Lighting is an important feature that is required in our day to day lives. Various forms of lighting have been used from the olden times. Man has been using lamps and lanterns from a long time. The most effective forms of lamps used were kerosene lamps. These lamps were very popular as they produced enough light to read and light up a small work area. Also they were easy to construct and use.
But these lamps used a lot of oil and hence were not very cost efficient. So the search for more efficient lighting gave way to gaslights. These gaslights were technological break through and were used extensively for number of years. These light featured quick illumination that was much more efficient and better illuminated than conventional gas lamps. These gaslights are still used when there is no electricity, as they remain still to be mark of efficient lighting when there is no electricity as they are most cost effective and give proper light as compared to other light sources. Mostly these gaslights use propane or gasoline. Then with the advent of electricity more advanced and efficient lighting system came into being that was far more efficient and provided better illumination. That invention was of electric bulb. These electric bulbs gave light when current was passed through them. It was a major break through in the technology that was looking forward for efficient lighting systems. The requirements of further efficient lighting are still on the rise with new and more efficient systems coming into picture.
The light efficiency is rated in lumens per watt. This gives us the indication that how much total light is produced. But it should be remembered that is not the amount of usable light that is available to us. One should always understand that some lights may save energy if used in the correct application. In case of work areas that require lower light intensity and the areas which are smaller in size such as lighting required in pathways, flash lighting, exit signs and in reading lights, LED lights are much more efficient as compared to small incandescent lamp.
There are number of efficient lighting methods available to save energy and give you efficient lighting. One such efficient lighting method is LED lighting. LED lighting are very efficient and useful in certain applications. LED lighting can replace the small incandescent lamps excellently. LED lightings can save energy when used in applications like night lights, flash lights, pathway lighting etc. LED lights when used for lighting smaller places have proved to be three fold efficient as compared to incandescent lamps. Although LED lamps are not much efficient in lighting large areas. They are almost same as incandescent lamps. The LED lights run tens of thousands of hours if used on the recommended levels of current. For efficient lighting through LEDs for the purpose of reading etc. you can club five to eight white LEDs.
Compact fluorescent lights (CFL) are another efficient lightening system. These lightening systems have ten fold life as compared to incandescent bulbs. The quality of light produced by the compact fluorescent lights is warmer than the normal fluorescents. Compact fluorescent lightening can be utilized in normal fixtures available for lightening and can be used in various applications. These lights normally do not flicker. Both AC and DC versions of these lights are available. Normally the DC models are costlier. Researches are being carried out to manufacture inter changeable compact fluorescent lightening that can be utilized both AC and DC. The only drawback of compact fluorescent is that the quality of light is not comparable to the halogens lights or the incandescent bulbs. Also the light produced is not very bright at cold temperatures. Although the compact fluorescent lights are more expensive initially but in the long run they prove to be quite cheap. An eighteen watt compact fluorescent light used as a substitute of seventy five watt incandescent bulb can save a large amount of electricity up to a figure of 570 kilo watt hour in its total life span. The compact fluorescent lighting is also beneficial in avoiding pollution. About half a ton of carbon dioxide can be avoided from going into the atmosphere by replacing a single incandescent bulb. Latest models of compact fluorescent lights give warm light instead of cool white lights given by the older models of the lights.
Quartz halogen lights are considered to be quite efficient lightening system. These bulbs are although just about fifteen percent more efficient than the incandescent bulbs, but they are usable at twelve volts. They can be easily utilized without inverters in case of no power. The AC versions are also available for quartz halogen light. They offer good lighting for reading and also in the outdoor conditions. The light of quartz halogen lights is three fold as compared to a standard incandescent bulb.
Another efficient method of lighting a large area is standard AC fluorescent lights. These lights although efficient but the quality of light produced by standard AC fluorescent lights is blue, which can irritate some people. Also the problem of flickering is quite common. But these lights serve quite efficient in areas such as garages, storerooms, shops, counter top lights in the kitchen, etc.
