I’d like to thank GE Lighting for providing superb information about the benefits of lighting design and energy conservation that I can pass along. We are featuring GE Educational lighting design videos you can view for free at www.metrocrete.tv. You will learn how to save money with your energy bills by using the right bulbs and add value to your property.

Accent Lighting

Photo courtesy of GE Lighting

From all the content that you read in the pages of Metrocrete you know that decorative concrete and plasters have tremendous features and benefits for interiors and exteriors. Concrete is made of natural elements like sand, water, lime and ash which is influencing green energy efficient house plans.

Ambient, task and accent lighting at work! Courtesy of GE Lighting

The easiest and most inexpensive ways to create energy efficiency and enrich decorative concrete and other property features is designing with light. I’ve seen the value of proper lighting design and how it affects decorative concrete first hand numerous times. Lighting brings out the features of concrete and plasters when combined with the proper use of wall coverings, furniture, accessories and artwork.

Designers use layered lighting which is the combination of ambient, task and accent lighting. Light can create a room within a room without walls. Light can be targeted to highlight artwork or accessories. It will make space more valuable for very little investment.

Note 3 types of light at work in this room

Photo courtesy of GE Lighting - see the videos at www.metrocrete.tv

Three Types of Lighting Design

1. Ambiant – this is overall general lighting

2. Task – highlighting a functional area like a desk, sink or fireplace.

3. Accent – Focused, targeted lighting to display artwork, furniture, floor design or your concrete countertop.

Four Types of GE Lighting and energy saving bulbs

1. GE Energy Smart – bulbs good for the environment, providing a 75% energy and cost saving over standard 100 watt incondescent bulbs. They last up to 10 times longer so don’t need to be changed often.

2. GE Edison Halogen – high quality clean, crisp light for accent lighting. Great for use in track and recessed fixtures.

3. GE Reveal Bulbs – Bring out colors and patterns. Excellent for use with decorative concrete and plasters. A high quality light bulb that lasts longer than standard bulbs.

4 . Soft Bulbs – typically used in table lamps and ceiling fixtures.

Quick Facts about the GE Smart Bulbs

If every home in the United States replaced 1, 100 watt incandescent light bulb with a GE Energy Smart bulb.

- Each year reduced greenhouse emissions would be equivalent to taking 1.5 million cars off the road.

- Energy savings could power over 1 million homes in United States for 1 year.

It’s important to note that lighting is a beneficial component to any space and will enhance the features in your home or commercial property. However it is the sum of the parts that produces quality design.

Feel free to make comments about this post, I’d like to hear what you know.

Photo Courtesy of GE Lighting

For extensive information about designing with lighting visit GE Lighting

Since this post was written there we have all seen T Boone Pickens ads about alternative energy sources such as Wind farms and Solar Power. If you want to learn more about alternative energy it’s worth a visit to www.pickensplan.com . I also wrote a blog post about green energy efficient homes built with insulated concrete forms called ICF construction which will save up to 80% in energy costs. Visit our ICF category for more information about ICF construction.