LIGHTING IN THE HOME

                                                                         

LIGHTING

Life was so simple in the ‘Good Old Days’. The Living room had a central ceiling rose with a 100 watt bulb operated by a single switch, light on and everyone was happy. But nowadays the choice and confusion is bewildering from LED’s, halogen and fluorescents. Low voltage or mains? Inset or wall lights?

The Lighting Scheme should ideally be done by a qualified lighting designer for the detailed scheme to be successful. The scheme should take into account each room and brief from the client about room usage.

Who will be using the room? Will the room double up for homework, study etc. Are there any special furniture, features or artwork that requires Accent lighting.

standard GLS bulb

Bathrooms

Are now zoned and light fittings are classed accordingly to the IP rating (Ingress Protection).  Zone 0 is the area inside the bath or shower and only light fittings classed for zone 0 can be used. Recessed down lights work well in bathrooms as background lighting. Task lighting could be illuminated mirrors. Remember also to include a shaver socket with or without light that could be used for electric toothbrushes.

When building a home or an extension you should know your lighting plan right at the design stage. This needs to be in place to ensure first fix goes smoothly. You should pay attention to the natural light that will be entering each room.

General Lighting

Is the main light in each room. It can be achieved through central pendants, down lights or even wall lights.

Accent Lighting

Is used to add contrast and interest to highlight features and areas of interest

Concealed Lighting

Means that you do not see the light source, just the effect it creates. Used under kitchen wall cupboards, under kitchen plinths, in alcoves and over pelmets.

Decorative Lightings

Is simply striking and to give a statement such as chandeliers, floor standards lamps and unusual wall and table lights.

The Building Regulations now require that a minimum of 25% of light installed in a new build must come from a low energy source. Meaning, fittings that will only take lights that have a luminous efficacy greater than 45 lumens per circuit Watt. Fluorescent and CFL’s, LED’s would all conform to this, whilst fitting low energy bulbs with bayonet or screw cap bases do not.

DOMESTIC DWELLING

INTERNAL LIGHTING                3 out of 4 to be low energy

                                                      Fittings with luminous efficacy greater than 45

                                                       lamp lumens per circuit Watt and total output

                                                       greater than 400 lumens. Fittings of less than 5

                                                       circuit Watts executed.

EXTERNAL LIGHTING             Not greater than 100 lamp Watts per fitting and

                                                      than 45 lumens per circuit wall and automatically

                                                      controlled when daylight sufficient and controlled

                                                      manually by occupant

Low Energy light bulbs have improved greatly in the last few years. Energy efficiency has never been easier; you can save money and help the environment just by changing your light bulb

                                                     

Incandescent Bulbs
are only 10% efficient and are known as Tungsten or General Lighting Service (GLS) are the traditional type that  most of us have grown up with but are soon to be replaced in all the shops with Energy efficient bulbs known as Compact Fluorescent lamps  (CFL).

CFL’s are available in standard bayonet and screw versions and in all different shapes and sizes. CFL’s use 75% less electric than the old incandescent bulbs.

Light is measured in Lumens and Power is measured in Watts

Choose the right bulb for the right situation.

GLS bulbs radiate right all round as a cone whereas CFL bulbs emit light sideways. So if you want to mount a light on the wall you should use a 2D CFL

LED downlighter

LED

Light Emitting Diodes have at last come of age. This type of light has a very long lifespan. LED lights can be used as an alternative to low voltage lights and are good for accent lighting as they can produce coloured lighting which is changeable for creating mood

MR16 lampGU10 lamp