Dimmer Switches

In today's world, energy efficiency is more critical than ever, and lighting plays a significant role. Lighting consumes a substantial amount of electricity in households and commercial buildings, so choosing the right lighting solution can not only help lower your electricity bills but also reduce your carbon footprint.With so many options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the best energy-efficient lighting solutions for your needs. In this article, we will outline the 5 top lighting tips and solutions that we have found can help you save money, conserve energy and reduce your impact on the environment. These tips are:Invest in LED lighting solutionsKnow your wattage and lumensUse smart lighting for energy efficiencyUse timed lightsKnow the different types of lighting and their impact on energy1. Invest in LED lighting solutionsDespite what you’ve read elsewhere, LEDs still are one of the best energy-efficient lighting solutions you can find on the market.LED (which stands for light-emitting diode) solutions convert almost all the energy they consume into light, with a very little amount wasted. This is in contrast to traditional incandescent bulbs, which convert only about 10% of the energy they consume into light and the remaining 90% wasted as heat.LED lighting solutions also have a longer lifespan than traditional lighting solutions. This means that they need to be replaced less often, reducing the overall amount of energy needed to produce and transport replacement bulbs.LED vs fluorescent light bulbsWhat about fluorescent light bulbs? Aren’t they also energy efficient?Yes, compact fluorescent light bulbs (also known as  CFLs) are also an effective way to conserve energy. But they simply aren’t as efficient as LEDs and, in any case, the drawbacks of CFLs outweigh their benefits.CFLSs take longer to light up and contain a toxic chemical called mercury, which can be dangerous if the bulb breaks. Inhaling mercury has harmful effects on humans and, in the worst cases, can be fatal. If you do use a fluorescent bulb, make sure to dispose of it properly and be careful not to break it.2. Know your wattage and lumensIf you’re going to invest in a lighting solution, it’s important to understand the terminology associated with them.Wattage refers to the unit of power a bulb uses, indicating how much energy it consumes. The higher the wattage, the more energy the bulb consumes.On the other hand, lumens measure the amount of light emitted by a bulb. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light. Keep in mind that newer bulbs, like LEDs, are measured in lumens,  whereas incandescent bulbs are typically still measured in watts.Let’s look at an example. An incandescent light bulb may have a label that reads "60W" and "600 Lumens". This means it uses 60 watts of energy to produce a brightness of 600 lumens. However, if an LED bulb is labelled "60W Equivalent, Efficient 9W" and "750 Lumens," this indicates that it consumes only 9 watts of power, but provides an even brighter light than the incandescent bulb. This means that you get better lighting and impact on energy usage.Where can you find the wattage and lumen information of your bulbs? Well, you can find them on your bulb’s packaging (if you haven’t thrown the box out). However, if you no longer have the box, you can buy a new bulb and check the box. Or you can simply look your bulb up online to find the information.Buy Ortona Single Matt Black Bathroom Wall Lamp3. Use smart lighting for energy efficiencyA smart lighting system can be a great way to increase energy efficiency, whether it’s for your home or your business. Below, we’ve outlined three examples of these systems that can help you save on your next power bill. Since most of these methods can be controlled remotely (i.e. you can control your lights from your smartphone or tablet), you can make sure that lights are turned off even when you're not home.Motion sensorsSmart lighting systems can be set up with motion sensors that detect when a room is occupied. This means that lights will automatically turn on when someone enters a room and turn off when the room is empty, ensuring that lights aren't left on unnecessarily and saving energy.By investing in a high-quality occupancy and vacancy detector system, you can conserve energy so that your appliances only activate when people are detected in the vicinity.Geo-fencingGeo-fencing is a type of smart lighting that has a location-based control feature. This automatically turns off your lights once it detects that your smartphone is far away enough from your home.This is an excellent tool to consider, because it can also improve the security of your home or your business by ensuring that lights are turned on when you're arriving and turned off when you leave.DimmersMany smart lighting systems allow you to control the brightness of your lights. By dimming your lights, you can reduce the amount of energy they use while still providing enough light for the