Start Spring Cleaning With BLT Direct

The weather may be dismal, but believe it or not, Spring is fast approaching. In just weeks, daffodils will burst into life, trees will be regaining their leaves once more and the traditional ‘Spring clean’ will be carried out in homes all across the country. At this time of year, many people like to spruce up their homes by throwing out old rubbish and performing the menial DIY tasks that they hadn’t got round to in the course of the previous year. For many, this could be replacing old light bulbs or introducing a few new lamps in each room to brighten the place up a little. BLT Direct, one of Britain’s foremost suppliers of lighting solutions, has a bulb to suit every occasion and will surely be the first stop for many as they embark on their Spring cleaning missions.

The GLS 100-watt BC Pearl bulb is possibly the most common of all domestic light bulbs and will be stocked up on this Spring as people look to replace the ones which might have little life remaining. The bayonet base ensures that the bulb fits a huge variety of fixtures, and the Pearl colour ensures simple, effective illumination at the flick of a switch. The GLS bulbs are currently available from BLT Direct in a box of 10 for just £10.49.

For those who may have made it their new year’s resolution to stock up on energy-saving light bulbs, the GLS Energy-Saving 11-watt BC bulbs are intended to be a direct replacement for the traditional incandescent bulbs. As with the conventional bulbs, they fit a massive variety of lamps and fixtures, but unlike the older bulbs they offer a 70% reduction in heat output, an 80% saving in energy consumption and a 90% decrease in UV output. The predicted energy saved for just one bulb over the course of its life is a huge £47.04; a great investment considering the bulbs are available individually from BLT Direct priced at just £4.99 each.

Perhaps this spring clean calls for a little revamp of old light fittings. BLT Direct has an extensive selection of Domestic Light Fittings which can add a classic or modern edge to any bathroom, kitchen or garden. With four different styles of decorative ceramic uplights, a huge range of waterproof bathroom fittings and mains-connected garden lights in a variety of colours, there will surely be something to suit every mini-renovation requirement.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

Domestic Lighting Fixtures From BLT Direct

As we go about our everyday life, we often overlook the many types of light fixtures that are used in domestic situations. It is important that the lights used in a home setting are stylish and elegant, whilst also being able to house bulbs which will provide adequate light without consuming too much energy. BLT Direct, a lighting solution supplier based in the UK, have an exquisite range of domestic light fittings and fixtures which can help to make a house feel more like a home.

Ceramic uplights are a great way to provide light in a communal living space such as a living room or dining area. They can give any room a cosy, homely feel without imposing too much harsh lighting. The Acel Quarter Sphere Uplight With Glass Base requires a 60-watt GLS lightbulb (also available at BLT Direct) to illuminate it and comes unglazed and ready to paint should this be necessary. The contemporary design will modernise any living area and provide an elegant lighting solution for when an overhead light is simply too much. This ceramic fitting is available for just £32.58.

Bathroom lighting is often difficult to choose, with many regulations to think about and comply to regarding light fittings in bathrooms. BLT Direct offers a stunning selection of decorative and traditional pull cords available in brass, chrome or white finishes to fit any décor scheme. No bathroom is complete without a decent mirror and prices start at just £123.42 for a backlit mirror with energy-saving lightbulbs and protection from water spray and condensation. The range of barlights at BLT Direct is also varied and with their Zone 2 Splashproof IP44 rating they are a must for any bathroom.

Track lighting can be a contemporary way to illuminate a whole room or just bring attention to an accent or feature. BLT Direct has in stock a superb selection of track lighting, ranging from single spotlights to triple spotlights. This modern fixtures require a GU10 bulb, which come with a range of different bases unique to each fitting; it is always worth double-checking the bulb base a fitting will require before purchasing it. Made from either chrome or satin chrome, these practical fixtures can be manoeuvred to face any direction, making them a versatile and worthwhile purchase for any home. Prices start at just £13.16 for a single spot, with the triple spotlights on a round base at a budget-friendly £44.87.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

Make Energy-Saving Your New Year's Resolution With BLT Direct

2012 has arrived, and has brought with it many resolutions for the year ahead. Many people vow to join a gym, cut out junk food or stop smoking at the start of a new year and lots of people find these targets hard to maintain, but for an easy, effective and sustainable resolution, why not make it your objective to convert to energy-saving light bulbs? BLT Direct, one of the UK's largest suppliers of lighting solutions, has a huge range of offers on their energy-saving range which can help make the switch to environmentally-friendly lighting hassle-free.

The Energy Saving GLS Light Bulbs available from BLT Direct are intended to be a direct replacement for the traditional incandescent light bulbs that are slowly being taken off the shelves. Efforts to boost eco-friendly lighting solutions mean that the older bulbs are being discontinued and replaced by their more modern counterparts. GLS light bulbs come in a huge variety of sizes, colours and wattages to ensure that they are compatible with as many existing light fixtures as possible. They come with either the BC (Bayonet cap) base or the ES (Edison screw) base, two of the most popular light bases available. They are slightly more expensive than traditional incandescent bulbs but with 80% savings in energy consumption and a lifespan of up to 8,000 hours, the money invested into energy-saving light solutions makes them a worthwhile purchase.

