Make your home energy efficient with new lighting.
According to www.yourhome.gov.au "household lighting energy use in Australia has been rapidly increasing in recent years due to the construction of larger homes and the installation of more light fittings per home. Most homes could reduce the amount of energy they use for lighting by 50 per cent or more by making smarter lighting choices and moving to more efficient technologies".
Installing an efficient and effective lighting system in your home or office will:
- Provide a high level of visual comfort.
- Make use of natural light.
- Provide the best light for the task.
- Provide controls for flexibility.
- Have low energy requirements.
Types of Lighting
Incandescent lamps or bulbs - have for many years been the most commonly used type of lighting. They work by heating an electric element to white hot.
They are inexpensive to buy and are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, but their running costs are high. Incandescent lamps are the least energy efficient type of lighting, and will be phased out where ever possible over the next few years.
Fluorescent Lamps - are the most energy efficient form of lighting for households and use only about one quarter of the energy used by incandescent bulbs to provide the same light level. Although more expensive to buy they are much cheaper to run and can last up to twenty thousand hours.
With careful design they can replace incandescent and halogen lights in most situations.Fluorescent lamps are ideal for areas where lighting is required for long periods of time, such as the living room and kitchen, and for security lighting. They also produce less heat, helping keep your home cooler in summer.
There are two main types of fluorescent lamps – tubular and compact.
Tubular lamps, also known as fluorescent tubes, are available in a straight or circular style. They are cheaper to buy than compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), but unlike CFLs require special fittings. Tubes are ideal for kitchens, garages and workshops.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), also known as long-life bulbs, are usually designed to fit into conventional bayonet or screw fitting light sockets and so are the ideal replacement for inefficient incandescent bulbs. They come in a range of shapes, most common is the stick type, but there are also globe style, or circular and square 2D types. CFLs can replace incandescent light bulbs in many light fittings. Not all light fittings are suitable for conversion to CFLs but most can be successfully converted with the right choice of lamp.
LEDs - are currently used in countless applications including lighting displays in household appliances, mobile phone screens, and traffic signals.
LEDs for general lighting purposes are an emerging lighting technology which is expected be the future of household lighting. Most lighting companies are developing LED bulbs for direct replacement into normal fittings, which are expected to be available for some applications in the next couple of years.
The benefits of LEDs include lifetimes of up to 100,000 hours, and potentially very high efficiency levels however the main problem with LEDs is the cost, but as the technology improves and demand increases costs should come down.
Choosing the right lighting for your needs
The most energy efficient light is natural light. Well designed north-facing windows, skylights and light tubes let in light without adding to summer heat and winter cold. Light coloured interior surfaces, especially in south-facing rooms and hallways, reflect more light and reduce the level of artificial lighting required.
Most rooms need two types of lighting. General lighting is needed for all over illumination and task lighting is used to illuminate specific areas, such as benchtops and desks. Different light bulbs and fittings should be used for these two purposes. Accent lighting can also be used for decorative or dramatic effects e.g. highlighting a photo or painting on the wall.
Pendant or surface-mounted light fittings can be used to provide general lighting. Use desk, table or standard lamps where most light is needed, such as for reading, so less lighting is required in the rest of the room.
Use fluorescent lights where lighting is required for long periods of time, such as living rooms, over kitchen benches or on desks.
The light output of CFLs is reduced at low temperatures, so they may not be suitable for outside use in very cold areas, or you may need to use a higher wattage lamp.
Incandescent lamps are inefficient and so will not be available in the future for general lighting. However, some specialty use incandescents will continue to be sold until energy efficient alternatives become available.
Downlights are designed for spotlighting as they provide bright pools of light rather than general illumination. Up to six downlights may be required to light the same area as one pendant light. They can also cause gaps in the ceiling insulation, particularly if they require clear space to allow heat to dissipate. Think about other ways of lighting with fluorescents before installing halogens. If used, fit lower wattage and more efficient bulbs.
Use lighting efficiently
- Rooms are often excessively lit. Make sure you are not using a higher wattage bulb than is necessary.
- Turn off unnecessary lights, including fluorescent lamps especially if leaving a room for more than ten minutes.
- Clean light fittings regularly to allow more light to pass through.
- Decorating with light coloured finishes and furnishings can allow lighting levels to be reduced.
For more information about energy efficient lighting you can visit the following government websites:
|
Lighting Council Australia |
OR, request the services of one of our registered qualified electricians - Cairns Electricians