task at hand.By investing in a high-quality dimming system, you can effectively replace your light switches entirely and boost your energy savings by up to 65%. Not to mention, dimmers are perfect for customising the ambience in your rooms.4. Use timed lights for energy efficiencyTimed lights are an effective way to improve energy efficiency. By setting a schedule for your home lighting, you can avoid wasting electricity when no one is in a room or during daylight hours.This not only helps you save money on your energy bill but also reduces your carbon footprint. Additionally, timed lights for energy efficiency can provide a sense of security by giving the impression that someone is home, even when you're away. Many smart lighting systems offer easy-to-use scheduling features, allowing you to customise your lighting based on your daily routine.You may also use timed lights to decrease your utility expenses. Some examples of timed lights include:Time Delay Switches. Also referred to as time lag switches, these are able to turn on your appliances for a certain pre-set amount of time, so they can switch off at a time you know you won’t be using it. Plug In Timers. This timer allows you to supply power to a mains-connected deliver at certain times of the day that you choose, allowing you to remain completely controller of your power supply 24/7.All these products help you save power as much as possible, so you never waste the wattage of your precious energy.Buy Zeppo 400 Matt White Pendant5. Know the different types of lighting and their impact on energyLighting and its impact on energy usage are intimately connected, as lighting is one of the major contributors to energy usage. Hence, it's safe to say that improving the efficiency of lighting is crucial for reducing energy consumption.There are four main types of lighting:incandescent,fluorescent, LED, andHalogen lamps.Incandescent bulbsThese are the oldest and least energy-efficient types of bulb. They work by heating a filament to produce light, which results in a lot of wasted energy in the form of heat.In fact, only around 10% of the energy consumed by an incandescent bulb is actually used to produce light, while the remaining energy is wasted as heat.As a result, incandescent bulbs are being phased out in many countries due to their low energy efficiency.Fluorescent bulbsThese are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs, but less efficient than LEDs. Fluorescent bulbs work by ionising mercury vapour inside the bulb, which produces ultraviolet light that is then converted into visible light by a phosphorescent coating on the bulb.While they use less energy than incandescent bulbs and have a longer lifespan, they do contain toxic mercury (as mentioned above) and can take longer to turn on and warm up.LED lightingLEDs are by far the most energy-efficient type of bulb and are rapidly gaining popularity due to their energy savings and long lifespan. LEDs work by using a semiconductor to convert electricity into light, with very little energy wasted as heat.LEDs use at least 75% less energy than their incandescent counterparts and may last up to 25 times longer. They can also help you reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40kg per year.Additionally, LEDs do not contain any toxic materials and can be easily controlled using smart technology to maximise energy efficiency. Using LED smart lighting for energy efficiency is a meaningful, long-term investment that will help you to reduce personal expenses and environmental impact.Halogen lampsHalogen lighting is essentially an enhanced version of incandescent lighting. When it comes to the quality of light emitted, it is just as good as regular incandescent lighting.They are a little more efficient than incandescent bulbs, but not by much. They are still largely inefficient when looking at its lumen-per-watt ratio.From September 2021, halogen light bulbs were banned in the UK. This move was projected to cut 1.26 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in emissions.Looking for an energy-efficient lighting solution?There is no doubt that lighting plays a significant role in energy efficiency. With so many options available in the market, choosing the best energy-efficient lighting solutions can help not only lower electricity bills but also reduce carbon footprint.By making small changes, such as choosing the right bulbs, scheduling lighting, using motion sensors and investing in smart lighting, we can all make a difference in conserving energy, maximising energy efficiency and reducing our impact on the environment.Buy Park Lane Table Lamp Switched in BronzeAt Sparks Direct, we offer a wide range of high-quality energy-efficient lighting solutions, suitable for both homes and businesses. If you need any advice on what solutions are best for you, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re open Monday to Friday, available at 020 7263 8007. We look forward to helping you find the perfect lighting for you!