The efficient lighting principle is a well established field in engineering also. The work place design and lighting are given equal importance. These form an important aspect of ergonomic design of work place. The lighting is called effective when the user or the person is not strained. The efficient lighting should be able to support the person and not cause unnecessary fatigue on the eye and brain. Also efficient lighting is required for the proper accomplishment of the work. The places that require concentration and interaction of person with his surrounding should be well illuminated and places where the interaction with the surroundings is not of much importance can be less illuminated. So to save money the type of illumination required should be studied well and accordingly the light source should be chosen. It is waste of energy and money to illuminate a place that does not require much illumination.
Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures are more energy efficient compared to other fixtures. Fluorescent bulbs, in these fixtures, use gas discharge and electricity to produces light. The secret is the mercury found inside the bulb. The mercury vaporizes, producing ultraviolet light in a phosphorous surrounding.
Some bulbs, particularly the incandescent, rely on heat reaction to give off the illumination. They use more energy and quickly become hot. Fluorescent bulbs are an energy efficient light source that is recommended by most engineers and lighting consultants.
These bulbs are also used in many light fixtures because fluorescent light converts more efficiently into visible light than other bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs have 22%. Luminous efficacy and Incandescent bulbs have 10%.
Admittedly, the cost of fluorescent light bulbs is three times higher than most bulbs; however, its long-term benefits far outweigh the financial issue. One way to check your cost is by looking on your electric bill. Look at your bill before you install fluorescents and then after.
Fluorescent lighting fixtures optimizes energy input so that only less is used for maximum brightness. If you have been using incandescent bulbs for your interior lighting for quite some time, you will notice that your electric bill will be quite high. By switching to fluorescent, you are making a big step to have energy efficient light.
In addition, a fluorescent tube can last up to six times longer, compared to other bulbs, making it ideal for rooms that require longer hours of continuous light. Further, it will not burn out from continuous on and off switching.
If the room gets hot quickly, or is sensitive to heat, then fluorescent lighting fixture is ideal because it produces less heat. Since it produces less pollution from heat emissions, this helps to reduce the pollution of the environment.
Incandescent bulbs produce high amount of heat which merges into the atmosphere, aggravating global warming. Fluorescent therefore should be globally used for the sake of our planet.
The new designs of fluorescent fixtures, fluorescent lamps and recessed fluorescent lighting are effective in creating light moods; however, they come with more expensive prices. Today, as technology advances, you have more attractive interior lighting designs. These designs are available as recessed lighting, wall lighting, kitchen lighting, and ceiling lighting.
One of the best choices you can get is dimmable fluorescent fixture. It has the capacity to customize the brightness of the light with its dimmer switch. This is an added advantage on your part because the dimmer the light is, the more energy efficient it is, giving you more savings.
If you are a business owner, you can get more return on your investments by using a fluorescent lighting fixture. This is particularly helpful if your business is a restaurant or a bar that requires several types of lighting systems. Or, even if you have a commercial office, paying less for your electricity is truly rewarding.
The fluorescent tube is the best source of cost-efficient and energy efficient light. Whether you are planning to renovate any part of your house, or buying a new house, switching to fluorescent lighting fixtures can bring benefits to you and to the environment.
When we were little, one of the dreams we have is to be able to live in a real castle with high ceilings, chandeliers and big furniture. As we grew older, we realize that not everything we dreamed of can come true – not all of us can have the high ceilings and chandelier. As we grew older, we also learned one thing – it’s all in the interior design.
In reality, all houses are the same. They have windows, ceilings and walls. They might have different shapes but in the end, it still is just a blank empty space. What makes one house different from the other is the amount of, and the way, furniture and decorations are placed. Even curtains and lighting can play a role in the final look of your house.
This is the reason why some houses seem bland but, when a makeover is made by a professional, it exudes a totally different look. Unfortunately, not all of us can afford an interior designed to change how our house looks nor can all of us ask Oprah to sponsor a house makeover. So what’s the next best thing to do?
One of the ways by which you can make your house look spacious is by blending the right kind of light. Most house would usually have one more than two fluorescent lamps to brighten their house. A dramatic way of lighting your house is with the use of fluorescent light diffuser panel. This would spread out the light even more resulting into a brighter room without blinding your guests. If you would like to go further you can even make use of pastel lights.
If your light is too source is glaring and you would like to tame it down without veering too far from the effect that you want to accomplish, you can have a decorative light panel installed. This would lessen the light emanating from it without totally dimming the room.
