Whether you are framing a favorite photograph or an original canvas painting, the use of LED light strips can bring the art within the frame to life.  This guide will share step by step instructions to construct a simple but modern art frame that is complemented by the integration of LED light strips.
 
Before getting started, here is a list of materials needed for this project:

1 x 3 x 8 pine furring strip - $2*
2 x 2 x 8 furring strip - $2*
Brad nails and construction adhesive - $6
LED lighting kit(s) - $46
1/8th in. glass pane - $4 (optional)
 
*quantity of furring strips will vary with size of frame.  This material list is for the construction of one 18” x 24” frame

 Total Cost:   $60

Federal energy initiatives push to inform the public on different lighting options for their homes and businesses.  The recent implementation of the Lighting Facts product label is possibly the epitome of this energy efficient lighting movement, as lawmakers continue to try to outlaw incandescent light bulbs.  One of the most important metrics on the Lighting Facts label is brightness.  Appropriately listed first on the lighting facts label, its purpose is to guide the consumers to making the correct purchase for their home based on sound principles.

For years, homeowners bought light bulbs based on their watt rating; with the understanding that the more watts that the light bulb was rated, the brighter it would be.  The truth is the relationship between watts and brightness of light output is rather indirect.  A watt is a unit of power, or energy consumed by the light source. A watt rating, as indicated on the traditional incandescent light bulb and on the lighting facts label, represents the amount of watts consumed by the light bulb in one hour of use.  If consumers want to buy a light bulb that will emit a certain level of  brightness, then they should buy a light bulb based on its rating of lumens. 

While occupancy sensor controls were originally created for use in commercial buildings, their role in residential buildings is becoming more commonplace.  Many lighting companies have introduced automated lighting control product lines specifically for use in residential buildings and homes. These include occupancy sensor switches that have a sleek design that deliver proportional results to commercial counterparts, and cost much less.  While these use the same technology as passive infrared occupancy sensors for commercial buildings, they do not need to be as powerful.  The capacity of the controller does not need to detect occupancy by such an expansive measure because it is employed in rooms that have much lower ceilings and dramatically less square footage.  

In addition to the price tag, the design of these components also benefits as compared to commercial occupancy sensors.  The actual module can pack the required technology in a smaller clamshell that easily fits in a traditional wall switch junction box.  Manufacturers are also taking the initiative to offer decorative faceplates to match the décor in your home.  One company that seems to be doing all of this better than others is Lutron.

Making a unique, modern LED headboard is a fun  project that can be built and mounted in a weekend for only a few bucks.  This article will cover materials and  products needed to complete the project; as well as a few helpful tips to  guide you along the way.  Here is a list of materials you will need:

First, start with a sheet of melamine.  This will be the primary structure of your headboard.  Melamine is a  building material that has similar properties to a laminate countertop, but is  sold in thinner sheets that are dimensionally similar to plywood and drywall.  Melamine is also commonly used to build cabinets and shelving.   If you prefer to keep this process as simple as possible, purchase a pre-cut shelf that comes in a variety of sizes.  It comes in white but can be painted a desired color to match your bedroom.   Don’t forget to cover the unfinished edges of your headboard with BAND-IT iron on edging for a professional look.

There are several reasons why occupancy sensor switches are a great upgrade to traditional light switches.  They are convenient, energy efficient, and can save you money, to name a few.  However, some homeowners find it difficult to justify the initial cost of an occupancy sensor by the continual savings on electricity in a reasonable amount of time.  This is a valid concern for certain applications, and if the convenience isn’t worth paying for only one thing can help justify buying an occupancy sensor: a smaller price tag!

The  Decora PR180-1LW by Leviton is an affordable residential occupancy sensor that packs the same technology as comparable higher end motion sensor switches.  Just because it is less in cost does not mean it lacks in quality.  
This particular Leviton Decora occupancy sensor can be found for less than $16.  When mounted in a standard wall switch junction box it detects motion using passive infrared technology.  It’s field of view is a full 180 degrees along the wall it is mounted on and can see everything in front of it. 

A unique but practical way to cut back on energy consumption is to create an energy budget.  While this may seem inconvenient it is effective and parallels many other methods of cutting back.  We budget the way we spend money, we count calories, and manage our time the same way; so why not budget our energy consumption?

 Just as any of these other methods, a homeowner must first start with a plan, and then must acknowledge and commit to the plan everyday along with anyone else who lives in the home.  This may seem restricting and inconvenient, but often people don't realize how much energy they waste every day without even knowing it.

