Lighting Basics for the Home

Sept. 12, 2011 - PRLog -- There are several types of lighting for every room in the home or office.

The first and most commonly used is the 130-year-old technology found in incandescent bulbs – first used at the turn of the 20th century. At present, the Department of Energy (DOE) has mandated a ban on certain incandescent bulbs that will be phased out of supply in the coming months.

The second common bulb purchased, the compact and linear fluorescent bulbs, has been popular since the mid-80’s. Although this technology is a more efficient source of light when compared to the incandescent bulb, it is rapidly being replaced. The fluorescent lamp uses about 75% less energy consumed as compared to an incandescent. The light produced by a fluorescent tube is generated by an electric current conducted through mercury and inert gases. While CFL (twist types) are typically self-ballasted, the linear fluorescents require a ballast inside the fixture. While these lamps have made improvements and are now able to be dimmed with a special dimming ballast, they are still not most efficient and energy saving types of lighting available. Although the advancements in technology over the past several years has reduced the overall mercury content, they still contain a hazard if the bulb is broken.

Today’s most optimal choice for energy and cost savings in the home and workplace is the Light Emitting Diode, also called LED. LEDs not only last up to 50 times longer than an incandescent, they also produce minimal heat dissipation, are more durable, have dimming capabilities, offer better quality lighting and use up to 90% less energy when compared to Incandescent.

When searching for fluorescent or LED type bulbs, be sure to look at the Kelvin temperature rating. This term does not indicate how bright the bulb is, but rather the relative warm or cool tones of white light that is perceived from the lamp. The ideal Kelvin temperature for a warm feeling in the bedrooms, hallways, offices, living spaces is a CFL reading of 2700K (warm white) – 3500K (soft white). For kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, and garage spaces you may want to choose a whiter, cooler tone of 4100K (cool white) – 5000K (daylight).

Priority Lighting recommends installing energy efficient bulbs in the five most used fixtures found in the home.

•   Kitchen – Recessed lighting R30 or R40 incandescent, fluorescent, or PAR30 and PAR38 LEDs. For under cabinet lights you can use LED puck or LED strip lights as well as linear fluorescents.
•   Living Spaces – Here again, recessed lighting would benefit from the use of R and PAR type light bulbs. Table or floor lamps are great candidates for CFL’s and A type LEDs.
•   Bathroom – Vanity style lights can be replaced with CFL globe shaped lamps. Most consumers prefer a more warm tone light in this application.
•   Bedrooms – Fluorescent and LEDs are a cooler source of light output and cool to the touch. Using these types should help decrease “hot spots”.
•   Outdoor – Replacing halogens with LED low voltage (12v) type lamps and fixtures.

To reduce our carbon footprint, switch to LEDs. This will have the greatest impact on helping our planet “go green” and dramatically reducing our nation’s overall energy consumption. The DOE states that widespread use of LEDs can save 348 TWh which is equivalent to the annual electric output of 44 large power plants and a total savings of $30 billion dollars.

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Priority Lighting is a national distributor and service provider of light bulbs, ballasts, and fixtures. We stock a full array of energy-efficient lighting products. We understand that excellent service is only achieved when we consistently deliver high quality, reliable merchandise at the lowest prices available on the market. To ensure your complete satisfaction Priority Lighting guarantees all of its products. Our goal is to offer exceptional service and superior grade lighting to our valued customers.