​With general lighting, the terms watts and lumens help us to understand how much energy our lights will use (watts) and how much light they will produce (lumens). While these measurements are useful for , they aren’t the most relevant. Home growers, greenhouse farmers, medicinal plant growers and commercial plant growers all strive to optimize and accelerate plant growth by replicating the ideal conditions for photosynthesis. So, what factors should be considered when purchasing 1. What PPF or PPFD measurements are best for the grow lights? ​Let’s start back at the basics. The visible light s ..read more

In an ongoing effort to conserve energy, two new rules have been adopted by the United States Department of Energy regarding the definition, production and sales of . So what does it all mean and how are you affected? ​1. The sale of general service lamps is prohibited after July 31, 2023. Since 2007 when President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), we’ve known that incandescent and halogen technologies were being phased out to encourage more energy-efficient options. This act required manufacturers to stop producing certain types of bulbs, however it still allowed re ..read more

Which Filter is Right for my Broan-NuTone Range Hood? help you to maintain maximum performance from your kitchen, bar or restaurant . Broan-NuTone offers an enormous selection of high-quality and very effective models, but it can be hard to know which filter is right for your appliance. What are popular types of Broan-NuTone range hood filters? Two popular types of Broan-NuTone range hood filters are . They each have slightly different functions and operate best in specific circumstances. are used in ducted range hoods. Ducted means that these hoods are vented to outside air and not just insid ..read more

It’s mid-summer and by now we’re well acquainted with those pesky bugs who keep us company in the evenings while spending time out on the patio. We’re faced with the dilemma of keeping the bug-attracting lights on or turning them off and sitting in the dark. Maybe we don’t have to make that choice after all!  ​Insects are only able to see three colors on the visible light spectrum – ultraviolet, blue and green. Since they are unable to perceive yellow, it has become a popular color choice when it comes to ! Not to be confused with a bug zapper, bug lights do not repel or kill bugs, t ..read more

With a worldwide population of around 7.4 billion people, you can only imagine how much energy we consume. To quantify it, we use BTUs to measure how much energy we produce. A BTU roughly equates to the amount of energy released when a single match is lit. According to , we produce 78 million BTU per person, per year, worldwide – that’s 2.5 match strikes, per second, per person! America makes up 1/6th of the world’s energy consumption. We can all do our part to cut down on our energy usage. One small way to make a difference is by switching to LED lighting. LED lighting can reduce energy usage ..read more

Founded and celebrated by the National Fire Protection Associate (NFPA), October is Fire Prevention Month. This year, Fire Prevention Week is October 6th – October 12th. In commemoration of the Great Fire of Chicago in 1871, local Fire Departments will educate their community and encourage everyone to practice fire safety by checking your smoke alarms and creating an escape plan in case of fire. Three out of five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no working smoke alarms and the #1 cause of accidental home deaths is Carbon Monoxide. Smoke and CO alarms should be checked monthly ..read more

Channellock: Hardworking Pliers Made by Hard Working Americans ​Founded in 1886 by a blacksmith, Channellock’s beginnings are humble and proud. George B. DeArment began hand-forging farrier’s tools in a small factory and then sold them in town out of the back of his wagon. His business eventually became known as the Champion Bolt & Clipper Company. DeArment founded his company on four guiding still followed today: good management is never far from the factory floor, people are more important than machines, bigger doesn’t always mean better and dedication to excellence is the surest way to ..read more

​​Not too long ago, 2020 was imagined having flying cars and futuristic technology that was off the charts. However, there are many who are still using a product that has not changed much since it was manufactured for commercial use in the 1800s; the incandescent light bulb. Not only do incandescent bulbs have a short lifespan and low efficiency, they are also bad for the environment – producing a tremendous amount of carbon dioxide. California, a front-runner in environment preservation, has proactively stepped up again and put an end to the use of incandescent bulbs within their state. The C ..read more

Gardner Bender: Innovative & Quality Products began to produce his first mold for his patented aluminum conduit bender with a small loan from his father-in-law. By 1969, he had redesigned and patented an improved fish tape for pulling wires through conduit. Just six years later, was producing 13 different hand benders, 3 types of fish tapes, wire connectors and other items needed for electrical installation and maintenance projects. Gardner Bender has a wide selection of and more! Their well-known and award-winning products continue to lead the way alongside its sister brands: Bergen Instr ..read more

​If you work in a medical or wastewater treatment facility, you are likely familiar with , or UV, lamps. For those who are not familiar with these specialty bulbs, let’s take a look at how they work and some of their common uses.  Germicidal lamps produce short-wavelength ultraviolet, or UVC, light These short-wave UV light rays are between 100nm and 280nm on the spectrum of visible light. This type of light leads to the eradication of harmful bacteria and viruses by disrupting its DNA structure. They are ideal for use where disinfection is the primary goal. Germicidal lamps are also used ..read more