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of living in a clean, safe environment. The air we breathe in our homes and workplaces can drastically affect our health and wellbeing.Pollutants such as dust, pollen and viruses can sneak into our homes at any given minute and cause a host of illnesses. If you’re reading this article, you may be wondering how to create a healthy living space for your loved ones. Below, we’ll look into how you can create a healthy living space in your home generally, and also through using the right lighting and ventilation systems.How to create a healthy living space So, generally speaking, how do you go about building a healthy indoor space? Here are the steps you need to consider:1. Personalise your living spaceWe spend most of our lives inside. So it’s absolutely essential to select an indoor space that reflects who you are. Whether you’re working from home, lounging around or having guests over, it’s those personal touches that really makes home a home.You can personalise your home by placing pictures and furnishings you love around the home, particular fabrics you like and ornaments you’ve collected throughout your travels.2. Purchase houseplantsWhy leave the great outdoors … outdoors? You can bring the outdoors into your home! Invest in a variety of quality houseplants to make your home feel a little more natural. Houseplants come in all different shapes and sizes, so there’s truly no limit here.Having plants around the home can also purify the air around you, so everyday you can breathe a little better, knowing that less toxins are circling in the air you breathe.3. Take advantage of lightingEvery home needs a good lighting source, whether that’s through natural light or artificial light. Lighting has been known to alter mood, and can transform negative vibes into positive ones. Having a home full of bright light can help lift your spirits and keep you feeling amazing.Below, we’ll look into how you can use lighting to create a healthy living space in more detail, so stay tuned.4. Invest in a ventilation systemSelecting the right ventilation system that’s appropriate for the size and layout of your home is a critical first step. It is important to ensure that the system you choose has sufficient airflow to effectively remove stale air and pollutants from your home.The ECO dMEV (Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation) system, for example, is a ventilation system that uses fans to extract stale air and moisture from a particular room and replace it with fresh air. These systems are designed to be decentralised, meaning that they are installed in individual rooms rather than being centrally located. Traditional ventilation systems rely on natural airflow to circulate air throughout the building. This can be difficult to control, particularly in larger buildings with multiple rooms. ECO dMEV, however, offers more control over airflows, as each room has its own fan that can be adjusted to suit its specific requirements. This means that air can be directed to where it is needed most, ensuring that all areas of the building receive adequate ventilation.How ventilation systems can help you create a healthier living spaceVentilation systems offer several benefits, including improved air quality, increased energy efficiency, and better control over indoor airflows. We’ll outline some of these benefits in more detail below.Buy Envirovent Silent Fans1. Improved air qualityPoor indoor air quality can lead to a range of health problems, including allergies, respiratory issues, headaches, and fatigue.Ventilation systems can help improve air quality by extracting pollutants and moisture from the air, reducing the risk of health problems. They are designed to run continuously, ensuring a constant supply of fresh air throughout the home.2. Remove condensationCondensation is what happens when the air reaches a certain level that it no longer can hold in moisture. That’s why we see our windows and mirrors ‘condensing’.The problem with this is that it is responsible for creating mould throughout the home, which can lead to nasty smells and even health issues. A robust ventilation system can help you eliminate that condensation, converting a stagnant atmosphere into a fresh and healthy one.3. Alleviate hay fever symptomsHay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is caused by an allergic reaction to airborne allergens such as pollen, dust, and mold spores. These allergens can accumulate in indoor spaces and trigger hay fever symptoms.Ventilation systems can help reduce the concentration of allergens in indoor air by increasing the circulation of fresh air, in particular by exchanging indoor air with outdoor air. This can dilute the concentration of indoor allergens and is particularly important during peak allergy seasons when pollen counts are high.How to use lighting to create a healthy living spaceIn 2021, a systematic review was conducted on papers discussing the impact of lighting in the home on the health of the inhabitants. It was clear that poor lighting can negatively affect people's health and that lighting in general is a key aspect of housing quality.Home lighting affects both the aesthetics and functionality of a home, and can have a significant impact on mood, productivity, and overall well-being. Adequate lighting helps people regulate their normal day-to-day activities and is important for keeping the home safe.Buy Dunbar Wall LightBelow, we’ll outline how you can use lighting to create a healthier living space in your home.1. Consider natural lightNatural light is an excellent source of illumination that can improve mood and well-being. Consider installing large windows or skylights in areas that can receive natural light to help reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day. Just make sure to have UV-protective films installed to prevent sun damage.2. Use energy-efficient lightingEnergy-efficient light bulbs and fixtures will help you reduce energy consumption and lower energy bills. LED bulbs are a good option for home lighting as they are long-lasting and consume much less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.3. Install lighting controlsLighting controls, such as dimmers and timers, can help regulate the amount of light in a room and reduce energy waste. They can also help create a more relaxing and comfortable atmosphere.4. Layer lightsLayered lighting can create a more comfortable environment that's suited to your specific needs. Experiment with a combination of ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting to find what your body needs for the day.Looking for more ways to create a healthy living space at home?Now that you know how to create a healthy living space, you can be confident that you know what to look for in choosing your lighting fixtures, bulbs, and home ventilation systems.By taking into account the size of your home, your needs for different rooms, and the types of lighting you require, it is highly possible to create a healthy indoor space that allows you to thrive while promoting your well-being.Here at Sparks Direct, we are committed to contributing towards healthier living spaces with the ECO dMEV, offering continuous ruling ventilation for the home, as well as a vast selection of energy-efficient LED lighting and Dimming systems.

