LED Reflector Replacements for PAR & MR16

Until now, the LED bulbs designed to replace the little reflector-type PAR or MR16 bulbs were a disappointment to buyers. That's a shame. A shame that manufacturers jumped the gun with products that weren't the equal of the incandescent bulbs they were designed to replace.

Now comes a new set of products by manufacturers that have already proven to us that they can provide LED downlights with the brightness to replace incandescent.












The new tiny, screw-in, reflector lamps (bulbs) are designed to replace energy hogging PAR lamps and MR 16 lamps. They provide light levels that are on a par with halogens up to 120 watts, and the light is focused much tighter than an LED downlight.

For further information on these new gems in energy efficient lighting see
LED Retrofit Lamps Now Viable as PAR Halogen and R-Lamp Replacements, by Kevin Willmorth, on page 58 in the July/August edition of Architectural Products Magazine.

There you will find information on the brands tested and approved (GE & CREE), and caveats: Not dimmable, no energy credits (because they can be swapped for incandescent).

Peggy

Recipe Index - Portland

Recipes from our Portland Kitchen

I have spent close to two delightful months here in Portland with my son and daughter-in-law, and our trip is drawing to a close. We’ve had quite an eventful time, with several interesting trips and excursions in and around Portland. As usual, one of our major interests were with different kinds of foods and recipes! People from different parts of the world converging in the US over the years have not forgotten to bring along with them, their traditional culinary expertise. Consequently arrays of global cuisines are available here.

During our picnics and visits to various places of interest, we enjoyed multi-national cuisine from various restaurants and food courts from Oriental to Lebanese - Ethiopian to Western, and not to mention all time favourites from Mexican and Italian cuisines and so many more. Since vegetarianism and vegan foods are in high demand these days, there is no dearth of these dishes in any of the eateries.

I wish to share about all the travel and food experiences we enjoyed here in this new series. I will also be posting the recipes of the different dishes that we prepared at home.

Thank you Yosee for the lively mascot of this series as well.

Blueberry Smoothie
Fruit Punch
BBQ Special - Zuchini Burger
BBQ Special - Grilled Asparagus
BBQ Special - Whole Grilled Musrooms
Grilled Lemon Basil Pesto Pizza
Cauliflower, Capsicum & Rice Casserole
Summer Squash and Tomato Au Gratin
Masa Corn Tortilla
Tomatillo Salsa

Check our other recipe index for traditional South Indian Recipes.

100% Fluorescent Kitchen Lighting

I am having a discussion with another kitchen designer on an industry forum:

Charles is resistant to the idea of using fluorescent lighting; saying he can't achieve the drama with fluorescent that he can with incandescent. Just as we California designers had to learn how to use fluorescent, now the rest of the country is faced with the task. I can honestly say it has been YEARS since I specified an incandescent light in a kitchen I designed. Most of the kitchens I design use 100% fluorescent lighting, and lately, LED lighting.

Here is a kitchen I recently helped to design with 100% fluorescent lighting...There ARE a couple of LED downlights in the adjacent breakfast nook, but they aren't visible at all in the images (and LEDs are even more efficient than fluorescent).

Pretty dramatic, isn't it? Warm, isn't it?

This shows that fluorescent doesn't have to look ghastly cold and green. By carefully choosing the fluorescent lamps (bulbs), we can achieve drama, warmth, even the coziness that once only characterized incandescent lighting. And all the while saving precious energy.

The times they are a-changin'

Peggy

P.S. The contractor on this Silicon Valley project was Ivan Martinovsky, of Martinovsky Construction. A superb remodeling contractor, in case you need one.