 For the sake of simplicity, let’s focus this sample energy budget on electricity.  Begin by assessing the amount of electricity consumed by larger electric appliances in your home.  Examples would be refrigerators, microwaves, electric ovens, and heating and cooling units.  This information is available on energy star labels that are provided with your
appliances.  If you do not have the information with your owner’s manual, try looking it up online at energysavers.gov.  The information we are looking for is energy consumption in watts per year.

There are many ways one can lower energy bills.  The key is identifying where a home is most energy inefficient.  This contributing factor could be one of many different deficiencies that are often relatable to a particular region's climate or how certain homes were built at a certain time.  For example, older homes were built with very little or no insulation, making the contributing factor for high energy bills the building envelope.  In older climates where heating systems are in demand for most of the year, well insulated windows walls and doors are often cost effective energy upgrades.  
 
While heating and cooling loads drive up energy costs there are other common energy deficiencies that are often overlooked. A DIY home energy audit can help you determine what these are.  While aspects of an energy audit relating to the building envelope are pretty straight forward, finding sources of inefficient lighting technology is a little less intuitive.  

In a recent post, we discussed how occupancy sensor switches can be combined with low voltage lighting in a harmonious union of energy efficiency.  Even without the occupancy sensor, low voltage lighting systems are very energy efficient.  It is important to recognize the benefits of using low voltage lighting where practical, and how building codes are starting to adopt energy efficiency initiatives that require low voltage lighting.

Often, low voltage circuits come with dimming switches to decrease energy consumption when full illumination is not required.  They also often include built-in timers with auto on and off functions; this is especially useful for outdoor landscaping lighting and low voltage security lighting.  These applications often demand electricity for longer periods of time compared to indoor artificial light.  For this reason, energy efficiency is important.  The built-in automatic timer will also add to the convenience of the lighting system.

 Controlling a low voltage lighting system with an occupancy sensor is an extravagant and energy efficient addition to a variety of low voltage lighting applications around your home.  Low voltage lighting is becoming increasingly popular in DIY home projects and renovations because it is inexpensive, low maintenance, and easy to install.  While it can be used in practical applications such as security lighting, under cabinet lighting or to illuminate trip hazards in a dark backyard patio, it is also used as accent lighting in bookshelves, cabinets, and gallery spaces.  

In most cases, an occupancy sensor can be added to your low voltage lighting kit to supplement and further enhance the practical and aesthetic features in many ways.  Often these lighting kits are installed and then frequently ignored because they are not essential lights for everyday activity.  But if they are controlled by an occupancy sensor switch they will automatically turn on when the space is occupied and turn off when the area is vacant for a designated amount of time.

There are many automated lighting systems on the market today.  Each company that develops their own 'unique system' seeks to sell you not only their product but a lifetime obligation to their services.  First, the system will have to be installed by one of their professionals and then you must pay to 'unlock' new features.  All the while, the cost effectiveness of an automated lighting system seems to go out the door.  So before you commit to a state of the art product and service, consider building your own automated lighting system with individual components.  If well executed you can create a luxurious, convenient lighting system on the cheap that will provide energy savings for years to come.  

First you must become familiar with what technology is out there.  There several types of wireless communications, two in particular are most commonly used in lighting.  The first is infrared technology.  Infrared light is electromatic radiation that has a wavelength longer than visible light.  These wavelengths are communicated by a corresponding frequency range.  Each frequency communicated signals a different function or command to the end user lighting component.  The other type of wireless communication is a wireless local area network (WLAN) or Wi-Fi.  Each component within the automated lighting system will have an IP address on a network and transmit communications resulting in lighting controls and responses.  The main benefit of Wi-Fi communications over infrared is that communications are relayed over the network and each component can send signals both forward and backward.  Also all activities can be monitored by a base station on the network.  This could be your home computer with Wi-Fi access or your smart phone.  The base station logs onto the network and can monitor all signals being transmitted and even schedule activities.  This is very helpful in creating an automated lighting system. 

Now you can shop for lighting components that communicate on one of the two platforms and start to assemble a
unique one of a kind lighting system.  One lighting component that is crucial to any lighting system is an occupancy sensor.  While occupancy sensor switches are not ideal for all spaces and applications they can  automatically turn lights off when not needed in areas of your home or office where you usually leave the lights on.  This will help you save tons of money on your energy bills.  Occupancy sensors are available to fit in a wall switch junction box or for a ceiling mounted application.  There are
also a variety of lamps and LED fixtures that come fitted with occupancy sensors built-in.  This option adds an extra dimension of flexibility to your DIY automated lighting system design; allowing you to place sensored lighting in areas where conduit had never been installed.