Unless you've been hiding under a rock you have heard the news that this is the year that the government has mandated we begin changing over to the new energy efficient lightbulbs such as CFL's and LED's.
The cost of CFL's has gone down considerably but LED's are still on the high side but these will soon be your only option as the sale of incandescent lightbulbs is being phased out. You probably can't find a 100W lightbulb anywhere and the 75W are most likely extinct near you. 60W bulbs are probably the highest wattage you'll find at your local home center and unless you find a store selling overstock you're more likely to find more CFL's available.
We were waiting until our bulbs all burnt out before switching over and finally have the office on CFL's. We received a selection of bulbs from Ace Hardware including the incandescents they still sell and its clear they want you to consider them for your bulb buying needs as they offer about 90% of the bulbs that you'd need for your home.
Where do you stand on converting your lightbulbs? Are you hoarding incandescents? What concerns do you have about using CFLs?
With all of the recent talk of the government regulating the sale of incandescent bulbs, we got to thinking, why not make our own light bulbs. A friend of ours makes it sound like it's not too difficult but to really make a functioning bulb that works in your home would be asking a lot.
MAKE offers a kit for making your own bulb that is more like a science project and teaches the basics of how a light bulb works.
A fun science kit designed to excite and engage experimenters of all ages as they recreate the experiments that lead to the development of the first real light bulb. Build your own working light bulb using the included safety vacuum chamber and a number of different filament materials including carbon and tungsten.
Included in this kit:
Safety Vacuum Chamber
Hand Vacuum Pump
Filament materials including tungsten and carbon
Test Leads
28 page full color instruction manual
Not included (required)
2 6-volt alkaline lantern batteries
Thanks to a record number of people who are turning 65 in the coming years, Universal Design is becoming the hot topic when it comes to home building and renovating. Simply put, Universal Design means enhancing the accessibility and functionality of a home so that it can serve all residents, even those with disabilities or mobility issues.
The great thing about Universal Design is that it's smart, functional design that makes sense--whether you're aging or not. We've talked about UD before here at C&H, and with the latest round-up of UD-friendly products released by Builder magazine, we thought it was prime time to revisit the subject. If you're looking to incorporate UD into your home, this list provides an excellent starting point--and much of it is DIY-friendly, too.
Top Universal Design Products
*A keyless lock. Check out models from Yale and other companies that allow you to open a locked door by entering a code on a keypad.
*Lever handles. These are much easier to grip and use, and their sleek design complements most any furniture and decor.
*Touch faucets. Not only do these help save water and are more energy-efficient, touch faucets are convenient and thoughtfully designed.
There's no reason your home office has to reflect the drudgery of bill paying, document filing, and to-do lists. Like any other room, it presents an opportunity to make a statement. And, if you work from home, your business will benefit from surrounding yourself with sources of inspiration and stimulation.
I was reminded of this fact when I saw my friend Antonella's office makeover. The space has great bones with built-in bookshelves and a generous desk. Because structural work was not necessary Antonella relied largely on surface treatment and a couple key furniture pieces to transform the space.