Many people don't realise how essential light dimmers are until they encounter a problem with their lighting. Whether it’s trying to set the mood for a romantic dinner or creating the perfect ambiance for a party, the right light can make all the difference. But choosing the right dimmer switch can be tricky, as there are many different types on the market. To help you out, we've compiled a list of the top considerations to keep in mind when picking a dimmer switch. Keep reading to learn more about finding the perfect dimming system for your needs.Type Of Light BulbsWhen choosing the right dimmer switch for your home, it's important to consider the type of light bulb you'll be using. Dimmable light bulbs work fine on a non-dimmable circuit; however, non-dimmable light bulbs will not work on a dimmable circuit. So be sure to check the packaging or product listing pages to see if the light bulb you're considering is dimmable. With the right light bulb and dimmer switch combination, you can create the perfect ambiance in any room of your home.Type Of DimmersWhile it may seem like all dimmer switches are the same, there are actually two different types of dimmers: leading edge and trailing edge. The type of dimmer you choose can have a big impact on your lighting system, so it's important to understand the difference between the two. Leading edge dimmers reduce the A/C (alternating current) cycle at the input waveform's leading edge, while trailing edge dimmers do so at the trailing edge. Leading-edge dimmers are more commonly used with incandescent and mains voltage halogen light bulbs, while trailing edge dimmers are typically used with electronic low voltage transformers (ELV) that have capacitive loads on the primary circuit. So, when you're looking for the right dimmer switch, make sure to take into account the type of light bulbs you'll be using. That way, you can be sure to choose a switch that's compatible with your bulbs and will result in the perfect level of light for your space.Buy Blanco Adjustable Downlight in White PlasterCalculate The Total LoadWhen you're choosing a dimmer switch, it's important to calculate the total load to make sure the switch can support the number of LED light bulbs you're using. To do this, divide the minimum and maximum load of the dimmer by 10. For example, if a dimmer is rated 200W-600W, the minimum load would be 20W and the maximum load would be 60W. This means that when using LED light bulbs, the load must be between 20W and 60W. To find out how many bulbs can be supported by a dimmer, add up the wattages of all the bulbs. For example, if you have 5 bulbs of 5 watts each, that would be a total of 25 watts - which is greater than the dimmer's minimum load. So in this case, the dimmer could support up to 12 LED light bulbs. By calculating the total load before choosing a dimmer switch, you can ensure that your LED light bulbs will work properly and provide optimal illumination.ConclusionWhen it comes to dimmer switches, there are a lot of things to consider. You need to pick the right type of light bulb, the right type of dimmer and make sure you calculate the total load. With all these factors in mind, it can be tough to know which switch is right for your home. That's why we're here to help. At Sparks Direct, we have a wide range of dimmers and sockets that will suit your every need. So what are you waiting for? Contact us today and let us help you bring the perfect mood to your living space.

At Sparks Electrical we sell both dimming systems and switching systems, so to speak about this matter it's not an easy thing to do. Both the switches and the dimmers are very useful, and they have particular applications where they are used. In some places, you can't use a dimming system, while in other applications the most recommended system is a dimming system. Let us explore this matter together. Advantages and Disadvantages of a Switching System The most popular way to control the lighting, ventilation, and heating at home is with a switch. Everyone knows what a switch is, and whenever you enter a dark room you reach out to switch ON the light - it's a switch that you expect to touch! Today lighting accounts for up to 20% of a household's yearly electricity consumption, and in commercial buildings, up to 40%. It is good to make sure that you save energy, no matter what your preference for the looks of your switch are.... Some of the advantages of a switching system are: it is simple and clear, you don't have to worry about the light being ON when you turn it OFF, it is standard, and it allows you to turn the lights completely OFF or ON by a click of a switch. Some of the disadvantages are that they can't be remotely controlled (inconvenience), they can't lower the light intensity (can't dim), and if you forget the lights ON, precious electricity goes to waste (our experience tells us we have forgotten the lights ON too many times). As we are all endeavoring to save energy both in the domestic and commercial environments, switching systems are becoming more of a problem than a solution.Buy Switching Systems at Sparks Advantages and Disadvantages of a Dimming SystemThe dimming systems are of many kinds, but in general, they help you dim the