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Posted by Rob, Creative Lighting Staff on May 3rd, 2011 — Posted in Ceiling Fans, Creative Lighting News, Energy Efficient Lighting, Lighting Trends 2011
For 2011, manufacturers are concentrating on producing ceiling fans that offer better energy efficiency and quieter operation. In order to achieve these goals, most manufacturers are offering more choices utilizing DC motors.
DC Motors have several advantages over the traditional AC motors commonly found in previous generations of ceiling fans.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
DC fan motors use less than 30% of the energy of a standard fan motor. In fact, three DC fan motors running at high speed use the same energy as one 100 watt light bulb! This, of course, leads to smaller energy bills. If several thousand homes switched to fans with DC motors, it could lead to considerably less strain on power grids during the summer months.
In order to rotate the motor housing, traditional ceiling fans use electricity to magnetize the motor. DC motors are permanently pre-magnetized, so no power is wasted in this process. This is the major reason for the difference in energy expenditure between AC and DC motors.
COOLER OPERATION
Less wattage equals less heat. Less heat equals less stress on the motor, which leads to considerably longer, more reliable operation.
EASIER INSTALLATION
DC fan motors have the wall/handheld control receiver directly on the motor housing. This allows the manufacturer to construct the fan with a 3-wire configuration. Older fans have the receiver near the ceiling, requiring a 6-wire setup. Electricians will find DC fans quicker and easier to install.
Most fan manufacturers have introduced many contemporary and traditional fan styles for 2011. Leading the way is Kichler, one of the most trusted manufacturers in residential and commercial lighting products.
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Posted by Tami, Creative Lighting Staff on March 9th, 2011 — Posted in Creative Lighting News, Lighting Trends 2011, Lighting Vendors
Tags: chandeliers, creative lighting, lighting store st paul minneapolis, lighting trends
Crystorama Lighting is a leader in quality lighting products. They continue to introduce innovative designs while staying true to the classic styles that go back to the orgins of the company.
Crystorama Lighting was founded in Brooklyn, New York, in 1958 by Abraham Kleinberg. The company was initially established as a primary importer of crystal chandeliers from Bohemia-Northern Czechoslovakia and offered the finest selection of classical crystal designs. Abraham Kleinberg’s passion as an artist and designer was inspired from various cultures around the world. Through his travels he has incorporated into the product line the full hand cut crystal, the craftsmanship of decorative ironwork, and the meticulous manner by which ornate castings are hand chased to bring out their intricate detailing. Crystorama’s rich heritage has continued over the last 50 years by working with design communities in Europe, India, Asia, and North America. The classically designed chandeliers continue to use the authentic molds and patterns to maintain the traditions of our forefathers. In a world of mass production, Crystorama Lighting continues to offer classical chandeliers that require years of experience and specialized craftsmanship.
At Creative Lighting we appreciate the impact a great lighing fixture can have in any space. Visit our showroom to see some of the latest Crystorama designs like these shown here.
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Posted by Tami, Creative Lighting Staff on March 2nd, 2011 — Posted in Creative Lighting News, Lighting Trends 2011, Lighting Vendors
Tags: creative lighting, lighting store st paul minneapolis, lighting trends
Authenticity Lighting made it’s debut at the January Dallas market. This new company was founded on a simple premise: produce beautiful, high quality lighting with an honest and straight forward approach. To accomplish this they took a fresh look at every aspect of the process, from initial sketches and design to material and finish selection, all the way through to final production and delivery.
Seen above are two peices from the Monarch Collection. It features four styles in two finishes: Antique Gold Leaf or Rustic Iron. It’s shape and seeded glass panels echo the floating freedom of a butterfly in flight. Monarch is offered in two chandelier sizes, plus a mini chandelier and a two light wall sconce.
Come to the Creative Lighting showroom to see a gallery of fixtures from Authenticity Lighting!
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Posted by Lesa, Creative Lighting Staff on February 14th, 2011 — Posted in General Lighting Tips
Tags: creative lighting, curb appeal, light fixture cleaning, lighting store st paul minneapolis
Like everything else, light fixtures both inside your house and outside do and will get dirty. Your fixtures can acquire anything from dust, cobwebs, dead bugs, to a build up of heat inside an enclosed fixture that creates a fog that will make a clear glass fixture look cloudy. With any or all of these conditions happening, you can take a few simple steps to make this part of your weekly, monthly, or seasonal cleaning routine and eliminate that dirty look and make your light fixtures sparkle.
1. First things first, turn off power at switch and circuit breaker.
2. Remove light bulbs, glass, globes, shields, grills, and shades to ease the cleaning of the hardware part of the fixture.
3.Clean this hardware, along with any other metal parts (shields, grills, etc) with a soft cloth that has been moistened with water and a mild detergent. Then dry with soft dry cloth.
(DO NOT use harsh cleaners on this metal hardware, a protective coating has been put on by the manufacturer to protect the finish and could be damaged by anything abrasive.)