Playing with lights alone can have a substantial effect on how your house would look like. What’s more, these decorative fluorescent light panels can be very easy to install that you won’t need a professional to help you out.
A day starts with a new sun light. We live within new light every day. Lighting is becoming an important and necessary part of our life like air and water. Lighting is both functional and decorative. It provides light; it creates interest; it establishes mood. We can’t live without water, air and light now. God give us light naturally the single power source is SUN that provides lights and heat to all living creature.
In modern life lighting has been taken a place at a high level in society and culture. Lighting creates standard and establish position at any occasion that may be marriage party or birthday or general home decoration. While we want to arrange a party first topics come in mind that is lighting. When we want to decorate our home office first of tips come in mind that is lighting. Decorative commercial Lighting is life of decoration in modern living life.
Are you ready to decorate your home with lighting style? There are some different tips to decorate your home with lighting bulb, lamps, and fixtures. I know everyone has different taste and style. How much light is needed in each room depends on the room’s use, the wall color, how much natural light is available and what you want. You can use these tips according to your taste and style.
Decorating your home using candle is best and simple idea. It is easy and inexpensive. But it so time consuming and inefficient. You will have to maintain candle regularly. When you select lighting fixtures and bulbs keep remember that any wall which has dark colors consume more lights than others. You can use low-level lighting to prevent glare and screen washout, position floor lamps so the light comes from behind a person’s shoulder. For your basement to have indirect general purpose lighting preferably using fluorescent lighting lamp or bulbs. There are several sources now for amber filament bulbs. I’ve used a series of them to light my own hallways and kitchen. When dimmed they feel like candlelight and create the warmest quality of light. Buy compact fluorescent lamps with halogen bulb or 130-volt incandescent bulbs, especially for hard-to-reach areas where long life is important. A favorite lighting solution I use often is to place a small lamp on top of a tall chest. If you have upper cabinets, light your countertops with thin, under-cabinet lighting fixtures mounted on the underside of the cabinets.
A review on Compact fluorescent light bulb technology is relatively new compared with the other fluorescent light bulb types. These light bulbs were designed to replace incandescent light bulbs to achieve high-energy efficiency. The line of compact fluorescent light bulbs is expanding rapidly and the number of manufacturers offering these products is growing. Cluster lamp compact Preheat fluorescents provide even more light than the standard compact. They replace 40-, 60-, 75-, and 100-watt incandescent light bulbs, providing a 76% energy savings and up to ten times the life.
Some of the best resources that provide online contemporary lighting product are Kwhlighting.com, CanopyLights.com, BulbSmart.net, EzBulbz.com offer a wide variety of different types of lighting bulb, fluorescent lamp, ceiling fixtures, ballast etc. There are also specialty lighting stores that offer a wide selection of lights from the best manufacturers including GE Lighting and Osram Sylvania.
Choosing the right bulb and fixture for energy savings has become a practical necessity for homeowners. Beyond just building and selling homes, however there is a practical need for homes to feature energy saving lighting fixtures when placed on the market for sale. One way to add value to a home and increase the possibility of a sale in today’s troubled housing market is to install energy saving light bulbs and fixtures.
Homeowners can add affordable and energy efficient lighting throughout a home for very little money these days. Energy saving light bulbs are available in two forms, familiar fluorescent lights, or tubes, and compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs. CFLs have become far more affordable and are in greater demand than the old tube-style light bulbs. Older fluorescent light tubes are still being used for energy savings in buildings that require lots of direct overhead lighting.
The major drawback with using fluorescent lights has always been the quality of the color of the light they produce. With the need to offset rising energy costs, fluorescent light bulbs have evolved into several different shapes and smaller sizes that yield the same amount of light as their less-atttractive predecessors. Fluorescent light bulbs that produce a full light spectrum are now available. These bulbs are ideal for almost any application, including kitchen lighting, under cabinet fluorescent lighting, commercial fluorescent lighting and even decorative fluorescent lighting. Over the years, fluorescent lighting fixtures have gained wide spread acceptance, typically installed in kitchens, bathrooms and family rooms where abundant overhead lighting is required.
Long lasting and energy efficient CFL bulbs are now smaller than ever and suitable for almost every lighting situation. Fluorescent light bulbs are completely adaptable for ambient lighting effects, task lighting, or accent lighting situations. There is also a plant-friendly fluorescent light that enhances growing indoor plants.
