NV License #0093851
Northern Nevada's Lighting Specialist
Old Values. New Tech. Real Results. Reno Electric crafts layered lighting environments that transform how your Reno home looks, feels, and functions.
My name is Nick, and I look at interior lighting differently. You can have the most beautiful home in Reno, but if the lighting is poor, the architecture looks flat, the colors look muddy, and the mood feels off. I have spent my career mastering the technical side of illumination because I believe a great electrician does not just hang a fixture—they craft an environment.
What sets me apart from other electrical companies in Northern Nevada is the professional touch and the deep knowledge base I bring to the initial consultation. I take a diagnostic approach to your space—looking at the way natural light hits your rooms, the height of your ceilings, and the specific ways you use each area of your house.
At Reno Electric, our philosophy is where old-school craftsmanship meets modern-day tech. I take immense pride in the professional touch we bring to every job site. In an industry where some companies are content to do the bare minimum, I believe in providing a service that reflects my deep roots in this community. We show up sharp, work clean, and leave your space better than we found it. We are a Reno original: locally owned, community-rooted, and proud of our work. It is not just about power; it is about trust.
Interior lighting design is the strategic planning and placement of light sources to create a layered effect within a home. It is a sophisticated blend of art and science. When I talk about design, I am referring to three specific types of light that must work in harmony: ambient (general) lighting, task (functional) lighting, and accent (aesthetic) lighting.
The base layer that provides a uniform level of light throughout a room, allowing you to move around safely. This is your general illumination foundation.
Focused light where work happens—under-cabinet lights in the kitchen for food prep or a dedicated beam in a reading nook. Functional and precise.
The jewelry of the room. It highlights artwork, architectural features, or bookshelves to create depth and visual interest throughout your space.
Replacing your interior lighting or designing a new layout means reclaiming the atmosphere of your home. It means transitioning from a house that feels functional to a home that feels designer. For your home, this service means updated safety, significantly lower energy bills, and a layout that actually follows the way you live. Whether we are installing recessed wafer lights, elegant pendants, or sophisticated LED cove lighting, we are building a foundation for your home’s aesthetic and your personal well-being.
Standard light fixtures can physically hang on a ceiling for decades, but their internal components and the technology they use have a definitive shelf life. Modern LED fixtures are rated to last anywhere from 15 to 25 years depending on usage. However, the wiring, the sockets, and the dimming modules are often the first things to fail. In many of Reno’s older homes, the lighting systems are running on outdated tech that is not only inefficient but can become a safety hazard.
If your lights flicker when the AC kicks on, or even when things are quiet, it usually indicates a loose connection or a failing driver in an LED fixture.
This is a classic sign of a voltage mismatch between your dimmer switch and your light bulbs, or it could be a sign of a failing transformer.
Brown or yellow heat rings on the ceiling around your recessed lights mean those fixtures are running too hot and represent a major fire risk.
If your home feels dingy or yellow despite having all the lights on, your bulbs likely have a low Color Rendering Index (CRI) or are reaching end of life.
If you take down an old fixture and see that the insulation on the wires is crumbling, your lighting system is compromised and needs an immediate update.
These issues are typically the result of technological fatigue. As electricity passes through components year after year, heat is generated. Over time, that heat makes plastic brittle and metal connections loose. Furthermore, many older homes in Northern Nevada were built with non-IC rated recessed cans, meaning they were not designed to be in contact with attic insulation. This creates a trap for heat, leading to the discoloration and fire risks mentioned above. In 2026, we use IC-rated LED technology that stays cool to the touch and can be safely surrounded by insulation, eliminating these hazards entirely.
Then vs. Now
If you compare a home built in the 1990s or early 2000s to a home we are wiring in 2026, the difference is night and day. In the 90s, lighting was an afterthought. Builders usually installed a single flush-mount fixture in the center of the room and called it a day. These fixtures used incandescent or halogen bulbs that pulled a massive amount of energy and created a lot of heat.
In 2026, lighting is about wellness. Modern systems adjust their color temperature throughout the day to match your body's natural rhythms—bright and energizing in the morning, and warm and calming in the evening.
90s lights made everything look flat. Modern LEDs have a CRI of 90+, meaning the colors of your furniture, paint, and food look exactly the way they were intended to look.
Lighting in 2026 has become part of the architecture itself. We use sculptural silhouettes and textured materials like ribbed glass or perforated metal to shape how a space feels rather than just brightening it.