lights anywhere between 0 and 99 percent. In other words, you can dim the lights in the living room, the bedroom, the kitchen, the office, etc. so as to not have a full bright light but a softer light, even creating a warm and cosy atmosphere for certain occasions... And with the Lutron Grafik Eye 3000 and Grafik QS (read more about them here and here), you have control both over the blinds and the lights, enabling you to create the atmosphere you desire in your own home or office! Some of the advantages of the dimming systems are: Dimming the lights can help the light bulbs last longer. You can save energy by a simple dimming of the lights, even though human eye can't notice the luminosity has decreased. Helps you set the mood in the room according to the occasion. Allows you to control more than one light fitting and enables you to "set scenes" for your daily routine or special occasions. Can function as a switch or as a dimmer, as needed. Some of the few disadvantages of the dimming systems are: you will have to pay a higher price initially (which will be recovered over time), you need a specialist to install them, you need to consult the manual and work on the preset scenes as needed, and... - nothing else!Buy Dimming Systems at Sparks Dimming Systems vs. Switching Systems In conclusion, the dimming systems are not only good for your comfort and satisfaction, but they also help you save energy. If you talk about the dimmer switches from Heritage Brass or Forbes and Lomax, they allow you to dim the light from the wall dimmer. But if you install the Lutron Dimming Systems, the benefits are exponentially increased, from the control of sets of lights to the preset scenes for the daily activities and the scheduling of the light scenes in the home/office as needed! You will no longer have to worry about switching ON or OFF the lights: it's all memorized in the Lutron control panel, and it works by itself as preset!

The Lutron Grafik Eye 3000 is one of the most popular and most affordable single-room lighting control solutions, allowing you to create "lighting scenes" as needed! Many businesses use it in a commercial environments like restaurants, bars, pubs, conference venues, meeting rooms, offices, etc. But there are two places where you would have never thought this system can be used, and today we will tell you why. Grafik Eye 3000 - Not Only for Commercial Venues If you love certain lighting scenarios at home and you don't mind investing a little (not much) in it, you will notice that the Grafik Eye 3000 will not empty your bank account. Rather, it will revolutionize the room in your home where you install it. Really! We have several customers who installed this system and they are extremely happy with its settings. The bottom line is, the Lutron Grafik Eye 3000 system is NOT only for businesses or commercial environments - it can also be installed at home, and it will help you adjust the mood and set the atmosphere as you desire! Here's what Lutron says concerning the Domestic Installation of the Grafik Eye 3000, Preset scenes and programmable fade times create a true movie theater experience with smooth transition between lighting scenes. GRAFIK Eye 3000 integrates with audio/video, home automation systems, controllable shades, and projection screens available from other manufacturers. Two Places You Never Thought You Could Install Grafik Eye 3000 We asked our consultants over the counter in our showroom, What are Two Rooms at Home that People Install the Grafik Eye 3000 in? Without a pause to think about it, they all confirmed - the living room and the kitchen! It makes perfect sense, doesn't it? When you are cooking, you need a certain kind of light in the kitchen, and when you're eating around the table or just reading something, you need a different setting. In a similar way, in the living room you do NOT need all the lights on at the same time, and turning some ON while making sure others are OFF is such a pain! Why not set some scenes like watching a movie scene, reading a book scene, guest scene, etc...? Grafik Eye 3000 can create a dramatic environment while drastically reducing the energy expenses in your own kitchen or living room! How does this System Work? Full technical specs and details about how to install and set up the Lutron Grafik Eye 3000 can be found online at Sparks, but in brief, you can create certain scenes both for your room or for a whole house lighting system. You can create paths of lights from one main living space to another, set up different lighting for food preparation or evening dining for two, etc at the touch of a button on the main control panel, which switches to the set up scene.Buy Dimming Systems at Sparks You can define and preset the lighting scenes for multiple uses - in a very simple way! Then, you can control all the lights in the room (or the house) without remembering the settings - either at the click of a button or via the wireless infrared remote control. Tip: The most recommended systems are the 2-zone or 4-zone Grafik Eye 3000 - check them out! Where do You prefer to install the Grafik Eye 3000 System? Or, where Will You Install it after you Buy it? Let us know in the comments. Pictures credit: Lutron site here and here.