Due to the need to save energy and reduce expenses, compact fluorescent bulbs are replacing inefficient incandescent bulbs everywhere. With remarkable improvements in porportion, style and shape, CFL bulbs are far more economical, making them the best choice for most household and office lighting situations. One negative aspect of using CFL bulbs is that they are not usable with a dimmer switch. Despite this problem, however, they have gained wide spread popularity with interior designers.
Nowadays, CFL bulbs come in a wide selection of sizes, shapes, and lumens. Today’s models are totally unlike those earlier models that have an ugly, commercial appearance. New compact fluorescent feature smaller sizes, longer lives, instant-on and the same energy efficiency as earlier models. Today’s CFL bulbs are available as “Super Savers”, “micro-mini”, “Instant-On”, “Soft White” and “Now smaller than ever”. While the initial outlay for CFL bulbs can be a bit daunting, there are several buying initiatives underway to help consumers offset the cost. When buying CFL replacement bulbs, consumers should match the amount of light, or lumens, required for each location and the lowest power consumption, as measured in watts.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs are destined to advance in energy savings technology, efficiency, and design. Maintaining a good lighting style is a matter of blending together the different elements present in individual rooms. When considering the optimal light design, determining the amount of energy savings is a good beginning, but in the end design, function and decor determine which type of fixture suits your needs the best.
Thanks for reviewing this article, I hope you found the instruction useful. You can read many more articles like this one at PracticalRepairs.com.
Fluorescent Light Bulbs are neat! Electrical phenomenon gave the birth to the phenomenon of the fluorescent bulb. In around the 1800 century researchers observed that a radiant glow originating from partially evacuated glass vessel through which an electric current passed. Considering this as a link; further one germen glassblower Heinrich Geibler develop a mercury vacuum pump, which evacuated the glass tube up to highest extend up to which no pump achieved that much vacuum.
Then he allowed to pass the electric current through that glass tube and observed a strong green glow on the wall of that tube at the end of the cathode. As this tube used to produce beautiful results these are used in the amusements. The working of these fluorescent light bulbs is as follows:
Fluorescent bulbs are the gas discharge bulbs. It means that, it is the light source which generates light by sending an electrical discharge through an ionized gas which is also called as the plasma. This gas discharge will depend on the frequency of the current passed through it.
Generally this gas is nothing but the noble gas such as Argon, Neon, Krypton or Xenon. Almost all the bulbs are filled with the additional mixture of materials such as mercury, sodium, or they may be metal halides.
In the fluorescent bulbs in which electricity used to pass through this gas discharge is used to excite the mercury vapors in the Argon or Neon gas which will give result in the plasma. This will gives rise to the short wave ultra violet light. Then because of this light fluorescence or phosphor will produce which will give rise to the visible light.
In the incandescent bulbs the light will produce because of the electron excitation. In this no need to regulate the power flow but in case of the fluorescent bulb we need to control the flow of this power. To control the power flow through the lamp Ballast is used. This ballast will keep control over the ballast. In general tube fixtures generally varies from the size from around 4 feet to the 8 feet the ballast is enclosed in the fixtures only.
A compact fluorescent bulb is one of the examples of the fluorescent bulbs. This compact Fluorescent Bulb always needs the ballast to keep control over the power flow through the bulb. In these compact fluorescent bulb have conventional ballast is located in the fixture or they may be in the ballast integrated in the bulb itself which allow them to use in the lamp holders which are generally used for normal incandescent bulbs.
Fluorescent Light Bulbs -have any?
It’s been years that you have changed anything in the house and getting bored with the same and regular look of your house. Your mood is always the same on every holiday and you feel that everything is stagnant. Then here are some tips to lift your mood, to keep your spirits high and to enjoy every festive season with lot of freshness in the house. A house is the place where we are at ease all the time; it gives us the warmth and cosiness to enjoy those special moments of our lives.
