Jun 2017
Summer Color
New colorful additions this Summer to the Fogg Showroom
With years of manufacturing and industrial design experience, the founders established Koncept in 2002 to design and develop innovative products for home and business. The company has since developed a line of elegant LED lamps and lighting elements with the discriminating consumer in mind.
For more information call or stop by the showroom to see Koncept Lighting and more!
May 2014
How to Mount Swing Arm Lamps
There are three essential measurements to consider when locating a swing arm lamp. One is the height of the fixture in relationship to the height of the mattress the 2nd is the extension of the fixture and the 3rd is the adjustment in the shade. It is best to have the specification of the fixture and the bed size (including headboard/platform/frame) when placing the location of the j-box. The j-box is the power source and will determine exactly where the wiring is pulled through the wall. The fixture is then connected to the j-box. Each fixture will have an extension, typically between 18” and up to 29”. The extension determines the spacing between the edge of the mattress/frame and the j-box. I typically center the j-box with the center of the nightstand. Some platform beds can have a very wide frame style so the longer the extensions are very useful.
The best way to determine the height of the j-box is to sit on the mattress and measure from the floor to the top of your shoulder. For a standard frame this is typically between 44” and 46” of the floor. The bottom of the shade should be at your shoulder.
Dec 2013
Residential Lighting by the Numbers
The following is a re-print of an ALA Technology Newsletter that was written by Terry McGowan at the ALA. It contains some interesting facts about current lighting usage and future trends.
- In U.S. residences, the average daily use per bulb is 1.6 hours.
- The average bulb uses 47.7 watts. (That’s down substantially from the 67 watt average reported in the 2002 report.)
- There are more than 67 bulbs in the average home considering all home types (single family, multi-family, etc.); but single family homes average more than 85 bulbs/home. (The average reported in the 2002 report was 37 bulbs/home.)
- Household lighting energy use varies substantially by region but averages
- 1,700 kWh/home per year. New York and California use the least averaging
- Less than 1,500 kWh while states including Montana, Wyoming, Arizona and Missouri used the most averaging over 2,100 kWh per home annually.
- The cost of energy used for residential lighting also varies by region, but total home lighting energy costs range from $200-300 per year.
- Bulbs in bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms and kitchens consume the most lighting energy in the average home.
- Dimmers control only 4% of the bulbs in the average home and almost 80% of those bulbs are in ceiling fixtures.
- Incandescent bulbs (2010 data) remain the most widely used light source in homes (They are in more than 62% of the sockets); but the use of CFLs and LED bulbs has increased with CFLs at slightly more than 20% of the socketson average (also 2010 data).
- What the 2010-2012 report shows is that the conversion of residential sockets from standard incandescent to halogen incandescent, CFL or LED bulbs has rapidly increased over this last two-year period.
- Some of that increase is due, of course, to the phase-out of standard incandescent bulbs; but lower prices for CFL and LED bulbs, better bulb performance, more product choice and market activities such as rebates and the entry of new manufacturers into the market have all played a role as well.
- Of the “A-line” bulb sockets, 62% of the 3.2 billion in homes contained standard incandescent bulbs in 2010. That number has now dropped to 55%.
- But, LED bulbs, even though some 20 million have been installed over the last two years, still fill less than 1% of the total available sockets.
- The next two years, however, will likely see a dramatic change in those numbers because of the phase-out of the standard 40 watt and 60 watt bulbs beginning on January 1, 2014. Those two bulb types represent almost 60% of the standard bulb market.
Aug 2013
Labor Day Weekend – You Know What That Means!
Well Labor Day Weekend is here already. Wow, summer did not last very long (unless you are a Mom with young school aged kids). Next comes fall, a great time of year for the lighting business because as it gets dark earlier and earlier, people discover that they need more lights. My advice, beat the crowds, buy your lights now. Be prepared!
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| Great Lighting Solution! |
A floor lamp like the one pictured here is a great solution for a dark corner. This lamp has a center socket that will take a 50/100/150 3-way light bulb plus three sockets, on small arms around the central socket, that each take 60 watt light bulbs. That is a lot of light. Enough light for reading, sewing or playing card games. And, a light like this is an economical solution, costing only a couple of hundred dollars.
This time of year also means back-to-school. And back-to-school means homework. Students need good lighting for their homework which means a desk lamp like the one pictured on the right. This is an LED super adjustable, dimmable model that is available in black, orange and stainless steel. It can mount as shown or on a plate that attaches to a desk or a wall. Guaranteed for 5 years this lamps is a good value for about $250.
Please visit us a www.fogglighting.com and like us on Face Book. Remember, good lighting is important for your state of mind. Call with all your lighting questions and needs.
Jun 2013
Factors to Consider in a Lighting Plan – Part 1
There are many factors to consider when designing lighting for an architectural space. One of the most important factors is ease of seeing. Ease of seeing varies greatly, but generally speaking older people need more light to see the same details than younger people can see with less light. Eyes over 40 years old are older eyes for this this discussion. People who wear eyeglasses are also susceptible to having issues as well. Age effects vision in a number of ways including depth perception, peripheral vision, glare, and visual acuity.
The photo at the left shows a room that has a lot of daylight as well as artificial light from many sources. It is a comfortable, inviting space with a relaxing color pallet. The lighting in this large room is one of the most important factors in how the room feels and how easy it is to navigate through the space. Furthermore there is adequate light for the tasks that are performed there. This room is comfortable for both young and old eyes. There is no glare, there is plenty of light and the walls are well defined. The lighting designer provided many layers of light without overpowering the space. A great balance.
Please be sure to visit FoggLighting.com and contact us with your questions and to help with your lighting needs. Our staff is trained in lighting design and can help with all your lighting questions.
May 2013
A Maine Historical Society Exhibit
Wired: How Electricity Came to Maine
Exhibit Dates: June 22, 2012 – May 26, 2013
Wired! explores the electrification of Maine during the 20th century, and how a rural state became modern. Told primarily through material from the Central Maine Power collection, it explores the landscape, mechanics, economics, politics, and culture of electricity.
The story begins with efforts to harness the energy of Maine’s rivers to power small mills. It spreads as entrepreneurs, tinkerers, and investors sought to transmit that energy further and further, and to sell it to businesses and homeowners. Finally, the story is about the grid, and what it took to get it built.
The exhibit explores how Mainers were shaped by power: engineers and linemen who figured out how to deliver electricity to the masses, and people everywhere who overcame initial fears to embrace and rely on it for almost every aspect of their daily lives. As we continue to look for affordable, clean energy, this is a story that joins Maine’s past, present, and future.
Please take time to visit this fascinating exhibit at The Maine Historical Society, 489 Congress Street, Portland, ME. You can check their website, http://www.mainehistory.org/, for hours. And please visit www.FoggLighting.com for all your lighting needs.
Mar 2013
Times Square at Night. What a Light Show!
I thought I was at the beach rather than in Times Square at midnight! All the lights in Times Square must be LED’s or else it makes no economic sense. It was as bright as an overcast day in Maine.
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| Three Story Lighted Sign |
Can you imagine how many light bulbs there are in this sign! And there are dozens of massive, lighted signs all over the place. That’s my take away from an evening in the Big Apple.
Be sure to visit Fogglighting.com for all your lighting needs.