Allow Starry Night Lights to help you ‘lighten up’! It is important to have lighting options, which allow you to both protect the environment and have the lighting you desire. Lighting is a nice, inexpensive way to update your home. By simply adding lights, or updating the fixtures you already own, you can make an entire room look different. Also, lighting can add a nice touch to a room or desired area. It can be a daunting task to pick the lighting of your home, but by buying from Starry Night Lights you can do more than just add a little light to your home, you are ensuring that the lighting of your home is night and environmentally friendly.
Wall Mounted Exterior Light Fixtures: These sorts of fixtures have the ability to greatly emphasize the outdoor beauty of ones home. Also, wall mounted exterior light fixtures come in various styles and forms, allowing a lot of diversity when choosing lighting. Another positive factor of wall mounted exterior light fixtures is the fact that they allow light to be directed to chosen areas.
Architectural Lighting: By choosing architectural lighting one has the advantage of having lighting fixtures which allow individuals to move about freely and safely. Also some advantages to having architectural lighting is that- it keeps light on the ground where it belongs, reduces light pollution and glare and so on and so forth.
Wall Scones: Are an excellent form of lighting designed to draw attention to a wall or highlite an area. They shine light downwards or on the area which needs to be lit and not into neighbors homes. They come in various styles such as; copper, aluminum, brass, ceramic and stainless steel and also in many different finishes.
Pendant Lighting: These lighting fixtures are an excellent way to draw attention to a room, while also giving you the ability to only light the areas you feel to be need to lit. Pendant lighting comes in many different forms, colors and shapes… do not be afraid to get creative.
Lighten up with Starry Night Lights, and be guaranteed variety and environmentally efficient lighting!
‘Lighten Up’! In the same way that a positive attitude brightens a situation, adding lights to your home will great increase the brillance and beauty of your home. We at Starry Night Lights, realize what a difficult decision it can be to choose the lighting fixtures and designs of your home. Not only does one need to consider their own desires and tastes when choosing appropriate lighting, it is best if one also considers the energy efficiency level of the fixtures they buy. It is important, to understand that lighting greatly affects the environment and by making the right choices you can save yourself some money and the environment!
By buying your products at Starry Night Lights, you can be guaranteed both unique and energy efficient lighting structures. It is the goal of Starry Night Lights and its founder, Anthony Arrigo, to make night-friendly/environmentally friendly lighting available. It stems from Mr. Arrigo’s passion for the night sky and the protection of our environment.
LED: Individuals who use LEDs have the ability to have up to 90% in savings, compared to incandescent bulbs. LEDs are unique when compared to incandescent bulbs, in the way that almost all of their energy goes solely to lighting, while other incandescent bulbs lose a lot of energy in heat. Also, LEDs do not disperse their light in the same way that incandescent bulbs do, their light is far more directed. Thus, by using LEDs one has a greater ability to light more specific and direct areas.
Compact Fluorescent:
Or CFT, is a certain kind of fluorescent lamp, which is designed to give the same amount of light as an incandescent light, but will use less power and have a longer ‘life’. CFLs are typically more expensive than incandescent, but in the end the benefits out weigh the intial cost. According to the US standards, a CFL will save an individual up to $30, when compared to an incandescent bulb. In addition it can reduce greenhouse gases significantly, even saving up to 2000 times its own weight in emissions.
Let Starry Night Lights ‘light’ the way for you, as you choose your next lighting options for your home. We offer both indoor and outdoor lighting options, all of which are guaranteed to be environmentally/night friendly. Starry Night Lights products “use 1/2 the energy of non-sky friendly outdoor lighting” through “preventing light from shining up into the night sky”. This fact makes Starry Night Lights an excellent choice for all your lighting desires!
There is much to be desired with regard to the US response to global warming. In many cases, it seems as if the US has arrived on the scene too late. However, the US is making efforts to take the appropriate and needed steps to combat the negative effects of global warming. In fact, this week one of the US’s largest states, California will announce its plans for an aggressive approach to combat global warming.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, this plan should impact the state’s residents, industries and government agency, though the impacts will take about a decade to fully develop. This plan, comes only 18 months after Governor Schwarzenegger passed legislation which will curb one-third of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. The plan is meant to encourage residents to buy and use energy efficient appliances, such as energy efficient light bulbs and gas efficient hybrids. It will also, press industries to lessen pollution, even at the price of paying fees for the amount of pollutants they release.
