Lighting can make a big difference in how you feel about your home. It helps you perform tasks more easily, makes you feel safer and more comfortable, and allows you to enjoy your home to its full potential. Lighting adds beauty and drama to a room. It can make a small room look open and airy, and large rooms appear cozy and inviting. It can create a stimulating atmosphere for a night of entertaining, or a quiet feeling of relaxation after a long, tiring day. In so many ways, lighting can make a difference. And, it does so inexpensively compared to other home decorating or remodeling options.

 

Determining your needs

 

    Lighting should be planned to complement your lifestyle. So, first you need to develop a home lighting plan that suits your individual needs and those of your family. When planning your lighting, look at the activities that occur in each room, the atmosphere you want to create and the decorative elements you wish to emphasize. Keep in mind that light can be absorbed and even wasted in dark-colored rooms, or reflected and used as additional illumination in light-colored rooms. Also, take note of those areas serving more than a single purpose and those that will require more than one type of lighting. If you need assistance with your plan, a Certified Lighting Consultant at your local ALA showroom will be happy to help.

 

The fundamentals

 

    There are three basic types of lighting that work together to light your home: General, Task and Accent . A good lighting plan combines all three types to light an area, according to function and style

 

 

    Why change to energy saving? Here are a few reasons which we think make sense to go green!

• In most homes, lighting accounts for around 10-15 per cent of an electricity bill.

• Traditional incandescent light bulbs (also referred to as GLS bulbs) waste a lot of their energy by turning it into heat. An electric current is passed through a resistive filament, causing it to glow very bright, giving of light. The glow also generates a lot of heat, hence incandescent bulbs are hot to touch when they are on. In comparison to what technology is available today, they are energy inefficient and also suffer from having a very short life in comparison to energy saving bulbs, 1000 hours versus 6000+ hours.

• Energy saving light bulbs work in the same way as fluorescent light bulbs. An electric current passes through gas in a tube, making the tube's coating glow brightly. There is a ballast or transformer fitted into the base of the energy saving bulb which controls the supply of electricity to the bulb, allowing for a small surge of power for a millisecond to light the bulb and then reducing the electricity flow to a very low level. This reduces the amount of electricity a fluorescent light bulb uses in comparison to a normal incandescent light bulb. This is the principle with which energy saving bulbs work.

• Help keep your electricity bills down by using energy saving light bulbs around your home and work place. They use around 80% less electricity and can last up to 12 years.

We offer energy saving bulbs in two main families:

1. Retrofit

2. GLS replacement

All our energy saving bulbs can be fitted directly into the lampholder, and can replace existing GLS bulbs. They are very simple to use.

Not sure which wattage you should buy?

A standard 60W GLS bulb will give an output of approximately 600 to 700 lumens. So when you are replacing it with an energy saving one, you need to match it with one which will give you the same amount of lumens.

Reftrofit energy saving light bulbs have short fluorescent tubes with u-turns built in, so that they are very compact. The have a stick like appearance and are the most economical solution if you want to switch to or replace energy saving light bulbs.

 

 

Questions

What's energy saving bulb?

Why should I buy energy saving light bulbs?

How long do energy saving bulbs last?

Will a energy saving light bulb work in my regular socket?

Aren't fluorescent lights always harsh, more glaring?

Don't energy saving light bulbs flicker when you turn them on?

Why are the wattage numbers on energy saving light bulbs different from regular bulbs?

What wattages are available in energy saving bulbs?

What effect will using energy saving light bulbs have on our environment?

Where can I use energy saving light bulbs?

Can the energy saving light bulb be dimmed?

Can energy saving light bulb be operated with direct voltage?

Does a frequent turning on of energy saving light bulb lead to a shortened life?

Is a substitution for energy saving bulb on the staircase possible and sensible?

Does a energy saving bulb consume more electricity when switched on than when in permanent operation?

Why does energy saving light bulb 20W appear much darker than a light bulb of 100W?

Is the mercury in the energy saving bulb ecologically reasonable?

Do energy saving light bulb contain radioactive constituents?

Is there a broadcast reception interference if energy saving light bulb are used?

What else should I keep in mind?

 

Answers

 

What's energy saving light bulb?

Energy saving bulb ( also called compact fluorescent bulb, energy saving lamp, compact fluorescent light bulb and compact fluorescent lamp) generates their light on the same principle as fluorescent lamps. An electrical charge is passed through mercury vapour between two electrodes. This electrical field causes the vapour to emit invisible UV radiation. Fluorescent material applied to the inside of the glass tube converts the UV radiation into visible light. Different fluorescent materials give the light different colour appearances.

