lights, Lights, LIGHTS! (Part 2)

We went to Universal Lighting after work yesterday to pick up the lights. Apparently, they close at 5 PM, so having arrived at 4:40 PM, we were a little pressed for time. Jackie helped us choose the lights we needed.

For the front of the house, we had decided on two stylized lights as opposed to flood lights.

We were trying to decide between the black and the white. The black had a fluorescent bulb in it,and the white had an incandescent. The screen on the black had more of an opaque finish, so we decided on the white, since the trim on the house is white, and the screen, although finished, was clearer. Jackie went up to grab them from the stock, and it turned out there was only one! He offered us the display model, and we took it. He was unable to dismantle it on the spot since they were closing so soon, though. I'll have to pick it up today.

I called Harry from Hai Lin Electric to make sure it was possible to put a motion sensor on the circuit with the two front light; he said it was. I picked up a motion sensor to go with the front lights.

For the backyard, I decided that a motion sensor light wasn't really necessary, however, the 300 watt light was only $20 here. I picked up the black 300 watt motion sensor light.

The entryway light fixture currently has a cracked casing. We also decided to get a motion sensor light placed here. I found this one on Amazon for $35:

I know it was also at Universal Electric, so I decided to wait to do a price comparison; it ended up being about $15 cheaper on Amazon. We'll see if there are any shipping and handling fees that would even it out.

lights, Lights, LIGHTS!

I guess there's pretty much a something out there for everything and everyone, huh? It's so hard to decide on light fixtures.

I have to get lights for the backyard, since right now it's just dark at night. I can't believe there were never any lights installed back there! The decision, as seems to be normal, includes a menagerie of factors seemingly unrelated to just having a light there.

Factors:

1. Color or the fixture
2. Wattage of the lights
3. Height of the fixture
4. Motion Sensor or not
5. Where to place the switch? (Kitchen or back room)
   
6. What brand of light to get?
7. What do the reviews say on the light?
8. If it's a motion sensor light, should the motion sensor override the "Off" position of the switch?
9. If it's a motion sensor light, should the "On" position of the switch override the timer?
10. How much are replacement bulbs?
11. How often do the bulbs blow out?
12. What's the coverage area of the motion sensor? (150, 180, 220, or 270 degrees)
13. How accurately can you set the sensitivity of the motion sensor?
    

A trip to Universal Lighting was all kinds of no help. They have no prices listed on their products, and it's impossible to get someone to help you. Apparently, you have to be a contractor to get taken care of . We finally took some items to the front desk and got a price check. We thought one of the lights was cheaper at Home Depot, so we decided to go check it out over there. It turned out not to be cheaper, so we're making another trip to Universal Lighting today. Harry from Hai Lin Electric is supposed to meet us there, so we can get his advise on things.

We want to get a motion sensor light for the from foyer, between the gate and the doors. We found one at Universal Lighting that they're selling for $50.
Amazon has the same light for $35. We're going to order from Amazon.

The front of the house is also really dark at night. We considered placing one flood light above the garage, but we decided that it would look really ugly. Two smaller lights on the sides of the garage would be more aesthetically pleasing, so we're also looking for lights to put there.

I found these two on Amazon:

I like this one better

This one would serve its function, and it's $7 cheaper.

As with everything else, we'll go back to Universal Electric to check out what they have and price check. If we can get something that doesn't need to be shipped, then that's better.