Light Manual
Lighting Guide
You come home from work, and are guided by a trail of lights to the door until you flip a switch inside. You go in the kitchen to grab a drink from the fridge, and you turn those track lights on. You have company over and your chandelier twinkles above while you and your guests eat. No matter where you are in your home, there is a light to be turned out. And there are so many different types of lights out there, with different bulbs that fit into them that it is understandable that it can be overwhelming to search for a simple table lamp. This guide is designed to help you navigate through the terms, functions and styles of lighting. Click on one of the links below to start.
Types of Bulbs
There are five basic bulb types you should be aware of. Some of these bulbs only work with certain lights. Here is a rundown of the types of light bulbs found on the market.
Fluorescent
Fluorescent light bulbs are screwed into ceiling fixtures, sconces, task lights, accent lamps, recessed lights and other lighting fixtures. They are also often used in modern and contemporary lighting. Compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs, are the most eco-friendly bulbs available. CFLs generate light when electrons from the ballast of the bulb run into the mercury vapor in the bulb’s length. This stimulates a phosphor coating on the inside of the glass, and a steady, energy-efficient light streams out since more energy is spent on producing light and less on producing heat.
CFLs stay cooler than other bulbs, but light up the room with the same intensity. They now come in other whites, from the cheaper "cool white" which casts a bluer tinge, to the "warm white" that mimics the glow of a regular light bulb. CFLs also use around 66% less energy than other bulbs yet produce the same amount of light; this means a CFL bulb can save up to fifty dollars on bulbs in a year. They also last up to fifteen times longer than standard bulbs, which create less waste in landfills, and they do not use as much energy, which lessens the demand on electric power plants that burn pollutant fossil fuels. Simply put, one of the easiest and most powerful ways to help stop global warming is by switching up just one incandescent bulb for a CFL.
The best way to dispose of CFLs is to collect them for treatment and recycling. It’s legal to throw them away in the trash, but they do have traces of mercury in them, which could enter the atmosphere. If a CFL breaks, do not inhale the vapor and quickly wipe up the pieces with a wet rag, being careful to throw everything away in a plastic bag. The benefits of CFLs are far greater than the risk of trace amounts of mercury vapor, but it is always a good idea to be careful.
Halogen
Halogen bulbs, like CFLS, are also energy-efficient compared to the standard light bulb. They can be used in torchieres, ceiling pendants, recessed and track lighting, sconces, and outdoor lights like floodlights. These bulbs use inert gasses coupled with a small amount of halogen gas; they mix together with the Tungsten filament and quartz covering wrapped around it inside the bulb to create a longer lasting light. Halogen bulbs last up to three times longer than standard bulbs. The quartz envelope does not melt the glass, giving off a brighter light compared to a regular light bulb.
The inert gasses that interact with the halogen and filament are argon, krypton or xenon. Argon is cheaper and gives off a yellow-tinged light, while krypton is pricier and xenon gives off a crisp white light. Besides these gasses, different bulb sizes and shapes are made from halogen bulbs, giving you greater choice when it comes to smaller lights, such as modern track lighting. These lights need to be kept away from flammable items, since they get extremely hot. Use a plastic bag to install a halogen bulb, as the oil from your finder will reduce its life.
Incandescent
Incandescent bulbs, or regular light bulbs, are the most commonly used light bulbs. They are used in floor lamps, table lamps, desk lamps, ceiling lights, wall lights, kitchen lighting, vanity lighting, bathroom lighting and so much more. However, despite their popularity, these standard bulbs are inefficient and only last a short while. They are sold by watts, and their color is measured in lumens. The reason these bulbs have lasted for so long is the cheaper price tag, although CFLs are now more affordable than they used to be.
Krypton and LED
Krypton bulbs are named due the gas inside the bulb. You can find these lights in chandeliers and other ceiling lights; you can also find them in automobile lights. This gas allows the filaments in the bulb to run at a higher temperature, which emits a whiter light. Krypton bulbs are more energy efficient and last longer than incandescent bulbs.
LED bulbs produce minimal heat, which means more energy is expended instead of heat. These bulbs are used in task lighting, night lights and desk lamps the most. The LED bulb does not have a filament, so it gets it power from electrons moving in a semiconductor material. Compared to an incandescent bulb, they last up to 133 times longer, and 100 times longer than a CFL. LEDs are also incredibly resilient, resisting vibration and shock.
Energy Efficiency: Energy Star
Because electric power plants are the largest industrial source of CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions, electricity burns the most fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas in order to generate power. This pollutes the air and traps heat in the atmosphere, causing smog.