So let’s make out house special and groom it with utmost care and affection. The best home decor ideas suggest playing with the kind of light you have in your house. If you have big windows in the house the light must be sufficient and with bright color walls this can surely give a spacious look to your room. The next thing that we can do is, irrespective of the color of walls and the kind of windows and furniture we have, is to get the decorative light panels. By just replacing the ordinary light panels from the decorative light panels will completely change the look of your house.
http://www.greekpanels.com/ >Decorative light panels will change the look and will provide calm and a soft effect to the room. There is lot of variety available, decorative fluorescent panels come in different designs, colors and shapes. So you can choose the fluorescent light panels as per your taste. And the best part is the to install the decorative fluorescent panels or fluorescent light panels one doesn’t need to hire a contractor as it is very easy to install these light panels within no time.
You get the easy to follow instructions which will enable you to install it by yourself. So next time if you would like to change the look of your house then just consider the decorative light panels as the best option as they are affordable, durable, easy to maintain and install. These are the best home decor ideas which will surely set your mood right and will keep you in high spirits.
Light is very important for our mental and physical health. Without sufficient light many people suffer from depression and ailments that they cannot really pinpoint. Depression can give rise to many ailments and can even develop into more serious mental problems.
Now there are several ways to combat this problem:
Light box therapy: (Phototherupy) this type of general therapy is also known as bright light therapy. Phototherupy requires the patient to sit near a fluorescent light box that simulates sunlight. Ideally, the light should be 2,500 lux to be effective, and daily exposure is recommended. A doctor will prescribe the right exposure strength and duration.
Seasonal Affective Disorder: The problem with depression in winter is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. It is a known fact that many people get very depressed in winter time when there is less light, and even go so far to say that they are feeling less energetic and just not well. This condition can also give rise to overeating and a whole new set of problems. There are special light boxes for this disorder. They are called SAD light boxes. Again, before starting therapy consult your doctor.
Sleep and jet lag: Light boxes can help sleep disorders and jetlag. These devices can simulate daylight and nighttime, which helps people adjust to regular sleep hours. These light boxes help to reset the body’s clock that determines when you will sleep. This is very important as lack of sleep can cause serious accidents while driving and interference with many facets of your life.
Dementia and Alzheimer: With these disorders, the body’s natural clock or circadian rhythms gets disrupted, due to nerve and brain damage. This is further aggravated by poor sight in the elderly, which means that normal indoor light may not be sufficient for them to determine the difference between night and day. Light boxes are being used in experiments to see if the sleep and activity cycles can be improved with these patients.
Skin problems: Some skin problems such as: stretch marks, patches of psoriasis, vitiligo, and pale scars may be helped with UVB or UVAI light. These are the types of lights that tanning beds use. Caution should be taken to only focus the light on the skin to be treated and to avoid damage to normal skin. Be careful not to overexpose.
Colored lights: (Intense pulsed light therapy). Different colored floodlights are used for this light therapy. Different colors are thought to be better for different problems, for example:
1. Blue is good for helping to destroy acne bacteria
2. Green lights help with pigmentation problems, like age spots and liver spots.
3. Yellow is thought to aid vascular problems, such as rosacea and thread veins.
4. Green and yellow light is said to help fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Red is meant to help arthritis when directed at the exact point. It is also thought to be good for headaches.
When trying any of these light therapies, always consult your doctor. He will know if you have any latent ailments that could be aggravated by light therapy. Also, sometimes the duration and strength of exposure will need to be adjusted for the best effect.
The history of light has not reached its end as of yet. In fact, it has been revolutionized by the new compact fluorescent bulbs now in the market. These new fluorescent bulbs give consumers an alternative to the old halogen light bulbs. Halogen light bulbs are variants of the original incandescent light bulb invented by Thomas Edison. Like incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs are outdated and grossly inefficient. They are also very hazardous, although they are cheap and therefore convenient; they have the ability to create costly damages.
How Halogen Bulbs Work
The reason halogen bulbs are so ineffective and dangerous is in how they make energy. Like incandescent bulbs, they generate energy to create light. The problem, however, is that all the energy they create is not used effectively. Most of the energy created actually causes the bulb to emanate heat reaching extreme temperatures, which can cause burns or even ignite fires, instead of being used for lighting purposes. This in turns means that most of the energy used is wasted, dangerous, and ineffective.
Fluorescent Bulbs Solve the Issues of Halogens
The fluorescent bulb on the other hand solves all three issues. Compact fluorescent bulbs do not use heat to produce lighting but instead use a variety of gasses and electricity. This in turn means that they don’t heat up as much as their counterparts and are safer to use. In fact, several Universities have opted to use these bulbs over the halogen bulbs to prevent accidents.