4.Wash the glass and /or globes from the fixture by hand in warm soapy water. Dry with a soft cloth and attach back on to the light.
5.Put your light bulbs back into the dry fixture.
6.Turn your power back on and enjoy your sparkling lights!
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Posted by Tara, Creative Lighting Staff on February 3rd, 2011 — Posted in General Lighting Tips, Lighting Trends 2010, Lighting Trends 2011
Tags: creative lighting, lighting tips, lighting trends, lighting trends 2010
Attention all metal finishes….Gold is BACK, and better than ever. It’s good news for anyone that is currently struggling with trying to update their brass hardware based home with new lighting. Gold is on the trend…Again! Not that shiny show-every-finger-print kind of gold…a NEW gold. The lighting world is filled with lovely brushed brass and soft painted gold options this year. Some manufacturers have even succeeded in incorporating sleek and more sophisticated modern designs with the new hue, and the result is nothing short of fantastic. If you desperately want to rid your space of the old brass and glass fixture blues, but need something that will still work with all of that gold hardware, this is your time! And to any of you who are tired of the stainless and silver days, I encourage you to give gold a chance…again.
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Posted by Tami, Creative Lighting Staff on February 1st, 2011 — Posted in Creative Lighting News, General Lighting Tips
Tags: creative lighting, In stock lighting, lighting store st paul minneapolis
At Creative Lighting we continually work to offer you the best- a great selection of products available when you need them, at the lowest possible price by experienced lighting consultants.
We know that at times, you have a tight deadline – your electrician calls to tells you he’ll be there this afternoon, or you want to finish that nagging project this weekend. An advantage to shopping with Creative Lighting is that now you don’t have to drive all over town to find that fixture that you need today, you can see what’s in stock online at www.creative-lighting.com before you leave your home. We offer the advantage of online shopping with all of the the convenience of a local showroom.
Browse our wide selection of lighting on our website – the items that are available for same-day pick-up are clearly marked with our icon:
Then stop by the showroom to “kick the tires,” and take the items you love home with you the same day, OR give us a call to place your order. We can have it ready for pick up ASAP!
In our showroom, you’ll find a large selection of unique lighting, ceiling fans, and mirrors, as well as, our ”In Stock Today” items on display. While you’re here, visit our bargain room area to save even more on clearance items or select special order items not offered on our website. Our experienced staff will help answer your questions and provide ideas and inspiration to ensure you get the most from your lighitng project.
Shop now for:
In Stock Today trestle lights or In Stock Today mini-pendants that you might use over your kitchen island.
In Stock Today vanity lights to complete your bathroom remodeling project.
In Stock Today table lamps to add a new punch to your décor.
Or, check it all out at www.creative-lighitng.com.
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Posted by Tami, Creative Lighting Staff on January 14th, 2011 — Posted in Creative Lighting News, Energy Efficient Lighting, Lighting Trends 2010
At least once a week, a customer will ask me if they should be stocking up on incandescent light bulbs due to the impending ‘ban’ starting in 2012.
While the government has taken great strides to conserve energy through the future wattage limitations of light bulbs, there obviously seems to be very little effort in educating the public about the actual details of the new laws. To make matters worse, many manufacturers of ‘green’ products will twist and/or misquote the wording of the bulb legislation to put their own products in a better light (pardon the pun).
What then, does the new law state, and what are the best options for light bulbs when the law takes effect?
The law in question is The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The act builds on the progress made by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) in setting out a comprehensive energy strategy for the 21st century. Lighting energy efficiency is covered in Title III, Subtitle B of the Act, specifically Section 321:
AFFECTED LAMPS
- General Service Incandescent Lamps (standard incandescent or halogen-type lamp)
- Medium screw base
- 310 to 2,600 lumens (40-100W in current wattages)
- 110 to 130 volts
All affected lamps listed above must meet the following criteria as noted below:
| Current Wattage |
Maximum Rated Wattage |
Rated Lumen Range |
Minimum Rated Lifetime |
Effective Date |
| 100W |
72W |
1490-2600 |
1000 hrs |
1/1/2012 |
| 75W |
53W |
1050-1489 |
1000 hrs |
1/1/2013 |
| 60W |
43W |
750-1049 |
1000 hrs |
1/1/2014 |
| 40W |
29W |
310-749 |
1000 hrs |
1/1/2014 |
- Modified spectrum (See Better, Feel Better®) lamp lumen ranges are 25% lower.
- Minimum of 80 CRI except for modified spectrum, which have a minimum of 75 CRI.
- Candelabra base incandescent lamps shall not exceed 60 watts.
- Intermediate base incandescent lamps shall not exceed 40 watts.