Energy Star compliant products use less electricity while helping stop global warming and save money. The less electricity used also means the less of your money is spent on the bill! Energy Star lighting is one of the easiest and most effective ways to cut down on your electric bill and on greenhouse gas emissions, thereby curbing pollution, acid rain, and global warming. By choosing Energy Star products, your electric bill is lowered while you help save the planet. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Dimmer Switches and Motion Sensors/Timers
Light dimmers are another way to easily save energy and money. They help create ambiance and “mood lighting”, as well as show off your home in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Setting the lights to low for a romantic dinner or turning them all the way up to read lets you be in control of how much light you need. Your eyes will neither be strained or hurting from too little or too much light, because you provide the amount of light you need with the up and down motion of a dimmer switch.
Since you can turn dimmers up or down, depending on the amount of light you want, you help extend of life of your light bulbs. This is turn saves money on your electric bill and on replacing your light bulbs. With so many different kinds of dimmer switches on the market, you can find exactly what you need to blend into your home décor.
Outside, you can use motion sensors or timers to control the light. These make sure that the electricity used to power outdoor lights is not wasted during times it is not needed. Timers work best with halogen and CFL flood and spot lights, enhancing their energy-efficient benefits. There are indoor, outdoor, analog and digital varieties of timers, with some that operate timing by a few minutes to ward off potential robbers. Motion detectors help light the path to your house and discourage thieves from breaking in. Photo cells are activated by light instead of motion.
Types of Lighting
There are a myriad of lighting options for the home and office to choose from. And depending on your home furnishings and decor, light fixtures range from modern and contemporary to antique and traditional designs. Here are a few types of popular interior and exterior lighting fixtures.
Ceiling Lighting
Ceiling lighting refers to—no surprise here—lights that are hanging, mounted, or connected to the ceiling. Any room in your home can have ceiling lights, and if you install dimmer switches, these lights can easily affect the mood and brightness of a room much faster than other lights.
Recessed lights, or pot lights, are good for task, accent or general lighting. They are installed into the ceiling and only show their trim and the shade, not the fixture itself. Recessed lights produce less glare, especially if the bulb is deep in the ceiling. These work well in rooms with low ceiling or under eaves, in other rooms to replace mounts and pendants, or as kitchen lighting.
Chandeliers are ceiling fixtures designed to give off ambient light. Traditionally, chandeliers are hung in dining rooms or stairwells and hallways to add a dramatic touch. Whether one tier or multiple tier, cage or pendant, chandeliers today come in a wide array of materials, shapes, and styles. From elegantly classic to sleekly modern, chandeliers are still fashionable in any home.
Pendant lighting is usually made from glass or metal suspended by a single cable or cord. These lights can be used for general or task lighting, but their flexibility is what makes them such a versatile addition. Suspend pendant lights over buffets, kitchen islands, foyers, and breakfast bars to focus a light on one area or to add more light by illuminating the entire area.
Track lights are installed on a ceiling, where individual fixtures are clipped along a track. This kind of lighting can be used as general, task or accent lighting, depending on where the lights are positioned and their style. After you choose how many lights you need per track and how many track you want to install, you can swivel the fixtures on the track, allowing them to highlight parts of a room. Whether you want to enhance the drama of a painting or bounce light off the walls to create a soft glow.
Ceiling fans are one the surest ways a light can help you save money. These dual functioning lights and appliances help cut down on summertime heat that rises towards the ceiling by circulating air and cooling the room. Ceiling fans can save up to forty percent on your air conditioning bill, and they reduce the impact that air conditioners have on the environment.
Flush mounts are lighting fixtures that “flush” against the ceiling. Normally placed in foyers, bedrooms, hallways and living rooms or dens, these lights are a great alternative to recessed lights. Semi-flush mounts are similar, but hang down further so that the light reflects off the ceiling and fills the room with soft, ambient light.
Wall Lighting
Wall lighting involves any light that is pressed up against, attached to, or installed into a wall. The adaptability of these lights in any room makes them a perfect fit for all home décor. Plus, wall lights, like ceiling lighting, can be hooked up to dimmer switches that cut down on your electric bill.
Wall sconces are lighting fixtures that are mounted to a wall with a backplate. Used for general, accent or task lighting, wall sconces look best at eye level. You do not, however, want the bulb to peek over or under the rim of the shade, or else the light will shine right in your eyes. When wall sconces are positioned properly, they give off the perfect ambient lighting, especially if they are linked to dimmers that can turn up or down the mood lighting. Wall lamps are very similar, except that they tend to give off more light since they are a bit bigger. Other forms of wall lighting include bathroom lights and nightlights. Bathroom lighting ranges, as you can technically put in track lighting or other ceiling lights inside. However, the popular look of vanity lights is within the wall lighting realm. Vanity lights are intended for the bathroom and are usually comprised of three or more lamps in a row, often placed over a mirror. Nightlights, on the hand, span from the children's variety to delicate porcelain creations. Whatever style you prefer, there are tons of nightlights to choose from to help illuminate your way in the dark.