 

By giving the lamps more than one tube and bending each tube back on itself, lamp designers have managed to reduce the overall length of energy saving light bulbs. They are now not much bigger than ordinary light bulbs.

 

 

 

Why should I buy energy saving bulbs?

Because they will save you money on your electric bill and they last longer than standard bulbs. They virtually pay for themselves! The energy saving light bulbs that replaces your old 75 watt incandescent bulb will save you $44.00 (on average) in energy costs.* Over the life of the energy saving light bulb, that's a 70%-75% savings vs. incandescents. Multiply that by the number of lamps in your home - and you've saved a lot.

 

*At $0.08 per kWH, national average energy rate, over life of energy saving light bulb.

 

 

 

How long do energy saving light bulbs last?

Energy saving light bulbs last at least 5,000 hours - that's five times longer than your old bulbs!

 

If you used a lamp in the evening from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. - every day of the year - the lamp would produce beautiful, warm light for more than four and one-half years!

 

 

 

Will a energy saving bulb work in my regular socket?

Yes. . . energy saving light bulbs fit perfectly in your standard incandescent sockets.

 

 

 

Aren't fluorescent lights always harsh, more glaring?

No. . energy saving light bulbs have been designed to produce warm, pleasing light. You'll find it similar to our soft white bulbs.

 

 

 

Don't energy saving light bulbs flicker when you turn them on?

No. . . Special technology eliminates this problem.

 

 

 

Why are the wattage numbers on energy saving bulbs different from regular bulbs?

Energy saving light bulb numbers are lower because the bulbs use less electricity. The technology makes the ultimate use of every watt. Although a energy saving light bulb burns about as brightly as an incandescent, it uses much less power, saving you money, and thus has a lower wattage rating.

 

 

 

What wattages are available in energy saving light bulbs?

Energy saving light bulbs are available to replace 25-, 40-, 60-, 75-, 100-, and 150-watt incandescents.

 

For example, a 15-watt compact fluorescent can replace a 75-watts incandescent bulb.

 

*Fluorescent light output that is equal to the incandescent it replaces. Fluorescent lamp lumens decline during its longer life.

 

 

 

What effect will using energy saving bulbs have on our environment?

If high efficiency lighting products were used by everyone, we could reduce the amount of electricity needed for lighting by 50%. *Also, recycling efforts would be helped since there would be five times less old bulbs to throw out.

 

* Environmental Protection Needed.

 

 

 

Where can I use energy saving light bulbs?

Energy saving light bulbs are great for table lamps, downlighting, wall sconces, corridor lighting and enclosed outdoor fixtures.

 

 

 

Can the energy saving bulb be dimmed?

A brightness control is not permissable and also not possible.

Reason :

 

The electronic pre-switch system of the lamp contains a rectifier with a post-switch smoothing condensor (Elko). The Elko is always charged to the highest value of the alternating current, the mains current flowing quickly towards and as far as the maximum mains voltage. This configuration prohibits the operation of dimmers available in the trade as phase on and off dimmers damage the Elko due to their steep voltage gradient.

Most dimmers need a minimal load many times so that - even with a fully turned-on dimmer - its switching element does not find sufficient stopping power and therefore it switches on and off constantly. This damages energy saving light bulb until it is destroyed and also endangers the dimmer.

 

 

Can energy saving light bulb be operated with direct voltage?

Usually, 5W to 11W E27 and 5W to 7W E14 can be operated on a direct voltage between 176V to 340V besides the usual alternating power usage. This means, for instance, energy saving light bulb may be operated with battery supplied 220/230V facilities in internal areas. At the lower limit of 176V the lamps will light perfectly in a environment with a temperature of 5¡ãC to 50¡ãC. They are not sensitive to over-voltages of the direct current grid up to 340V. energy saving light bulb attains its relevant nominal data with direct voltage operation of 310V. The following typical deviations occur with other direct voltage values.

 

Table 1 : Electric and technical lighting data in direct voltage operation

 

 

Provision voltage Perfornance uptake Light power 

310V DC  100%  100% 

220V DC  70%  70% 

180V DC  55%  55% 

 

(*) = in percent

 

Sometime, 7W to 11W are also in principal suitable for emergency lighting facilities.

 

 

Does a frequent turning on of energy saving bulb lead to a shortened life?

A shortened life with frequent turning on of energy saving light bulbs only applies to the operation on conventional pre-switch systems.

