Ideas
Here is a collection of ideas that will be helpful in making your lighting environment more dark-sky-friendly and livable.
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Shopping for Fixtures
To prepare for shopping, a good first step would be to visit the "Good Lighting Fixtures and Where to Get Them" section of the IDA Web Site. You will find links there to manufacturers and a wealth of good ideas.
Electrical Options
While it is very straightforward to design a new building with superior lighting fixtures and controls, those of us who have completed buildings face a measure of difficulty in revising our electrical wiring to accommodate changes.Recognizing this, a number of manufacturers now offer devices that can be most helpful.
Wind-up Timers
These can be used to replace wall switches used to control such fixtures as porch lights. Typically, they offer 0-15, 0-30 and 0-60-Minute time delays, meaning that you can set almost any on-time you wish, after which the lights will automatically switch off.
We use a pair of these to control porch lights that light the path between our home and detached garage. About 3-minutes of light is all that we usually need in this area.
Timer paired with a 'Decora' Switch.
Timers are really ideal if you specify them in new construction - your electrical contractor can then simply install them instead of ordinary switches.
They can, of course, be installed later. If you decide to do-it-yourself, please be sure to do the installation safely and in a manner that will meet all applicable codes.
I just spoke with Dominion Electric in Leesburg
[ (703) 777-1555 ] and was told that they have all of these in stock.
Line-Carrier Controls
Line-carrier devices can as a general rule be simply plugged into existing electrical outlets and offer a simple method for on-off and, in some cases, dimming control of lights and appliances. I'm aware of two companies that make these.
X-10 makes a very wide-ranging selection of such products, including some wireless controllers (similar to TV remote controls and also several small 'key-chain' controllers).
Visit their Web Site, where you can order products on-line or by toll-free telephone.
Leviton, one of the World's largest electrical manufacturers, offers a line of controls that are operated by a hand-held wireless transmitter similar to a TV remote control.
Visit Leviton's Web Site. Click the Decora Home Controls image. Leviton products are available through Dominion Electric in Leesburg. Call to check stock - these may have to be ordered from another branch.