A single 90s halogen bulb could pull 75 watts. Today, I can light an entire room with that same 75 watts using high-efficiency LEDs that work quietly in the background.
If your home is still operating on turn-of-the-century lighting tech, you are living in a shadows-and-glare world. I encourage you to contact me, Nick at Reno Electric, to discuss an interior lighting redesign. We bring old values of quality and the new tech of 2026 to every project.
We do not just show up and start cutting holes. Lighting is permanent, so we make sure the plan is perfect before the first wire is pulled.
Step 01
I walk through your home with you. We discuss how you use each room—do you host dinner parties? Do you have a home office? This diagnostic phase is where we decide on placement and layering.
Step 02
We use laser levels and mapping tools to ensure that your new recessed lights are perfectly symmetrical. There is nothing worse than crooked lights, and my old-school craftsmanship means I obsess over the alignment.
Step 03
I check your existing electrical panel to ensure it can handle the new load. Even though LEDs use less power, adding 20 or 30 new lights requires a look at your circuit distribution.
Step 04
We use specialized tools to cut through drywall with minimal dust. My team, including Juan and Dre, works sharp and works clean. We protect your furniture and flooring before we start.
Step 05
We install the controls. Whether you want standard dimmers or a fully automated system, we ensure the dimming curve is smooth, with no buzzing and no flickering.
Step 06
Once the lights are in, we do not just leave. We wait for the sun to go down if necessary to ensure the aim of the accent lights is perfect and that you are 100% happy with the results.
A typical interior lighting project can take anywhere from a single day for a few rooms to a full week for an entire house. You should expect some noise and minor dust, although we do our best to mitigate it. You do not necessarily need to be out of the house, but we will need clear access to the rooms we are working in. If we are working in a kitchen, for example, please clear the counters of food and small appliances so we can move freely.
Before We Begin
Electricity is dangerous, and interior lighting projects often involve working near insulation and structural beams. While we are working, I ask that you keep a safe distance from the ladders and the work zones.
If your home was built before 1978, there is a possibility of lead paint. We use HEPA-filtered vacuums to ensure no contaminants are spread.
Please do not attempt to help by removing old fixtures before we arrive. Old wires can be brittle, and hot wires can be hidden behind old boxes.
If we are working in your attic, please ensure the pathway to the attic access is clear. We take precautions to ensure your insulation is not compressed or displaced, which maintains your home's energy efficiency.
Common Questions
You can, but it is often a temporary fix. Old fixtures were not designed for the way LED bulbs dissipate heat. You might find that the bulbs burn out quickly or flicker. A dedicated LED fixture or a properly retrofitted housing is always a better, safer long-term investment.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but generally, Reno homeowners prefer 3000K. It is soft white, not too yellow like a candle, but not too blue like a hospital. However, if you have a lot of modern gray tones in your home, we might look at 3500K to keep the colors looking crisp.
In 2026, most high-quality smart switches require a neutral wire to stay powered up while the lights are off. If your home was built before the mid-80s, you might not have one. Part of my diagnostic process is checking for this so we can choose the right tech for your specific wiring.
Not at all, but the way we do it has changed. We no longer use large six-inch cans that look like Swiss cheese on your ceiling. We now use two-inch or three-inch architectural apertures that disappear into the ceiling while providing even more light than the old ones.
My team and I work clean. We use vacuum-attached saws for drywall cuts and we drop-cloth every inch of the work area. As my clients often say, we leave the space better than we found it.
Client Stories
★★★★★
“Nick is a phenomenal electrician! He handled our electrical troubleshooting with a great attitude and total transparency. It’s hard to find an honest electrician, but Nick does things right the first time. If you need expert electrical repairs or a dependable electrician for your home, he is the one and only to call. We will be using his services for years to come.”
★★★★★
“Great price. Nick and his team were so great to work with. I needed last-minute electrical service, and they went out of their way to fit me in. They did an excellent job at a very fair price. I truly appreciate their responsiveness and professionalism!”
Your home is your sanctuary, and the lighting is what brings that sanctuary to life. At Reno Electric, we do not just wire buildings; we light up every corner of Northern Nevada with a commitment to trust and excellence. If you are tired of living in a home that feels dark, dated, or dangerous, let us talk. I will bring my diagnostic eye and my team's professional touch to help you design a system that powers your lifestyle and showcases your home in its best possible light.Old Values. New Tech. Real Results. Contact Nick at Reno Electric today to schedule your interior lighting consultation. Let us make your home the brightest spot in Reno.
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