Lighting

Lightings accounts for 15% of electricity in a normal household. Therefore, investing in efficient lighting saves a great deal. Workout the difference yourself.

A 9W compact fluorescent lamp gives as much light as a 75W incandescent lamp. Yet, the two bulbs will affect your electricity bill differently.

A LED uses approximately 1/8^th of energy of an incandescent lamp.
It is cost effective when the life cycle cost is considered
Has a higher efficiency - higher output of light
Has Around 20 times longer lifetime than an incandescent lamp

These lamps are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colours to suit your taste. The colour depends on the Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT), which is a measure of whiteness (chromaticity) in degrees Kelvin (K). A higher CCT makes an object more bluish-white, while a lower CCT makes an object reddish white. Warm light usually has a colour temperature below 5,000 K while a cooler temperature is above 3,200 K. An incandescent lamp has a CCT of 2,800 K.

We should choose the right light and direct it to the right place. Different rooms and setting require different lighting levels. Activities like reading, writing and stitching require higher levels of lighting. However, watching TV and having meals don’t require so much light.

The following table gives you an idea of lighting levels in some frequently used areas. (Total quantity of visible light emitted by a source per unit of time is measured in lumen.)

Appliance	Lumens/m³
Sitting	50
Reading room	300
Kitchen	200
Bathroom	100
Entrance	100
Office	200
Garage / outdoor	50

Activities like reading, writing and stitching require higher levels of lighting. However, watching TV and having meals don’t require so much light.

You can use various lighting systems to illuminate your space fashionably, at the same time, giving due respect to efficient lighting. Here are some common applications.

Lighting system	Usable areas
Rope lighting	Tiny lights are embedded in a long, plastic tube that can be bent. They can be used where dusting is difficult and only a small amount of light is required, such as tops of cabinets.
Cupboard lights	They are halogen puck shaped lights or tiny track lights, which illuminate objects in the open or in glass fronted cabinets.
Under cabinet lights	They add brightness to work areas, such as kitchen work tops.
Metals	They give a softer look and are either metal or painted to look metal-in particular, pewter, rusted-looking iron, wrought iron, brushed nickel and bronze and stainless steel. They are most used in kitchens.
Dimmer switches	These allow the brightness to be turned down to create a softer mood, and save electricity.
Glass beaded shades	In this type, each bead catches a little light and glows.
Pendant lights	They dangle from the ceiling on cord chains.
Reproduction fixtures	They are used to match an arts crafts home or blend with mission style furniture.
Wall scones	They are shaped like half-moon to light hallways and stairways.
Recessed lights	These are useful when the ceiling height is under 2.5 m and it is preferred when fixtures do not hang down.
Touchier	These are floor lamps that point upwards, thereby provide a lot of light without harshness.

Good lighting practices

Space	Practice
Bathroom	General lighting from luminaires, side mounted lights around the mirror Spotlights for a wonderful sense of colour and space Only cord-pull switches, which are water, steam and splash proof
Bedroom	Brighter lights for the dressing table and wardrobes Reading lights around the bed Soft-toned lights to enrich design and enhance mood Overhead lighting fitted to a dimmer switch to enable alteration of lighting intensity
Dining room	Soft and warm wall lights, either in white or with a hint of colour that enhances the wall colour Spotlight to enhance a favourite painting or an ornament Accent lighting, such as small halogen lights inside cupboards Provision of dimmer switches to adjust the lighting levels to suit the occasion or task
Corridors and stairs	Energy saving lamps, as lamps in such places need to be glowing most of the time A bright pool of lighting the floor at the end of the corridor to create a welcoming effect No spotlights on stairways to avoid dangerous shadow
Kitchen	Recessed ceiling lights or up lighters to provide basic background light Strip lighting over work surfaces to provide bright light required for working Luminaires to be concealed under wall mounted units
Living room	Consider the lighting system as a series of layers Sensible to use a number of side or table lamps to fill the lights where and when required Spotlights can be used to add a real sense of style and elegance
Work rooms	Bright white halogen lighting for detailed work or hobbies Sufficient overhead lighting to illuminate keyboard areas Avoid glare and screen reflection of computers