Lamps
Table lamps, on the other hand, can be used for general, accent or task lighting, but they are meant to sit on a table, and are therefore much smaller. There are tons of table lamp styles out there, from traditional to contemporary and beyond. Look for shades in lighter colors if you intend to use a table lamp for ambient light so that the light can flow upwards. White lined shades are a good idea if you are going to be doing a lot of reading next to the table lamp. Try not to aim the shade in a way where you can see the bulb, or you risk getting the glare of the light in your eyes.
Tiffany lamps are those antique-looking table lamps with stained glass shade and traditionally styled bases. If your home décor is very traditional (think armchairs and Persian rugs in the living room) then a Tiffany lamp will be suited well here. Because of the intricately designed stained glass, the light that Tiffany lamps give off is ambient.
Desk lamps are designed to provide light at—where else?—a work desk. These are task light specific, so they are not very useful in the living room. However, they are small enough to not get in the way and are extremely handy at any desk. Plus, they come in a huge variety of colors, shapes and sizes, many with adjustable arms, so you can add some flair and a personal touch to your work area.
Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is often overlooked, but is actually a great investment in your home. Not only does outdoor lighting augment and reflect the beauty of your home’s exterior, but it also helps increase the property value, keep paths and porches safely lit for when you arrive home late, and stave off would-be burglars and other unwelcome visitors. Overall, outdoor lighting is a worthy purchase on multiple levels.
Remember, outdoor lights are meant to help you find your way home safely, not to imitate a city skyline. Avoid littering your lawn with too many lights, or else it will look ridiculously similar to a neighborhood Christmas light competition. Instead, create a defined plan and map out where you want your lights to go.
Wall lanterns should be proportional with the doorway; one lantern should be about a third of the height of the door. Two lanterns should be about a fourth of the door size, and so on. Otherwise, the lantern could end up being way too small compared to your door. Also, mount wall lanterns meant for doorways slightly higher than eye level to avoid glare. Post mounted lanterns should be a bit larger, since they will look much smaller at a distance.
Landscape lighting can be hidden in trees and shrubs. Some outdoor lights are meant to resemble flowers, while others are decidedly more functional looking. In any case, make sure the lights do not shine into your neighbor’s yards. Pathway lights help you see your way so you can get to the door safely. Try tier lights that have modified downward sloping shades, so you can keep your eyes away from the glare. Flood lights, on the other hand, are designed to “flood” an outdoor area with bright light. They add drama to your landscaping as well as scare away intruders. Globe lights are a good source of ambient light around pools and hot tubs.
Timers, motion sensors and photo cell lights should be set to different switches than manually controlled lights. These lights are ideal for safety, since they will turn on whether or not you’re home. Plus, the light is on when you do get home, protecting you from tripping or falling in the dark.
Solar Lighting
Solar powered lights are another way to make your home more eco-friendly without it costing a fortune. When considering outdoor lights to purchase, look at solar lighting for an inexpensive yet long-lasting solution to lighting pathways, driveways, and other spots around the yard. Again, it reduces the cost of electricity and cuts back on pollution. Additionally, it saves you the hassle of having to replace the bulbs.
Besides being environmentally sounds, solar lights are great in places where a cable cannot reach. Because the solar power cells gather energy, there is no need to mess with tangled electrical cords in the yard. These lights are not designed for powerful lighting the way flood lights are, but they do help light up the yard and work well as decorative accent lighting.
Novelty Lighting
Novelty lighting is just as it sounds: whimsical, quirky and fun. Novelty lights come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, from the expected to the intriguing. Many of these lights are designed to be entertaining versions of a task light, such as an eccentric desk lamp shaped like a cube. Other novelty lighting includes billiard room lighting; if you have a game room, old-fashioned billiard lights will add extra authentic flair.
Children’s lighting is also often considered novelty lighting. Just as children’s bedrooms can be found decorated with cartoon bedspreads or furniture in animal shapes, you can find table lamps and pendant lighting in the shapes of bunnies, lighthouses, airplanes and more. These are actually a great way to accent a plain child’s room; since you want your kid’s bedroom furniture to last past the third grade, it is a good idea to turn to accent pieces to decorate the room in the theme they like most. For example, if the room is done up in a princess motif, it is less costly in the long run to buy a castle-shaped table lamp than it is to replace a castle influenced four-poster bed.