solution for your application. Contact us today to find out more!

Monday, May 1, 2023

Emergency Lighting in Your Building

Have you noticed that there aren’t enough emergency and exit lights in your building?

Do you have enough lights, but they don’t work properly?

Emergency lighting is required to illuminate areas of your building when things go wrong, for example:

When the normal electrical supply is interrupted by a utility outage
If there is a fire or electrical failure within the building
To light pathways and exits that lead out of the building in case of an evacuation

Your employees are the source of your company’s well-being and productivity. Additionally, as a business owner, your employees’ safety should be of the utmost importance to you!

You want your emergency and exit lights to be the best they can be. There are several ways you can give your emergency and exit lights a boost to make them the most efficient.

Find out more on our website!

RP Lighting + Fans Has the Emergency/Exit Lighting You Need for Your Business

Not sure where to start or overwhelmed by the options available? Talk to one of our experts! Get specific exits signs and emergency units for both indoor and outdoor applications, remote heads (for specific models), specialty die cast, and more for your building.

We have sales reps across the country to help you get the perfect solution for your application. Contact us today to find out more!

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Applications for Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting is one of the most versatile lighting options available for both homes and businesses.

Recessed lighting, also called “cans”, “high hats”, or “spotlights”, “pucks”, can be used for down lighting or wall lighting and can also provide general ambient light in residential and commercial spaces.

Applications for Recessed Lighting

This type of lighting is used in a variety of ways for both residential and commercial buildings. It can be used for ambient or general lighting, and there are several types of fixtures that are available for specific needs:

LED is the primary light source and these recessed lighting options are energy efficient, have a very long life, and can be installed in smaller diameter apertures and smaller plenum spaces.
These fixtures also employ different styled lenses to change the direction and shape the light is emitted, which can affect the overall design.

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Recessed Lighting for Your Home

Recessed lighting is one of the most versatile lighting options available for both homes and businesses.

This type of lighting can be used to:

Increase the amount of lighting in a room.
As an accent to draw attention to artwork.
Open up spaces so they feel bigger.
Get rid of bulky, traditional light fixtures.

What Makes Up the Components?

A recessed light consists of two components – the housing, and the trim. The housing is what’s recessed into the ceiling plus the mounting frame or structure and other electrical parts. Many times, it also includes the “light engine” - the LED light source and driver.

The trim is what people in the room can see – the finishing that gives the light its aesthetic with different finishes that can blend in with the room. The trim sometimes includes the “light engine” and can also be used to direct the beam if you’re using a recessed light as a spotlight.