Another popular form of energy-saving light solutions is the GU10 Light Bulbs, which fit any existing GU10 light fitting which has a retractable back. These bulbs are high-power, low-energy bulbs and can last for up to 14 years when used for ten hours a day; a whole lifetime if used more sparingly. Their longevity and cost-effective methods ensure that a house fully kitten out with these bulbs will save hundreds of pounds on electricity bills over the years. With recession looming once more as we start 2012, any areas where money can be saved must surely be explored.

For a household which has a lot of atmospheric candle lamps, there is also a solution in BLT Direct's Energy Saving Candle Light Bulbs. Exactly the same size and shape as the existing bulbs, which have high energy-consumption and give off a lot of useless heat energy, these direct replacements don't compromise on quality and are ideal for anywhere where a soft mood light is required. Available with Bayonet caps, Edison screws and their smaller counterparts, these perfectly formed bulbs will go a long way to ensuring an energy-saving new year's resolution will be completed.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

The Benefits of LED Lights

Technology is advancing these days at what can only be called light-speed. Aspects of everyday life are continually being improved upon, and this is especially true for the light bulb industry. With so many new rules and regulations regarding energy consumption and eco-friendly electrical appliances, the old halogen bulbs are slowly being outlawed in favour of modern alternatives such as the LED light. LEDs, or 'light-emitting diodes' have come to prominence in the last few years to coincide with traditional incandescent bulbs being taken off the market. Companies such as BLT Direct, one of the UK's largest suppliers of lighting solutions, have huge ranges of LED lights on offer. But what's so good about LEDs?

The biggest difference between traditional bulbs and LED light bulbs is their life expectancy; an incandescent light bulb can last for up to 5,000 hours where an LED light has an average lifespan of 100,000 hours – that's 11 years of continuous operation! This makes the LED not only good to use as a regular lighting solution, but ideal for lights which may be in difficult places to access, impairing the ability to change them regularly. The staggering lifespan also contributes to money-saving; a single LED may cost more than an old-fashioned incandescent bulb but money will be saved over the number of replacements that will have been escaped by using an LED.

The savings also translate to power and energy, keeping electricity bills lower than ever. LED bulbs operate at 80% efficiency, meaning that LEDs convert 80% of their energy into light, as opposed to the mere 20% of the older types of bulb. If all lights in all homes were changed to LEDs there would be massive effects for electricity bills. Unlike halogens or incandescent bulbs, LEDs produce light and no heat, upping their efficiency massively. They also don't produce any harmful UV radiation, meaning that they don't only help to cut energy costs, but carbon footprints too. When it eventually does come to changing an LED light bulb (in many decades' time), they are easily recyclable as they don't contain any Mercury and will not damage the environment.

LEDs are just as adaptable as halogen and incandescent bulbs, if not more so. They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes to fit any light fixture. The selection of colours they are available in is also fairly extensive, from the decorative blue, red and green to shades resembling daylight which can be used to brighten up any room without access to natural light.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

A Guide To Common Bulb Bases

Choosing a bulb for a light fixture can be tricky business; there are so many different wattages and colours, with varying sizes to choose from. One of the most confusing aspects of choosing light bulbs can be getting the base right; every DIY expert has, at some point or another, managed to find him or herself with the wrong bulb to match a fixture. BLT Direct, one of the UK's leading suppliers of lighting solutions, have a huge selection of light bulbs with many different types of base; here are the five most popular bases they stock.

The bayonet cap is probably the most familiar light bulb to the majority of customers, with it's familiar shape and the easy-to-follow 'push then twist' action used to connect it to the light fixture. They come in two sizes, 22mm and 15mm, and they are most commonly used for mains voltage lamps. There are occasionally some variants, such as the 3-pin bayonet cap, but for standard household fittings the basic bayonet cap, known as a 'BC', will suffice. This Box Of 10 GLS 60-watt Pearl bulbs are a very common and standard bulb with a bayonet cap, created to fit a variety of applications and available at BLT Direct for just £10.49.

Another of the most well-known light bulb bases is the Edison screw, named after the inventor Thomas Edison who was credited with creating the electric light bulb as we know it today. There are many different sizes of Edison screw base so it is worth checking any fixtures for the exact measurement before purchasing. As in the name, the Edison base screws into place and are usually used in domestic settings. They are used the world over, and the fact that the base comes in many different sizes means that it is versatile and adaptable. Also available in a standard shape and a 'warm white' shade, BLT Direct has a Box Of 10 Energy Saving GLS light bulbs which come with the Edison screw base and are available for £11.99.