 

LONGLIFE energy saving light bulb have in their base E27 an integrated EVG. Due to the optimally adjusted electronics with a precisely defined warm start, the LONGLIFE energy saving light bulb can be started especially gently. In this way they can be turned on just as frequently as light bulbs, provided that, before they are turned on again, there is an interval of 2 Minutes adhered to for the cold conductor to cool down.

 

LONGLIFE energy saving light bulb attained even more than 500,000 switch ons when tested. These lamps can be used everywhere in the household without suffering a reduction in the life.

 

 

 

Is a substitution of lamps for energy saving light bulb on the staircase possible and sensible?

A substitution for energy saving light bulbs is only sensible if the the switch intervals are not too short.

It takes, after all, ca. 2 minutes at room temperatue until a DULUX has attained its full lighting output = brightness and therefore a turning off should not take place before the passing of this time period.

With a switching rhythm of 30 seconds to switch ON and 150 seconds to switch OFFwith the DULUX EL LONGLIFE, the number of switchings during the lifespan to a level of more than 500,000 has been attained

A noteworthy shortening of the life span only occurs if the switch off time is less than 2 minutes, which with staircase illumination happens especially frequently in the early hours of 7.00 hrs and 9.00 hrs in the morning and with automatic timeswitches as well.

In such a case, one should switch over to permanent operation during this time period so that no shortening of life span is experienced.

 

 

Does an energy saving bulb consume more electricity when switched on than when in permanent operation?

The power consumption when turning on a energy saving light bulb is not higher than that during permanent operation.

 

When turning on, there is a higher current flow in- similar to light bulbs - but this is only for the duration of ca. 170ms and is not registered by the electricity meter.

 

A frequent turning on, therefore, has no negative influence on the power consumption.

 

 

Why does energy saving light bulb 20W appear much darker than a light bulb of 100W ?

Energy saving light bulb 20W is 1200lm, and the light power of a 100W bulb is 1380 lm. From it you can see that the energy saving light bulb 20W with in light power would be approximately equivalent to a "87W light bulb".

 

As bulbs of this performance level are not available on the market, it was decided to select for the pictogram on the outer packaging the nearest possible comparable output level in light power of conventional bulbs.

 

This enables the customer to assess this product.

 

It is to be observed that energy saving light bulbs will require 2 minutes burn-in time after having been turned on until the full light power is attained.

 

Upon turning on, the light power amounts to approximately 40%.

 

It must also be taken into consideration that the energy saving light bulb is a compact fluorescent lamp which has totally different deflection properties (i.e., distribution of light strength and light colour) if compared to a light bulb.

 

You may, of course, if you wish to receive more light, go to the next highest output level ( 23W) without any problems and you will still save a great amount of energy and money even with a higher lighting strength.

 

 

Is the mercury in the energy saving bulb ecologically reasonable?

The fluorescent lamp like all traditional fluorescent lamps contains low levels of mercury.

 

 

Do energy saving light bulb contain radioactive constituents?

Compact fluorescent lamps with integrated electronic pre-switch systems do not contain radioactive constituents. (such as, for example, Krypton 85), also do not contain radioactive substances. This also applies to the appropriate electronic pre-switch system.

 

 

Is there a broadcast reception interference if energy saving bulb are used?

These lamps are discharge lamps with an electronic pre-switch system which operates with an operating frequency between 30 und 45 kHz depending on type of lamp. With it also higher frequency upper wave lengths are produced that are being dampened by transmitter non-interference filters so that the issued legally prescribed border values and cable associated interferences are in no way exceeded.

 

These prescriptions are laid down in DIN VDE 0875 Part 2 resp. CISPR 15.

 

The low residual transmission can, however, bring about interferences, if the reception aerial is in the proximity of the lamp (for example, with a distance of less than 1 to 3 metres for long wave). Similar interferences will occur, for example, with computers and other gadgets used in households and offices that have switching components.

 

Possibilities of restricting interferences:

 

larger distances between lamp and reception aerial

with ferrite aerials: keep turning for minimum interference

by using external aerials (the best solution, however, often not possible to implement)

If cable associated interferences prove to be incompatible with neighbouring gadgets, then this must be blamed on the insufficient filter expenditure for the de-coupling of mains interferences via the broadcasting receiver and is not due to energy saving light bulb, as lamps as already mentioned, comply with the regulation for broadcasting interference and interference protection and, therefore, carry the CE labelling of the European Union.

 

 

 

What else should I keep in mind?

