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A Lighting Guide for Family Game Nights

  • 04 Sep, 2018

Family game night is a general term for an event in which a group of family members or friends gather together to enjoy all types of games. Not only is the game selection important, but it's also important to have the proper lighting for the game you're playing.

An electrician has the tools, experience, and equipment to help set up your home for dozens of different games. Browse through each game type to see how improved lighting can help you and your guest enjoy the visuals, atmosphere, and experience of every game.

Board Game Tables

If board games are your game of choice, then you know how important it is to read every card, roll of the dice, or detail on the game board. Poor or dim lighting can hinder the playing experience and cause the players to miss small but important details.

A section of evenly spaced, recessed lighting can be installed directly over the board game table. If you use bright bulbs, then the board will be fully illuminated and eliminate harsh shadows that can interfere with the game.

Once the lighting is configured, the wiring can be set for customization. For example, even if the whole room has recessed lighting, the board game area can be configured to have its own light switch so that just those lights will turn on while you’re playing.

Performance Games

Another fun type of game that you can play during a family game night is a performance game. These types of games include classics like Charades or Pictionary but may also include newer variations of these games.

Performance games can be taken to the next level with the use of track lighting. A track lighting set features individual bulbs set on a track. The lights can move and adjust down the track as needed.

When playing a performance game, track lighting is an ideal option for creating a spotlight effect. The track lights can shine directly on a performer and increase the fun and excitement of a game. If two players go head to head, then two spotlights can easily be created using the track light.

Video Game Lighting

Thanks to a lot of family-based games and interactive options, video games have now become an integral part of family game nights. The lighting you need while you play video games is different than lighting for a traditional card or board game, and it can be a little trickier.

The key to lighting for these games is to eliminate glare on televisions while still providing enough light for players to see, interact, and enjoy snacks together. Of course, you also want the players to be able to see their controllers as well.

This is why ambient lighting is one of the best options when it comes to playing video games. These lights can add some light, but they won’t shine towards the television or create a glare.

Another lighting feature to consider installing is a dimmer switch for the other lights in the room. This way you can adjust the lighting depending on the game you’re playing.

The low light settings are also ideal for watching TV shows and movies, and a dimming feature can create a comfortable atmosphere for everyone at the home. In addition, you can use the dimming feature to set other moods as well, for example, during date night, dim lights can be very romantic.
An electrician can survey a room to determine the best spots for lights and help set up the best options for gaming. Schedule a consultation with one of our electricians at Payne Electric Co. We can help set up your home for plenty of great gaming in the years to come.

By Admin September 4, 2018
A generator must be available in case of serious emergencies. This means that it needs to be in good working order at all times to be able to function at a moment’s notice even if it has not been used in years. Regular maintenance on a generator can result in the difference between life and death in the situations where it is suddenly needed.
By Admin September 4, 2018

Your yard is an investment that can pay dividends in several ways. Not only does it provide a haven for family and friends to play and socialize in, but it also can add attraction for potential buyers. One way to enhance your investment and get even more out of your yard now and in the future is to install landscape lighting.

If you spend a lot of time outside, then landscape lighting is a no-brainer. Why not extend the amount of time you can be out in your yard adding illumination? Here are some of the

By Admin September 4, 2018

Did you know that presence of electrical faults is among the top five causes of residential fires? When your life, your family, your home and all you hold dear is on the line, get a professional for any electrical service you require!

Payne Electrical Co. has been providing excellent customer care and professional electric service to businesses and homes in Kentucky and Indiana since 1953. We want to earn your trust and to take care of your needs as well.

We provide residential electrical services such as any repairs you might need, rewires, breaker upgrades, and lighting for your yard, and much more. Do you have any iffy outlets? Do not risk it; get them fixed by a professional. Need to upgrade your old fuse box to a breaker panel? Call us! Look, when it comes to electrical work, you need a certified professional to do the work for your home the right way.

We also provide electrical tie-ins for room additions or remodels, and we can wire throughout the home for computer cabling. Do you live in a storm-prone area? We can ground your entire house to prevent damage to your electronics from lightning strikes. Contact Payne Electrical Co. and ensure your safety with our team!

By Admin September 4, 2018

Owning your own home means embracing a world of new responsibilities that may sometimes be surprising or difficult to understand. If you don't have experience in dealing with a specific problem, you might know about important warning signs which can highlight a potential issue. Your electrical wiring likely falls into this category.

Making sure that your home keeps up with industry standards can seem like a real challenge, but if you take the time to learn about how your home functions, that challenge is likely to drop off. If you identify electrical issues before they compound, you can guarantee that you're not at risk of untimely or dangerous breakdowns.

Below, you'll find a guide to some warning signs that your home may display when your electrical wiring needs to be replaced. Awareness of these signs is the first important step in responding to them, and that response is absolutely essential for allowing you to remain safe and secure.

By Admin September 4, 2018

The lights are flickering. They aren't going off completely, and they aren't flickering 100 percent of the time. But something is definitely going on with them. Flickering lights aren't normal. Even though they may not seem like a big deal, it's possible that you're witnessing a symptom of something serious. The problem here is that you don't know why they're flickering or what to do about it.

Taking a wait-and-watch approach may seem like a money-saving option, but it may cause your electric system excess damage in the long-run. Understanding the causes behind this electrical issue is the first step to getting help. While you might not be able to pinpoint the exact cause, having some ideas of what the culprit is can make a conversation with your electric contractor easier.

What causes a home's light to flicker off and on? Take a look at some of the most common culprits behind this electrical issue.

September 4, 2018

Electrical safety is a major issue. Even though electrical problems are far from the first cause of residential fires (cooking causes the most fires resulting in injuries), these fires still happen. On top of that, 6.8% of home electrical fires end up in human injury, according to FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration. This makes preventing them a top priority.

Luckily, you can take several steps to keep your home safe. While accidents can happen, they don't have to be the norm. Between some basic knowledge and regular maintenance from a qualified electrician, you can reduce the risk to yourself, your family and your property.

How can you help to keep your house safe — electrically speaking? Start with some education. Keep in mind, you don't need to go to technical school or take electrical lessons. Leave the repairs and maintenance to the pros. Instead, take a look at what you should watch out for, avoid and call the experts to fix.

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