The state of California, has indicated its desire to place the nation’s strictest requirements on greenhouse emissions coming from cars, trucks, SUVs and the like. This desire has sparked some controversy between California and the Bush administration, resulting from the Environmental Protection Agency’s refusal to allow California to impose these regulations. California is also interested in charging a fee on industries, businesses, plants and refineries, in order to lessen the amount of carbon they release.
These desires have been received warmly by envrionmental groups, while industry groups see these changes in a negative light preferring market-based systems, which would encourage businesses to lessen greenhouse gas emissions but also allow them to purchase carbon emissions from other industries with lower emissions.
In any case, these forms of legislation, are very encouraging for environmental groups and individuals interested in improving our environment. By simply buying energy efficient products, such as light bulbs and other lighting fixtures, one is helping improve our energy dependency and in turn protecting our environment.
There’s a lot to see in our night sky, every month has something special. The night can be especially majestic when there are no artificial lights shining into the night sky. These outdoor lights cause light pollution which appears as a strong heavy glow in the night sky. However, when the sky is dark the night is practically filled with beautiful things to behold. Every season has different special qualities, and every year as well. This year the summer should have some beautiful things in store.
June 2008:
In June, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter are predicted to be especially bright this month. Mars and Saturn can be found along the western evening sky. Mars or the small ‘red planet’ will compare nicely with the giant planet Saturn and its many rings. Jupiter, the largest planet of the solar system, can be seen early in the evening and can be seen all night long.
July 2008:
July this year will be a very good month, for those who are interested in viewing Jupiter. Jupiter, or the ‘king planet’ will reach its climax this month, it will be at its best and brightest during the entire evening. Mars will follow Saturn along the western horizon in the early evening. Around midnight planets that can be seen with binoculars can be seen, with Neptune and Uranus soon following. A little before dawn Mercury should be visible, as well.
Enjoy this summer and take time to spend time under the night sky. There will be a lot to see, stars, planets and more. Grab a blanket, bring some friends and enjoy the evening!
Starry Night Lights is a company dedicated to fighting light pollution, by providing individuals with night friendly lighting fixtures. One may wonder why this is important or even why a company like Starry Night Lights, would dedicate itself to such a cause. The answer to this question comes from the heart and goals of its president and founder, Anthony Arrigo. Mr. Arrigo has stated that he is “committed to fighting light pollution” and that his desire to fight light pollution comes from his love for the night sky. According to Mr. Arrigo “I have spent countless hours taking in its majesty from more locations than I can count. Each and every night is different and special in its own way”. As a result, both Mr. Arrigo and Starry Night Lights are dedicated to the fight against light pollution and for the restoration of the night sky.
For individuals who are also into star gazing and viewing the other majestic things of the night sky, buy Starry Night Light products and you will be guaranteed night sky friendly, light pollution fighting, lighting fixtures. There are so many reasons to take the appropriate steps to lessen light pollution and one of the greatest gifts you will receive is an evening filled with stars.
Starry Night Lights offers a great deal of selection, in choosing the best lighting fixtures for ones own individual taste.
With regard to indoor lighting, one may enjoy wall scones- which are an excellent way to only light the areas of your home you want lit, they also come in many varieties and in many finishes. Or one may prefer pendant lighting which can give an artistic grace to a room or home, but also allows area specific lighting. Perhaps ceiling mounted lights, are more to ones liking, they are less dramatic then pendant lighting, but can offer a more dispersed form of lighting.
Outdoor lighting is especially important in the fight against light pollution. Thus, this form of lighting is particularly important and needs to be thought through well before the process of lighting outdoor areas actually takes place. Once again there are various options, such as glare-free lighting, which is very affective in giving clarity and visibility. Also, motion sensor lighting is an excellent way to light your outdoor areas because the area is only lit when its needed, and when the detector senses activity. Energy efficient lamps are of course excellent lighting fixtures because they conserve energy, by replacing lamps with energy efficient lamps one can protect the environment and save money.
On Friday the US Senate failed to pass an important bill which would have pushed the nation to make deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. This was a very unfortunate situation because a reduction in these greenhouse gas emissions is very needed in the struggle to combat global warming. The bill was not passed because it did not receive enough votes to become official legislation. This was because the atmosphere was marked more by partisan disagreements, than actual dedication to the environment and the issue of global warming.
The vote was merely a dozen votes short, of the required number of votes to pass the legislation. This may seem discouraging, but the supporters of a more aggressive approach to battle global warming are optimistic saying that ‘the tide may turn in their favor’. In all reality, most of the opposition came from Republicans. In fact, only 7 Republicans signed for passing the bill, compared to 39 Democrats.