Energy saving light bulbs are perfect for hard-to-reach places where changing a bulb is difficult. They fit most fixtures around your house but are not designed for fixtures with dimmers, photocells or those with shades that clip onto the bulb.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Inside the bath or shower. Any fittings used here must be SELV (maximum 12 volt) and have a minimum rating of IPX7

 

• Above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25m, a minimum rating of IPX4 is required.

 

• The area stretching to 0.6m outside the bath or shower and above the bath of shower, an IP rating of at least IPX4 is required.

 

• Anywhere outside of this, where water jets are not to be used for cleaning purposes, the general rules of BS7671 apply.

 

• Our recommendation is to use the IP65 downlights in the bathroom area to avoid steam from your shower or bath from penetrating the light fittings.

 

First number (Protection against solid objects) Definition Second number (Protection against liquids) Definition

0 No protection 0 No protection

1 Protected against solids objects over 50mm (e.g. accidental touch by hands 1 Protected against vertically falling drops of water

2 Protected against solids objects over 12mm (e.g. fingers) 2 Protected against direct sprays up to 15¡ã from the vertical

3 Protected against solids objects over 2.5mm (e.g. tools and wires) 3 Protected against direct sprays up to 60¡ã from the vertical

4 Protected against solids objects over 1mm (e.g. tools, wires and small wires 4 Protected against sprays from all directions - limited ingress permitted

5 Protected against dust - limited ingress (no harmful deposit) 5 Protected against low pressure jets if water from all directions - limited ingress permitted

6 Totally protected against dust 6 Protected against strong jets of water e.g. for use on shipdecks - limited ingress permitted

  7 Protected against the effects of temporary immersion between 15cm and 1m. Duration of test 30 minutes

  8 Protected against long periods of immersion under pressure

 

 

 

 

 

   Colour temperature gives an indication of the appearance of the light. Lower colour temperatures mean a ¡®warmer¡¯ appearance. Early fluorescent lamps had a high temperature giving a very ¡®cold¡¯ appearance: today a wide range of temperatures ¨C including some similar to incandescent lamps ¨C is available. Lamps of different temperatures should not normally be used in the same room, unless a specific effect is required.

 

   Colour temperature is a very important factor when considering lighting, as it can also affect your biorhythm. The optimum colour temperature is daylight, and it is possible attain this colour through lighting, when using fluorescent lighting.

 

Lamp type Description Degrees Kelvin

 Clear Blue Sky

Rainy, Misty Daylight

Overcast Daylight

Electronic Flash (Typical)

Direct Sun + Clear Blue Sky

 8000 to 27,000

7200 to 8500

6500 to 7200

6200 to 6800

5700 to 6500

 

Fluorescent Lamp 'True Daylight' Color Match Tubes

 6500

 Summer Sunlight (9am to 3pm)

Summer Sunlight (before 9am or after 3pm)

 5400 to 5700

4900 to 5600

 

Fluorescent Lamp 'Daylight' Cool White Tubes 4300

Halogen Lamps Tungsten-Halogen 3400

Halogen Lamps Tungsten-Halogen 3200

Fluorescent Lamp 'Warm White' Tubes 3000

Incandescent Lamps Household Lamps (100 to 150 Watts)

Household Lamps (60 Watts)

Household Lamps (40 Watts)

 2850

2800

2750

 

 

 

 

   Today, we depend on artificial lighting, to light up our lives. Lighting is both a combination of science and art. Lighting has improved since the days of a candle and oil lamp, however many of us are unaware of what good lighting can do.

 

   Many homes are too bright inside, but often have too few lights. Often the light in your living room or bedroom is too harsh, and often you end up squinting due to the amount of glare. This can be uncomfortable for everyday living and working. A room that is lit by a single unshaded source is a classic example of this problem.

 

See the effect of light, not the light

   Putting a light fitting in the middle of the room diminishes a feeling of space. In contrast, lighting up walls and other surfaces, creates a sense of space and mood. The objective is to use the elements of the room to create an atmosphere for well being.

 

Your atmosphere

The most effective way to create your atmosphere is to use a combination of lighting methods.

 

Wall washing spot lights can be used to flood walls with light. The wall will be used as a reflector, to bounce the indirect light into the room.

 

Adjustable and fixed spot lights can be used in conjunction with each other to create pockets of light using a narrow beam halogen bulb, or a general distribution of light using wider beam halogen bulbs. Adjustable spot lights give you the flexibility to change your atmosphere over time.

 

Wall mounted uplights create a sense of drama, and add dynamics to the shape and feel of a room. Using halogen bulbs, gives a very warm white glowing light.