GU10 bulbs are coming into prominence with the slow phasing-out of halogen bulbs; it is important to know which sort of fixtures these bulbs will fit. They are seen as like-for-like replacements for their outlawed halogen cousins, with more energy-saving capabilities and a longer life. The GU10 bulbs are generally twist and lock bulbs, similar to bayonet caps, and will generally fit many domestic fixtures such as desk or ceiling lamps. Single GU10 Energy-Saving 11-watt light bulb are available in wonderful daylight colours from just £4.99 at BLT Direct.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

Get Some Much Needed Daylight With BLT Direct's Daylight Bulbs

With the UK spending more time in darkness than we do in light for the next few months over Winter, it is unlikely that many of us will get to see much daylight whilst going about our working day. However, BLT Direct, one of the UK's leading suppliers of lighting solutions, has in stock a range known as daylight light bulbs. It can often feel dull coming home in the dark to artificial light, but these light bulbs are made to simulate natural daylight. They provide a much whiter light than the traditional 'yellow' bulbs and enable us to distinguish colour as effectively as we do in daylight. Users of these daylight light bulbs report less eye strain when living or working in a naturally-lit area.

With halogen lamps gradually being phased out, looking for alternatives has never been more vital. The Energy Saving GU10 7 Watt Daylight bulb is considered to be a genuine replacement for the traditional halogen bulbs. The colour of lighting is measured on the Kelvin (K) scale – lower colour temperatures tend to contain more red light and therefore appear 'warmer', with higher colour temperatures containing more blue and appearing 'colder'. The standard light bulb generally sits around 2700K , whereas the GU10 daylight bulbs at BLT Direct are 6500K; much closer to natural daylight than the bulbs the majority of people currently use. These bulbs also have incredible lamp life, lasting for approximately 8,000 hours and saving on average 80% on running costs. The potential saving on electricity over just one of the bulbs' estimated lifetimes is £31.68 – this bulb is available for just £4.99.

The daylight bulbs come with a whole range of bases, including the popular GLS base. The Energy Saving GLS 11 Watt Daylight bulb are a like for like replacement for the old GLS types, and are an ideal solution for new installations, where more focus is placed on energy consumption. These bulbs are hugely energy-efficient, with 70% reduction on heat output, 80% reduction in the energy it consumes and a massive 90% reduction on UV output. Purchasing just one of these bulbs for £4.99 can save you £47.04 over the lifespan of the bulb. They provide a relaxing, daylight hue without compromising on energy-saving restrictions.

Using daylight bulbs in a commercial space can also be extremely beneficial; boosting productivity in the workplace or improving the aesthetic of a retail space. BLT Direct also stock daylight fluorescent light bulb tubes, in all voltages and wattages. Their Fluorescent T5 Daylight Tubes save 80% on running costs, making them green and eco-friendly, whilst also taking lighting solutions off your mind, for the next 10,000 hours at least, as that is their expected lamp life. There are currently daylight tube lights available at just £2.17 each for a 6-watt bulb, going up to £5.99 for the 80-watt counterpart.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

Stock Up For Winter Nights With BLT Direct

The clocks have gone back and the dark nights are drawing in much earlier for the residents of the UK. From now until next March, we spend more time in darkness than we do in light. This means that people will be looking for innovative and effective ways to brighten up their homes without breaking the bank. BLT Direct has been a leading supplier of lighting solutions for the best part of a decade, with a great selection of energy saving light bulbs, halogen lamps, LED lights and all sorts of light fittings. Their special offers are great for anyone looking for stylish ways to illuminate their home this winter.

The kitchen is always a much-used room in the winter months, whether sending the children off to school with a hot breakfast inside them, cooking a warm stew on a cold evening or spending the last days before Christmas preparing a turkey. The 13 Watt Fluorescent Smilight Tube Lights currently on offer at BLT Direct are a great addition to the underside of cupboards in any kitchen, providing a warm white light which is not only practical when preparing food, but also looks welcoming and homely and fitting with all colour schemes. The recommended retail price (RRP) of each tube light is £9.99, but BLT Direct is currently offering a set of three 420mm long lights for just £14.93, a saving of more than 50%.

Winter has always been synonymous with the festive season, and BLT Direct’s fantastic range of decorative Christmas lights provides excellent choice for people with all budgets. Their 120 LED Blue Fairy Light Set is a sophisticated way to illuminate a Christmas tree or the outside of a house and comes with 8 different pulsating controllable via a remote. Add a splash of colour to your Christmas decorations - the elegant 6-metre set with an additional 5-metre wire is currently in the clearance section of BLT Direct and priced at just £9.99, saving 33% on the previous price.

BLT Direct also has a wide variety of conventional bulbs on offer, with both 60-watt and 100-watt GLS bulbs (more commonly known as a standard light bulb) currently on sale. The bulbs have a bayonet base, compatible with a huge range of existing light fittings and lamps. With the intended phasing out of the incandescent light bulb, prices of these types of bulbs have been pushed up, and they will soon be impossible to find at a reasonable price. Stock up now at BLT Direct, where prices remain low and stock is plentiful. A box of 10 GLS Pearl bulbs (100-watt or 60-watt) costs just £10.49 (excluding VAT).

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com