Electric light sources are technically called lamps. However, people may find this confusing and may prefer to use more familiar words, such as "bulb" for an incandescent lamp and "tube" for a fluorescent lamp.
Incandescent Lamps
Incandescent lamps, while inefficient and relatively short-lived, remain the most popular light source for residential applications. Incandescent lamps are available in wide range of wattages and low wattage forms, they are easily dimmable and normally quiet, the color is generally warm and complements skin tone, and they are good general choice for accent lighting, downlighting and task lighting.
Fluorescent Lamps
While it is difficult to control the light direction, fluorescent lamps create light very efficiently - more than 4 times as efficient as incandescent lamps. They last a long time - most of them 10,000 to 20,000 hours - and thus dominate commercial, industrial, and institutional applications. They also create less heat and less glare than incandescent lamps. Some people object to the use of fluorescent lighting. There are three basic issues, some valid, some not:
• Most people dislike the flat quality of fluorescent light in certain areas. This is quite valid: dramatic lighting is more interesting and attractive. On the other hand, the quality of fluorescent lighting is very appropriate for task areas. So apply the technology sensibly.
• Some people remember older fluorescent lighting with poor color, flicker, and humming ballasts. These concerns are no longer valid: today's lamps offer good color, and electronic ballasts operate quietly and without flicker.
• Finally, many people consider fluorescent fixtures to be unattractive. While style is always a personal choice, there are many new and attractive fluorescent products.
Halogen Lamps
Halogen lamps are another good options. While they are slightly more expensive than incandescent lamps, they last longer (around 3,000 hours) and are 20% more efficient. Also, the color rendering capacity for halogen bulbs is high which makes them one of the better choices for detail-oriented task lighting, such as desk lamps, or accent lighting for wall art.
High Intensity Discharge Lamps
High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps generate a strong electric arc through a gas mixture. HID lamps are used primarily in outdoor, industrial and commercial applications. They have the most compact sources and the highest output levels of all lamps.
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Both function and aesthetics are important to consider when choosing lighting for any room in your house. Are you trying to create ambiance or provide enough light for comfortably completing tasks. In many or most cases it’s a little of both, whether it be your office or dining room. Then on top of that, what type of lighting style or design is most pleasing to you and flows with your overall décor? Combinations of ambient, accent, decorative and task lighting usually do the job perfectly. (See Lighting Options below.)
Functional Considerations:
How do I determine the correct amount of wattage to properly illuminate a room?
Example: For a 12’ by 16’ room, multiply the room dimensions to get your total square footage (12 x 16=192). Then multiply the square footage by 1.5 for total illumination needed (192 x 1.5 = 288 watts).
For specific task lighting within a space (for instance, the light needed on an island in your kitchen) multiply the square footage of the island (e.g., 4’ x 8’ = 32 sq feet) then multiply by 2.5. In this case, for a 32 sq. foot island, 80 watts is needed. Therefore, two 40-watt pendants would do the job.
Determining the Best Style:
To find the right style fixture, simply begin with a color or a material that is predominant in the decoration scheme of the room. What catches your eye in the room? What type of statement do you want to make? If the room is more traditional, choose fixtures with more ornamentation and decorative details. If your home is modern, opt for less ornamentation and simpler details. The type of finish you like or that matches well with your other furnishings will help determine the material of your fixture. Finish is the most important factor today and it should compliment surrounding furnishings and accessories.
To get the best balance of illumination in a room for function and decorative style, opt for layers of light. This will also increase the appeal or welcoming feeling of a room.
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Combinations of ambient, accent, decorative and task lighting usually do the job perfectly.
Ambient Lighting is the general background light all around us. It softens contrasts between brightly lighted areas and the surrounding areas. In most rooms, it is desirable to have the major ambient light source dimmable.
Decorative Lighting serves little purpose other than to look pretty. Decorative lights emphasize the style in a room. Tiffany lamps are a good example. They don’t provide good task lighting or ambient light and they don’t accent anything. But they are so beautiful! This can be the same for grand or miniature chandeliers in the foyer or dining room. They may provide some ambient light but they are more a statement of style.
Accent Lighting is what you use when you want to highlight particular areas in your home or spotlight an impressive art piece or architectural interest. Accent lighting is also used within or under cabinets to illuminate what’s inside or directly below. To be dramatic, accent lighting should be more intense than the surrounding area.
Task Lighting is extremely important and should not be overlooked. Task lighting directs light on a particular area or surface with minimal glare and shadows in order to make the task at hand easier on your eyes and therefore more enjoyable. It creates a work space that allows for better concentration and added safety. Remember to use task lighting together with proper ambient light, or eye strain will increase.
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Call the professional and dedicated 1STOPlighting Customer Service Department for guidance at 1-866-203-5392.