Lighting
TYPES OF LIGHTS
Lighting is usually one of the last things to be installed in a new home. If the budget is getting tight quite often it is an area where cheaper fixtures will be used to save money. This is one area where you should not allow for shortcuts. Cheaper fixtures and bulbs provide less effective lighting,cost more to run over time, increasing electricity demand resulting in higher bills and greenhouse emissions.
INCANDESCENT LAMPS
- lncandescent lamps or bulbs which are inexpensive to buy but expensive to run are the most commonly used type of lighting. They work by heating an electric element to white hot.
- Halogen lights are also a type of incandescent lamp are more expensive to buy , last longer but are still not energy efficient. They do not fit in standard fixtures.
FLUORESCENT LAMPS
- Fluorescent lamps are the most energy efficient form of lighting for households. They work by causing a phosphor coating in the inside of a glass tube to glow. Different types of phosphor give different colour light.
- Although more expensive to buy they are much cheaper to run and can last up to ten thousand hours. With careful design they can replace incandescent and halogen lights in most situations.
They also produce less heat, helping keep your home cooler in summer.
- Fluorescent lamps use only about one quarter of the energy used by incandescent bulbs to provide the same light level.
- There are two main types of fluorescent lamps - tubular and compact.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT LIGHT
- Natural light is the best type of lighting for most tasks and is free. siting your home and windows to take advantage of this should be condsidered.
- For more specific lighting needs always choose the appropriate fixtures and bulbs. Task lighting can be used only as needed in very specific areas, which will result in lower electricity costs. There is no need to light the entire room if it is not necessary for the task at hand.
- Research the different types of fixtures so you are familiar with the reasons that one is more suitable than another depending on the use.
- The type of glass, shape of fixture and the bulb used will all have a direct impact on how efficient the lighting is.
- Use fluorescent lights where lighting is required for long periods of time, such as living rooms, over kitchen counters or on desks.Fluorescents take a minute or so to reach their full brightness so they may not be suitable in areas where immediate light is required.
- The light output of CFLs is reduced at low temperatures, so they may not be suitable for outside use in very cold areas, or you may need to use a higher wattage lamp.
- Try to use incandescent lights for general or task lighting only in rooms used infrequently and for short periods, such as laundries and toilets.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT LIGHT
Low-voltage lights provide more light than ordinary incandescent light bulbs for a given amount of electricity, fluorescent lights are far more efficient. They deliver over four times more light than incandescent bulbs using the same amount of electricity. Recessed ceiling lights may also penetrate ceiling insulation, resulting in greater heat losses in winter.
Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs are truly efficient.
It is usually advisable to turn a fluorescent light off if it's not going to be needed for 15 minutes or more.
In summary a few points to remember:
- Take advantage of natural light or choose solar powered lights whenever possible.
Install the most efficient fixture and bulb for the task
- Turn off lights when not needed and use timers to control exterior
or security lighting.
Most homes could probably reduce the amount of energy they use for lighting by 50 percent or more.
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