| Powering the House: Introduction |
From "Home IQ"
episode DHIQ-111 |
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In this week's episode of Home IQ we're lighting up the Oberg's new home from the wires behind the walls to the beautiful chandelier in the foyer. Before the electricians arrive to start running the lines, known as the "electrical rough-in," there's plenty of planning that must take place. Like many other aspects of the home-building process, the electrical system begins with the floor plans. Each electrical outlet, light switch and power source is identified on the plan with industry-standard symbols that anyone working on the house can understand. Note: For more information concerning electrical symbols and what they mean, you can visit the Electricians' Toolbox website, click here.
In DIY's new Home IQ series, you'll follow the Oberg family during the decision-making process of building this beautiful new home.
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In this week's episode of Home IQ, you'll see the lights turned on and how the Oberg home is powered.
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According to Alvin Sain, a professional engineer, it's a great idea to get out the floor plan for electrical purposes and layout the furniture that's going to be in each room of the house. Lay it out on the plan and think about where you'll want electrical switches, receptacles, fixtures, etc. This will definitely save you time in the long run.Without spending time with the floor plans and layout, opportunities could be missed. For example, in the Oberg home alone, the following are just some of the fun electrical aspects: - Lighted Pot Rack over the kitchen island.
- Dramatic Chandelier in the front hallway.
- Recessed Accent Lights spread throughout the house.
Lighted Pot Rack
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Chandelier
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Recessed Accent Lights
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The lighting is one of the largest parts of any home's electrical system. The Oberg homebuilder gave the homeowners a lighting budget and a lighting-supply store where they could shop.The Oberg's lighting consultant, Caren Carter from Steling Lite, visited the home to get ideas, and when the homeowners show up to shop for lighting fixtures (figure A -- Carter is in the middle), she already has some suggestions. She spends time with Brad and Lynn to get a feel for what the couple wants. - First, the three look at outdoor lights and surprisingly, the choice (figure B) was an easy one.
- After four hours of shopping the only decision that's been made is the outdoor lights. The kitchen is the focus next, and Lynn did decide to go with the pot rack we featured, above.
- The Oberg daughters were involved in choosing the lighting for their bedrooms (figure C), but the overall task of picking lights for the entire house became a multiple-trips-to-the-store process.
In the next segment the electricians arrive to the job site to begin the electrical rough-in.
RESOURCES :
Lighting for Oberg Home (Lutron Electronics and Sterling Lite)
Lutron Electronics Co. Inc.
Website: www.lutron.com
Sterling Lite, Inc.
20800 Rt. 19
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Phone: 724-772-7474
Fax: 724-772-3286
E-mail: sterlite@stargate.net
GUESTS :
Brad and Lynn Oberg
Homeowners
Company: IBACOS (Brad)
Title: Co-Founder/Chief Technology Officer
Website: www.ibacos.com
Greg Allen
Site Supervisor
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: buildm@zoominternet.net
Website: hendolhursthomes.com
John Holton
Senior Architect
Ibacos
Website: www.ibacos.com
Phil Scheetz
Residential Systems Sales Rep.
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
7200 Sutter Rd.
Coopersburg, PA 18036
Phone: 610-282-6274
E-mail: pscheetz@lutron.com
Website: www.lutron.com
Alvin Sain
Professional Engineer
E-mail: alsain@zbzoom.net
Caren Carter
Lighting Sales Consultant
Sterling Lite, Inc.
20800 Rt. 19
Cranberry Township, PA 16066-6006
Phone: 724-772-7474
Fax: 724-772-3286
E-mail: sterlite@stargate.net
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