 

How much light and how to direct it?

Poor lighting is often the result of having too few lights. But many of us have the perception that the room is already bright enough, so we don¡¯t require any more lights. However, increasing the number of lights, allows each light to be of a lower wattage, consume less power, and give an even spread of light.

The lower the wattage, the lower the brightness, and hence we reduce the risk of glare. Having more light sources, allows us to control and direct the light to where we want it, rather than having one powerful uncomfortable source of light.

 

Useful light

Task lighting is what we define when we want to use light for specific activities, such as reading or cooking. A simple example is using a bedside lamp for reading.

Effect lighting is used to create stimulating scenes. Using a coloured bulb is simple example of adding colour to a room.

Accent lighting is using focused light on objects or surfaces specifically to illuminate them. Using an adjustable spot light and focusing it on a painting or photo is an example of accent lighting.

Ambient lighting is used to illuminate the background space so that the area feels as if its lit, however, often the lighting is relatively subdued and hidden. This can be achieved using wall washers around the edges of the room, to illuminate the walls and create a sense of light, with no direct light falling on the eye

 

Choosing the right light fitting

There are two important considerations. It must look good and be a part of your space, either blend in, or contrast depending on your design. The light fitting must also function in its job to provide the correct type of useful light that you require.

 

Ceiling lights

This is a very popular choice as most wiring is concealed in the ceiling, and can provide an excellent general spread of light onto the floor and surfaces below. Examples of this are spot lights, ceiling fixtures and pendants. Using many spot lights allows you to use lower wattage bulbs to achieve a uniform spread of light and reduce glare. Ceiling fixtures are almost part of the architecture where they can be used as an attractive piece in their own right, but also provide useful light. Pendant fixtures can be subtle or striking and are often used over dining tables, kitchen island worktops, bar areas and in high ceiling hallways

 

Wall lights

They provide both a convenient and practical surface for mounting fittings and a reflective plane to create a gentle source of ambient light. Wall lights can be directional, as in the case of uplighters or downlighters, or can emit light in a variety of directions.

Wall lighting can provide a subtle form of background lighting, that can be calming and glare free.

 

Low level lights

This is dramatic but highly practical way of illuminating hallways, staircases and other areas. This can generate an effect without compromising on space or having to illuminate the whole area. It can also be used to safely illuminate a flight of stairs. LED lights can be left on, as they consume very little power and remain relatively cool compared to halogen bulbs.

 

 

Lighting Design

We approach lighting design in a professional creative and dynamic way. There are several important considerations in attempting to get to a solution.

 

Objective

This is the guide for the lighting design and brings all elements of the process together. This will define the purpose of the lighting. There are three basic human requirements

1. Visual comfort ¨C to provide a sense of well being

2. Visual performance ¨C to allow people to carry out their tasks, under all circumstances and to allow people to continue activities for longer periods

3. Safety

 

Glare is defined as a situation where one part of an interior or surrounding is much brighter than the general brightness of the same area. Looking a the sun directly causes discomfort and is an example of glare. The most common causes of glare or excessive brightness today is direct lighting and reflection from windows or reflective surfaces.

 

Safety

Lighting must be electrically and mechanically safe, and allow the occupants to use that space safely. This is part of the statutory regulations that have to be met. Any hazards that may be present have to be taken into account for, and a consideration for emergency lighting be made, especially for commercial and public lighting.

 

Visual Tasks

Often there may be more than one visual task that needs to be performed. We have to take into consideration, contrast, colour discrimination to determine the quantity and quality of the lighting that we want to achieve.

 

 

Guidelines for lighting design are published by the Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE). There are a total of 11 guides.

Lighting Guide 1: The Industrial Environment (2002)

Lighting Guide 2: Hospitals and Healthcare Buildings (1989, addendum 1999)

Lighting Guide 3: The Visual Environment for Display Screen Use (2nd Edition, 1996, addendum 2001)

Lighting Guide 4: Sports (1990, addendum 2000)

Lighting Guide 5: Lecture, Teaching and Conference Rooms (1991)

Lighting Guide 6: The Outdoor Environment (1992)

Lighting Guide 7: Lighting for Offices (1993)

Lighting Guide 8: Museums and Galleries (1994)

Lighting Guide 9: Lighting for Commercial Residential Buildings (1997)

Lighting Guide 10: Daylighting and Window Design (1999)

Lighting Guide 11: Surface Reflectance and Colour ¨C Its Specification and Measurement for Lighting Engineers)