Not only do these bulbs produce light more effectively but they are more cost effective. Their initial cost may be higher but their long term cost saves money in the end. For example, a halogen bulb can last up to two years whereas fluorescent bulbs have a life of up to five years! It seems well worth it to invest in fluorescent bulbs over the highly inefficient halogen and incandescent bulbs.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
When the two bulbs are compared, it becomes obvious which one is superior. Yet, as life has it, everything does have its advantages and disadvantages. The fluorescent bulb does hold one consequence: mercury. One of the gasses found in these bulbs is mercury, a contaminant. To this one problem, the fluorescent bulb has two pros though, by being more energy efficient it should reduce the amount of mercury production and can serve as an option to going green, a step to prevent global warming.
It seems as though there are trade-offs to either scenario, but when you factor in all the environmental benefits, monetary and energy saving benefits, and the safety benefits, I think you will agree that fluorescent light bulbs are the lighting technology of the future.
Before we look at the many benefits offered by commercial fluorescent light fixtures, we need to briefly revisit a few of the many problems our clients frequently encounter with incandescent lights. The first and most painful of these problems for any size or type of business is high costs. Every organization accepts the necessary evil of overhead-provided that spending money on overhead means generating higher profits down the line. However, using energy inefficient equipment that could easily and affordably be replaced by better technology amounts to throwing profits into an incandescent fire. The commercial fluorescent lights lower electric bills across the board with improved, energy efficient, technology that makes them ideal for lighting any factory, warehouse, or office. Because they also emit less heat than incandescent, they help maintain cooler temperatures in offices and production areas. Extremely bright incandescent can also produce glare that hurts the eyes and in some instances creates safety hazards. The fluorescent light fixture technology is designed for glare free comfort, optimal safety, and longer lamp life that require fewer bulb replacements.
A number of key technological features make it possible for the commercial fluorescent light fixtures to function as luminary solutions to every challenge of power and light. Our commercial lighting fluorescents come designed with special energy saving ballasts that are manufactured with federal energy efficient standards foremost in mind. These ballasts are housed within the fixtures and control current to the fluorescent bulbs themselves. Ballasts also offer the additional benefit of regulating electron flow in such as way as to eliminate the stereotypical flickering of previous fluorescent lights or inferior generic equivalents. The commercial grade fluorescent light fixtures represent the highest level of equipment engineering and manufacturing quality available in our industry. All models are UL/CUL listed as well to ensure value to both U.S. and Canadian business owners. Because we do business as well in many humidity prone regions such as the American Gulf Coast, we carry a number of commercial fluorescent light fixtures that have been specifically developed for long lamp life in damp regions-regions where incandescent may sometimes short when the humidity levels peak. We also make it a point to supply our clients with commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures that manufactured with baked, white enamel finishes and polyester powder coatings that minimize radiant heat. We even have certain high-end models that provide additional fixture protection with rust inhibitors that protect metal parts from oxidation, and low brightness/extruded acrylic refractors that eliminate glare in critical work areas.
The new generation of commercial fluorescent lights has evolved far beyond the stereotypical complaint generators of the cheap office panel overheads of the 70’s and 80’s. Today’s commercial fluorescent lights have eliminated the two major sources of nuisance that past models created: the infamous “yellowish tint to everything” and the “flicker that gives office workers headaches.” New ballast technology, better phosphor coatings on bulb interiors, and superior gas mixtures on the inside of the bulbs now produce cool, consistent, comfortable white light. The leap forward in technology has made it possible to customize commercial lighting fixtures for virtually any indoor or outdoor lighting need, making it now possible for businesses to replace incandescent unilaterally with an entirely new, cost-effective equipment purchase that begins to accrue ongoing return on investment the moment operations flips the switch to begin new, power saving production of better light. This last point is an extremely important point to consider from another perspective. The State Government of California recently passed legislation mandating replacement of all incandescent lighting no later than the year 2010. Any business located in either Northern or Southern California should strongly consider replacing all incandescent now with commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures now. Waiting until the last minute could result in a lemming-like stampede equivalent to procurement department suicide as everyone tries to order at the last minute in December 2009.