Our History
It was 1988 we embarked on a niche mission to convert gas lanterns to electric and install new low voltage electric post lanterns. Natural gas prices were approximately $5.00/month to operate them, but all signs pointed to their costs rising fast. They climbed from $8/month in the early 90’s to over $20/month in the late 90’s, until hovering around $35/month in the early 2000’s. Not only were costs steadily rising, but our customers found them difficult to maintain. They still are. Over the last eight years or so, fracking has kept their cost down at approximately $21/month, and current energy forecasters have gas costs rising again. Mantels break up into little pieces within a few months, and though some gas companies in various states replace them cheaply, customers pay dearly in the end. A sizable monthly operational cost is built into the bill in every state, and when one truly understands what fracking does to our environment, these costs add up even more, (both ecologically and economically). Making matters worse; whether gas lights are hit by your local landscaper or left to the wind, customers never experience any sense of permanency. Atlanta Gas-Light exited the gas light market years ago, fully aware they weren’t as energy efficient as advertised. They were a headache. Even if a homeowner endured the cumbersome process of maintaining them, they were never efficient, at least like heating a home with natural gas.
We stayed the course and continued installing new low voltage lanterns and converting gas lights to low voltage electric, and we only got better. Our customers appreciated it, and soon, homeowner associations across metro Atlanta began to notice. They employed us, and also referred us. By the new millennium no less than 12 metro homeowner associations were keeping us on their email list. Today that number has grown to 20, and HOA presidents are offering testimonies about more than low voltage. After maintaining our motto of keeping customers first, word kept traveling. In 2016, Gamasonic USA heard about our high customer service levels and requested we serve as an independent dealer for their products. We agreed, and it’s been a great relationship ever since. Our mission has grown, our coverage has grown, and by small margins, so have we.
oUR MISSION
Our mission is to provide both security and aesthetic lighting solutions for residential homes and businesses via superior solar and low voltage lighting products. We also commonly serve HOA’s and community groups throughout the region. We accomplish this by selling and installing a diverse product line, ranging from a single light in the front or back yard to a comprehensive lighting system. Since both low voltage and solar cost far less than 110 volt wired systems, our beautiful lighting systems compliment any home. We also now serve Charlotte, N.C., Chattanooga/ Nashville TN, and Columbus, Georgia. With new Morph technology that captures a scant amount of sunlight and powers a light for a week, we are serving the Midwest in 2022. Our top sellers are profiled below. You may notice they still include low voltage products as many customers still crave the meat and potatoes of lighting, but the bulk of our services are now broadened by the vast Gamasonic U.S.A. product line. Who should you use us? Everyone in that range group above, in addition to small and medium size city governments who are planning parks and new boardwalk areas and want to do so with rich, beautiful, cost effective lighting. We sell all products for less, usually less than Gamasonic even, and we perform all installations. By less we also mean far less than your local electrician, and our service is performed far more expertly than most relatives or local maintenance men who sometimes know everything. Whether it’s a long driveway where several lights are desired, one or two poles in the front or back yard, or illuminating a modest garden area; we relate to your need to beautify your home, and we also do the physical stuff. We also create a vision for your home with our design services or expertly implement your vision to the letter. Call us today at (678)849-8691 in Atlanta or at (704) 953-5105 in the Charlotte/Raleigh area to arrange an installation or sale.
- Convert old and costly gas lanterns to low voltAGE ELECTRIC OR LED, this product /Service is only Available BETWEEN METRO Atlanta AND CHARLOTTE, NC.
Our Products/Services
Like our low voltage and LED systems, Gamasonic solar lights come complete with dusk to dawn operation and they are all tops in the residential lighting industry. With new Morph technology Gamasonic systems last an average of ten years. That’s solar panels AND bulbs lasting ten years, and their cost of operation is as free as sunshine, with battery replacement every three years. Lighting output is comparable or brighter than gas lanterns, be they low voltage or solar. With every job we paint your old existing pole a rich black gloss enamel, making it look almost new. If your old pole has seen better days, we simply replace it with a rust proof one and discard the old pole. Our service and the products are proven. Our demanding homeowners would have it no other way. We also sell lights with over 500 Lumens of lighting output, and a standard two year warranty comes with everything, all backed by Gamasonic. All low voltage wiring has a warranty backed by us, but our customers rarely need it. From our transformers to our photocells to the sun resistant wiring we use; and even our bulbs. We use only top rated, industry approved UL parts known to offer our customers long lasting satisfaction. Expect the low voltage conversions to last 8-10 years before needing a part, beyond the bulbs.
As the only authorized dealers for Gamasonic U.S.A. in America, we sell state of the art pathway lights you rarely find anywhere else. Our Shepard Hooks and Contemporary Square pathway lights alone rival the light from wired low voltage systems. Other post lanterns, like the Imperial 111 and Everest 11 offer enough light to illuminate broad areas for up to six days from a single four hour charge. In case you’re wondering, we also;
-Convert gas lanterns to Gamasonic solar, the best in the industry
-Convert gas lanterns to LED (currently only in Atlanta area).
-Install new solar post lanterns with new, 7 foot rust proof poles-cemented underground.
-Install new low voltage post lanterns with cast iron tops and rust proof poles-also cemented underground.
-Relace old poles with new rust proof new ones.
-Replace and paint mailboxes (currently only In metro Atlanta area, but subject to change).
-Take old lights out that customers no longer want and cap gas lines.
-Replace solar batteries and diagnose most any underperforming lighting systems.
-Sell a complete array of lighting products for less!
Policy and Procedure
Start with a phone call. We’ll share as much information as possible about our products and where you can find them locally. If we can help we will. If we can’t, we’ll tell you up front and not waste our mutual time. If you have a gas light, we may ask that you send us a picture of it and gently shake your existing pole (if you have one). If it wobbles an inch or more, we recommend replacing it. And when we do arrive, we practice social distancing while demonstrating the products right in your driveway. We don’t ask to come inside your home for anything, as it’s not necessary to do so. Low voltage connections are generally wired to the garage unless surrounding concrete prohibits it. If you’re over 50 miles from Norcross, Ga., there may be a $50 consulting fee, but that’s removed if purchasing and installing our products. We generally want you to know what our products look like before arriving, and most of the time we can give you a reference in your own community or refer you to Gamasonics or our own website right here. Generally, if it’s beautiful and reliable, it’s here to begin with.
Our Integrity
A customer first attitude while delivering superior service guide the way we do business. Over 20 metro Atlanta HOA presidents and hundreds of individuals speak to our desire to deliver what Your Light Doctor promises.
“ Byron converted my gas lantern to low voltage electric and converted over 25 gas lanterns to The Solar Candlelabra in 2017. All I have had to do is replace a few bulbs twice a year, saving lots of money on natural gas. (No solar lights have replaced batteries yet). I found Byron to be honest, reasonably priced and extremely conscientious about his business and his work. He is a man of integrity, stands behind his work, and always promptly returns calls and/or emails. All of our residents are satisfied and I highly recommend him and his team of installers.”
— Alan S. Marmulstein-past president of Ashworth subdivision-Dunwoody, GA
“Once we found Byron Rivers and realized the quality of his work and his dependability, he is the only contractor we recommend to our homeowners for gas lamp conversions. He is easy to deal with, fairly priced and will make sure the job is done right.”
— Dick LoPresti, HOA President
Love these lights!!!! I purchased the garden path lights and also the candelabra. I am so impressed with the high quality and they are very attractive. They illuminate the front of my house beautifully. I would definitely recommend them, they are truly the best. Thank you Byron for being so courteous and professional. I feel I have truly gained a friend.