However, there are reasons to be hopeful. Those who support the bill are convinced that the bill will pass, once another president takes over. This is because both presidential candidates, Barak Obama and John McCain, have stated that global warming is an issue they will fight to improve once they become president.
According to Senator Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat, “We will have a Senate next year that I believe will be much more hospitable to this bill and they’ll like this bill,” she said “and we will have a president, either one, who will be hospitable to this subject and we believe will send down a bill to us and work with us.”
In any case, it is hoped that in November things will be more hopeful. By next year, many supporters hope that they will have the appropriate support base to have the bill passed and to create an energy clean economy and protect our environment from the negative consequence of global warming.
Why is it that city dwellers look up into the night sky and have a hard time seeing the stars? The answer is actually very simple- light pollution. Light pollution can be described as the brightening of the night sky, caused by large amounts of artificial outdoor lighting. In the case of light pollution, artificial light is frequently directed aimlessly into the night sky. Light pollution also includes light intrusion, which is the process by which light enters our homes from sources like a bright street light or such.
Light pollution comes from various sources, all of which involve poor lighting fixtures or unnecessary lighting. These sources include: street lamps and lighting, advertising and display lighting, commercial lighting, lighting for sports events and so forth. In any case, many forms of these various of lighting fixtures are typically bad because they allow light to shine upwards, rather than downwards.
How does light pollution affect us?
Light pollution has many effects on both mankind and wildlife, these effects include:
- unnecessary waste in money and energy
- death of migrating birds, who frequently collide with lighted buildings
- negative effects on bird’s behavior
- disrupt the habitats of plants which are dependent on light in their natural cycles
- death of insects who are drawn to the light
- choose outdoor lighting fixtures that shine downwards
- refrain from excessively lighting an area
- use motion sensors, so that lighting is only used when its needed
- buy energy efficient outdoor lighting products
- only light what needs to be lit
As people fight to improve the environment they often speak of finding and using renewable energy sources, lessening pollutants and so forth. However there is a very significant step that we can all take to reduce global warming. It is a step that is both easy and very accessible… planting trees!
Deforestation results in about 25% of carbon emissions, globally. This has been accelerated by the destruction of precious rainforests. Rainforests serve as a ‘cooling band’ along the Earth’s equator, making them play a significant role in climate change. As a result their destruction has had a significant influence on growing global warming. In reality, the effect that deforestation has on carbon emissions actually outweighs the damage caused by factories, cars and so forth.
According the Oxford based Global Canopy Programme, the destruction of rainforests and trees, is only second to the energy sector as a source for carbon emissions. According to the statistics of the Global Canopy Programme:
- Deforestation results in 25% of carbon emissions
- Transportation and Industry result in 14% each, of carbon emissions
- Aviation accounts for 3% of the total carbon emissions
“Tropical forests are the elephant in the living room of climate change,” said Andrew Mitchell, the head of the GCP. As a result the influence that trees have on the health of our environment cannot be overlooked.
Using trees to fight against carbon emissions and global warming, does not require any sort of new technology. It merely requires the will and ability needed to slow the destruction of precious rainforests and to instead encourage the planting of new trees and forests. Governments and individuals need to take the initiative and plant trees in order to protect our environment and ourselves.
Planting trees is not the only way to protect our environment, but it is very significant, effective and relatively easy. Join with Starry Night Lights to protect the environment by saving energy and protecting the night sky. Become a tree hugger- save Mother Nature!
I recently read a “do it yourself” landscape lighting article. It listed all kinds of things that homeowners could do to light up their yards at night. My first thought was, “OMG. You guys are providing some amazingly outdated and wasteful ideas here”. One piece of advice… often seen on any landscape lighting website mentions “pointing outdoor lights up at the foliage” or “placing lights in trees”. Can you say “energy waste” or, how about “light pollution“? Haven’t these guys heard of global warming…. climate change… etc? We simply cannot continue with business as usual, and we can’t have supposed “thought leaders” continuing the myth that this kind of behavior is somehow OK. Get a clue. It is NOT OK to point lights up into trees and the night sky. It is NOT OK to light ones backyard like a federal penitentiary… however “tasteful” you may think it looks. I understand the desire to spruce up the exterior of ones home, but doing so in a way that degrades the environment is simply not acceptable. Because of all this tired old information on landscape lighting ideas, I’ve decided to put down a few of my own.