When it comes to lighting design, there's a common dilemma in the hospitality industry. Restaurants, public houses, bars, and other establishments often require a high level of lighting - which means a lot of lights. At the same time, those lights need to be dimmed in the evenings. Why is that? Why do restaurants and bars so often dim their lights at night when often they are at "full blast" during the day? We've asked around, and nobody seems sure. There are two common theories, though: Why You Should Dim Your Restaurant's Lights One theory goes that dimmer lights create a more relaxed, comfortable, even a romantic atmosphere (although conspiracy theorists claim it's just to increase customer turnover and thus increase sales). There is also the contrast theory, which goes that if your customers are coming in out of the dark, it can take a while for their eyes to properly adjust to bright lights - so they couldn't even read the menu! Whichever theory you like, you'll need to keep the level of light even throughout the place to make sure there aren't any spots that are too bright or too dark - which can often be a pain. And in hospitality, it's important to be able to control that easily from a single location. A High-Load Dimmer Switch for 1500W of Lighting The Mode Lighting SD1500 is a high-load slide dimmer switch with a maximum load capacity of 1500W on a single switch. For lighting, the switch can also operate neon and low-voltage lighting. This means it can dim a lot of lights from behind-the-scenes. 1500W means 25 60W bulbs - or about 136 11W CFLs! The lights are dimmed without flicker to ensure your customers' (and employees') comfort and enjoyment. Once installed, adjusting the light level is easy with the clear white-on-black legends and large slider for simple but precise manual control. Even better: the SD1500 can be fitted in a standard two-gang surface box, so a refurbishment needn't be a long and drawn-out process.Best Dimmer for Restaurant Lights

Lifehacker pointed us toward a guide to hacking your wall light switches to work with a universal remote control. And this just as Lighting Magazine predicts the lighting control industry to become an $8bn one by 2018. Commenter 'jnite' bemoans the whole situation: In my day we had to get up and actually walk to the lights to turn them on and off... through six feet of snow.... walking uphill going and coming back. As neat an idea as we read via LifeHacker, it requires a bit of technical know-how and an afternoon messing around with programming code. Wireless Dimming is Possible With Less Hassle  At Sparks Electrical we already have something like this: the Rako range of wireless dimming switches and controls (as well as the necessary drivers) are available with no coding experience necessary! Simply install the dimming system and control the light level with the infrared control. What's more, Rako's functionality extends beyond what you can do with a clunky universal remote. The Rako system allows the user to set 'scenes' - preset light levels for an individual room, and store up to 64 of them in memory. The remote control can recall these at any time with a user-friendly color display and 7-button operation. Why get up and go all the way to the wall when you can control the lighting in your home with a remote control?Wireless Dimmers at Sparks

One of our favourite blogs - Gizmodo - listed 17 common heating and lighting mistakes, as well as some quick fixes and general tips - some of which are of interest to our readers. The article as a whole has some great advice for saving money, including some tricks about heating and lighting systems specifically: Overlooking LEDs. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are sometimes a better choice than CFLs. They don't contain mercury, aren't affected by frequency of use, and use less energy than CFLs. Plus, some pretty appealing products are hitting the market. Using incandescent bulbs without a dimmer. Dimming incandescents reduces the amount of electricity they use. "The bulbs last longer and use less energy," Winters says. Under utilizing your ceiling fan. A ceiling fan keeps air circulating. In the winter, the fan pushes the warm air down from the ceiling to help keep your warm. Most ceiling fans have the option to change the direction of the fan's rotation. Clockwise-rotating blades create an updraft that pushes all the hot air trapped at the ceiling downwards, into the actual living space. Not adjusting the thermostat at night. When you're away from home for more than four hours, or tucked in at night, turn down the heat to save a few bucks. Programmable thermostats can do this for you. Some can even think of this on their own. But one of their tips set off a few alarm bells among the staff at Sparks Electrical. Gizmodo offers the following advice payday loan lenders on whether leaving a CFL bulb on uses less energy than turning it on or off. "They're really not made to be turned on and off repeatedly," says Brian Winters, co-owner of Winters Electric, Inc., in Colorado Springs, Colo. "They are designed to be turned on and left on." We would like to point out that Mythbusters debunked this old wives' tale a few years ago. They found that a standard CFL bulb would need to be turned off for just 0.015 seconds in order to save energy. Thanks to the 21st Century's finest minds we can safely say that it is always worth turning off the bulb. Thanks to Gizmodo for an excuse to watch Mythbusters in the office. It's true that turning a CFL lightbulb off and on repeatedly might shorten its lifespan. But the cost of replacing the bulb is far less than the cost of the energy bills you will receive should you leave them on from now until April. Read the whole article over at the Gizmodo UK site for more tips and tricks to save money this winter, and let us know about any more in the comments. It's getting cold over here and we have spent all of our money on chocolate.LED Lamps at Best Prices