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j3l2404

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Posts:7

06/30/2009 1:00 AM
I am building a new home and we have run into a small lighting "issue". Our builder is telling us that a light at the top and bottom of the basement staircase will not be sufficient and will leave the center of the staircase fairly dark. Our builder is suggesting a wall sconce or two (he will not make a penny off of this as we would buy the fixtures and the electrician will install them). We hate wall sconces and are looking for a better option. The rest of the house is full of LED can lights or fixtures with CFLs. Are there good energy-efficient options that do not involve a wall sconce?

ld_n_Tex

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06/30/2009 1:39 AM
Step Lighting acgelectronics and many others make products for this purpose. They will illuminate the steps much like walking into a movie theater after the first 25 minures of previews have run, just in time to safely catch the movie. Its an option if you do not want to put a can in the ceiling or sconce on the wall.

Brock

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Posts:431

07/02/2009 3:29 PM
I would also recommend tread or wall lighting. The ones in my brother’s house came with a regular base 40w appliance lamp. I swapped them out for 7 W CF's, works great. They had three on the wall evenly spaced out rather than in the tread, which lit up the stairs more evenly. Honestly I doubt you will need it unless the top fixture is somehow blocking the light shining down as in an open top fixture with decoration on the bottom.

Green Bay, WI. - 4 ton horizontal, 16k gallon indoor pool, 1.8kw solar PV setup, 3400 sq ft

Bill55AZ

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08/09/2009 11:35 AM
Wall sconces in a hall or stair way get easily damaged when moving furnishings in or out, flush lighting is preferred....been there, repaired that...

arkie6

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Posts:150

08/09/2009 12:27 PM
Posted By j3l2404 on 06/30/2009 1:00 AM I am building a new home and we have run into a small lighting "issue". Our builder is telling us that a light at the top and bottom of the basement staircase will not be sufficient and will leave the center of the staircase fairly dark. Our builder is suggesting a wall sconce or two (he will not make a penny off of this as we would buy the fixtures and the electrician will install them). We hate wall sconces and are looking for a better option. The rest of the house is full of LED can lights or fixtures with CFLs. Are there good energy-efficient options that do not involve a wall sconce? Why not just install another can light with CFL or LED in the middle of the staircase ceiling? If the drywall is already up, you can use a retrofit recessed can light with IC (insulation contact) rating.

Brock

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Posts:431

08/12/2009 11:21 AM
Bill I agree. I should have clarified I was referring to flush wall lighting in the stairwell. The other advantage is you can usually get at one side or the other of a basement stair wall.

Green Bay, WI. - 4 ton horizontal, 16k gallon indoor pool, 1.8kw solar PV setup, 3400 sq ft

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