First up… and most importantly… Do Not Put Your Landscape Lights On Timers Or Photo Cells. This will only ensure that your lights are on way to much. Photo cells by their very nature will guarantee that your landscape lights are on about 12 hours per day. This is crazy… and incredibly wasteful. If you’ve installed landscape lighting so that you can make use of your backyard after dark… then just use a simple light switch and turn the lights on when you’re planning to go out side. This way, you will actually see the fruits of your labor. You’ll be able to entertain in a comfortable, attractive environment, and you’ll only be consuming energy while you’re actually outside enjoying the area. Think about this. For all the snide comments that Hummers get for their poor fuel efficiency, they’re at least turned off when they’re not in use. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an SUV owner leave their vehicles running all day/night long. I can think of a number of neighbors who leave their out door lights on all night long… and even all day long in some cases. Use your outdoor and landscape lighting only when necessary.
Secondly, light only the areas that you’ll actually be using. Light your patio. Light your deck. Light your walkways. Wonderful. This will enable you to enjoy these areas and to move about safely after dark. Please, please, please don’t light your entire yard. Don’t up-light your trees. I know you have trees. Your neighbors know you have trees. There is no good reason on Earth to shine lights on them. People can see them perfectly well by day… and have absolutely no need or desire to see them after dark. Checkout the accompanying image (provided by www.TheLightingPolice.com). Here’s what happens when you put your landscape lights on timers. You simply forget about them. You may enjoy them the few times you’re actually outside at night, but… you forget about them. This guy has a number of trees uplit by flood lights. There was over 3′ of snow in his yard when this picture was taken. His landscape lights were buried deep under the snow, but… because his landscape designer thoughtfully put the entire system on a timer, they’re on from 5pm until 5am 365 days a year… even when the lights are buried under 3 feet of snow. Can you say “wasteful”? How about “global warmer”? If you want landscape lighting so that you can enjoy your yard after dark… make sure that you’re actually outside to enjoy them. If you’re not… then the lights should not be on. Period.
Thirdly, don’t light any areas that don’t need to be lit. This sounds simple enough, but you’d be amazed at how often people shine their landscape lights in places they don’t belong. Don’t light up your entire yard. Especially don’t light up your neighbor’s yard. I can assure you… they don’t want your lights shining into their windows or into their yard. Don’t light up the night sky. Don’t light up any area that you won’t be sitting in our walking through. See, I told you it was pretty simple. Look around your neighborhood after dark and I’m sure that you’ll see a number of homes that really missed this one.
Lighting consumes over 1/4 of all the electricity produced in the US. Outdoor lighting is a very sizable portion of this. In a time of increasing energy costs and concerns over global warming, lighting everything up from dusk to dawn is simply not an acceptable option. Perhaps it was ok at some time in the past (this is debatable), but that time is certainly long gone. Anyway, as you can see… much of what passes for landscape lighting has been overdone or simply done wrong. With just a little thought and consideration, however, you can have the best of both worlds. A beautiful and functional night time backyard AND an responsible energy use scenario. Checkout our Outdoor Lighting Guidelines for more information on the topic.
* Light pollution is excess or obtrusive light created by humans.
* Light pollution is a broad term that refers to multiple problems, all of which are caused by inefficient, annoying or unnecessary use of artificial light.
* Specific types of light pollution include light trespass, over-illumination, and sky glow.
* Light trespass occurs when unwanted light spills over beyond the boundary of the property on which a light is located to adjacent properties. Light trespass is often caused by high or poorly positioned lights. The result is bright night lighting on an area that would otherwise be dark.
* Over-illumination is the excessive use of light. Specifically within the United States, over-illumination is responsible for approximately two million barrels of oil per day in energy wasted.
* Sky glow is the bright glow that can be seen over many cities and towns in the evening. It is caused by light traveling through and being scattered by particulates in the atmosphere. It is worse in heavily polluted areas and will always exist to some extent when the air quality is poor.
* About two thirds of the population of the world and 99% of people in the continental USA and Western Europe never see a truly dark starry sky from where they live because of light pollution.
* When a massive power outage struck southern California in the 1990s, Los Angeles residents reportedly called 911 to express alarm about strange clouds hovering overhead; they were seeing the Milky Way for the first time!
* Light pollution must be addressed by changing the habits of society, so that lighting is used more efficiently, with less waste and less creation of unwanted or unneeded illumination.
* If we all work together, future generations can regain some of the pleasures of seeing a star filled night sky.
Secondly, light only the areas that you’ll actually be using. Light your patio. Light your deck. Light your walkways. Wonderful. This will enable you to enjoy these areas and to move about safely after dark. Please, please, please don’t light your entire yard. Don’t up-light your trees. I know you have trees. Your neighbors know you have trees. There is no good reason on Earth to shine lights on them. People can see them perfectly well by day… and have absolutely no need or desire to see them after dark. Checkout the accompanying image (provided by 