EXEMPTIONS
Specialty Lamps including:
Appliance lamp, black light lamp, bug lamp, colored lamp, infrared lamp, left-hand thread lamp, marine lamp, marine signal service lamp, mine service lamp, plant light lamp, reflector lamp, rough service lamp, shatter-resistant lamp, sign service lamp, silver bowl lamp, showcase lamp, 3-way incandescent lamp, traffic signal lamp, vibration service lamp, G-shape lamp with a diameter of 5 inches or more, T-shape lamp of 40 watts or less and a length of more than 10 inches, and B, BA, CA, F, G16-1/2, G25, G30, S or M14 lamp of 40 watts or less. (exerpt from the EISA 2007)
The letter of the law is to phase out some existing incandescent bulbs and replace them with lower-wattage alternatives.
The spirit of the law is to force manufacturers to create and/or market light bulbs that use 30% less energy (or better) to replace today’s higher-wattage versions.
The truth, in short, is the incandescent bulb is not disappearing from the American landscape, but the wattages as we know them are being replaced. There are far too many uses for incandescent and halogen bulbs that CFL and LED bulbs are simply not able to supplant.
It is my hope that as we approach January 1, 2012 (phase-out of the 100-watt bulb), greater strides will be taken by the government to better inform people of the facts in the law, and replacement choices will be clearly presented by manufacturers and shopping centers.
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Posted by Michelle, Creative Lighting Staff on January 7th, 2011 — Posted in General Lighting Tips
Tags: general lighting tips, lighting store st paul minneapolis
There are three types of lighting that are used in a home: Ambient, Task, and Accent lighting. All are important to create a happily lit home.
Ambient lighting provides overall lighting for a space, or general lighting. It is intended to light the whole space, and minimize glare & shadow. Usually, this is seen as a main ceiling light in a bedroom, or a chandelier in a dining room. Recessed lighitng is also being utilized to light up rooms like kitchens and lower level family rooms.
Task lighting is exactly that – it specifically lights up the area where a task is done. For instance, utilizing undercabinet lighting over your kitchen counters, an adjustable desk lamp to light up paperwork, or track lighting to spotlight a craft table.
Accent lighting is a great way to draw attention to focal points in a room. It also is used to create drama and intruige. This can be achieved by using a small adjustable recessed to spotlight art, or track lighting in front of a fireplace to spotlight some stonework.
Ambient Lighting - chandelier
Task Lighting
Accent Lighting
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Posted by Lesa, Creative Lighting Staff on December 21st, 2010 — Posted in Crystal
Tags: crystal chandeliers, crystal differences, crystal types, lighting store st paul minneapolis
When we think of crystal chandeliers, most of us think of chandeliers that are draped with various clear crystal configurations that sparkle in the light. But not many know that there are several ways to make the crystals themselves. Three common processes to get to the finished crystals is by machine, by hand, and molded with a fire-polished finish.
Schonbek Lucia Chandelier...Call for details
Making crystal shapes by machine does allow for several machine cut crystal grades that determine price and appearance. High grade machine cut crystal will have a lead content of 30% or better, a clear and flawless appearance, and one that is characterized by razor-sharp machine cutting of facets to give a brilliant rainbow of colored appearance.
Hand cut crystal is made just like the name says by hand and not by machine. The first part is done on an iron and then on a sandstone wheel. The crystal is then hand-polished on a wood wheel by marble dust. The mark of authenticity is the faint traces of the woodwheel on the edges of the crystal.
A crystal can also be made by being molded and fire-polished. This Venetian crystal comes from the glass-making region in and around Venice. This molded crystal is not as brilliant as a machine cut crystal but has a softer luminosity to it which may appeal to some looking for that antique look.
Each of these processes can bring your new or existing chandelier it’s own look and unique history. Next time you’re looking at a crystal chandelier, determine the way in which it was made and appreciate the uniqueness of the crystal.
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Posted by Tami, Creative Lighting Staff on October 22nd, 2010 — Posted in Energy Efficient Lighting, Lighting Deals
Tags: ceiling fan sale, ceiling fan warm, Ceiling Fans, ceiling fans energy efficient, creative lighting sale
Well, winter time is coming. That means the cold is coming too. I don’t want to be cold, and I bet you don’t want to be either. When winter comes and you start to feel that chill come in your house it gets into your bones to makes you achey and cold! However, the problem is, nobody wants to crank the heat and pay the extra money and electric bill.
Did you know that ceiling fans can also help you keep warm in the winter, saving you a bit off your heating bill?
Check your fan to see if it has a switch at or near the base. Moving this switch changes the direction in which the blades rotate.
Durin
g warmer months, you should run your fan in a “forward” (counter-clockwise) direction so that it fans the air, making you feel cool. When it gets cold outside, switch the fan to the “reverse” setting so that it runs in a clockwise direction. This forces cold air upward while pushing the warm air in the room down to you. For optimal effects, set the fan to circulate at a slow speed.
Right now Creative Lighting has a coupon allowing you to save money on all ceiling fans at their store. The coupon is valid from 10-22 to 11-3 for 10% off all in-stock fans and 5% off all special order fans in-store only. That makes prices even better than online!
Click through the picture of the coupon below to get in on this great deal.
