| OCR Text |
Show Proper Lighting Use Important In The Conservation of Energy Lighting is a major area of concern in energy conservation. Our use of lighting far exceeds our basic needs, say officials of Utah State University's Extension Service. To conserve energy, lighting must provide adequate illumination with the least possible heat emission, designing a functional lighting plan involves: the light source (kind of lighting) amount of illumination needed for the task. location of lamps and fixtures. Light sources include both natural (sunlight) and artificial light (lighting fixtures). The incandescent lamp is the artificial light source most commonly used today. Popularity of the incandescent lamp is due to its simplicity of use and the low price of the lamp compared to other sources but it has the poorest efficiency in the lamp category. Efficiency of incandescent lamps increase as lamp wattage in creases. For example, one 100-watt bulb produces about the same amount of light as two 60-watt bulbs, yet uses 20 percent less energy. Incandescent lighting is recommended where a concentrated amount of light is needed in a small area such as sewing, reading, and grooming. Fluorescent lights are three to five times more efficient, last seven to ten times longer, and generate less heat than incandescent bulbs. The efficiency increases with lamp length. Reduced wattage fluorescent lamps introduced in recent years use from 10-20 percent less wattage than conventional fluorescent lamps, depending on size. Use fluorescent lighting in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, workshop and family areas of your home. Choose a color which controls color rendition. For example, deluxe cool white emphasizes blues while deluxe warm white accents ' reds, if fluorescent lamps are not feasible, ' try using fewer higher-wattage incandescent bulbs. Different amounts of light are required for seeing in different situations. In a home, seeing takes place against a background of light reflected from major surfaces such as walls, draperies, and furniture, dark values (such as wood paneling) and dull textures absorb light, requiring more lighting to maintain the same comfort level achieved with light colored walls. Shielding on Fixtures also affects light productivity. Shielding can diffuse light for general illumination or concentrate it on a special activity. Cornice or closed top valence lighting over a window provides general illumination and helps control drafts. Translucent shades and diffusing bowls allow lamps to produce maximum light. Opaque or dark shades direct light for strong concentrations in a small area. Reflection of light is increased when a shade is lined with a white or light colored inner surface. Location of lighting fixtures affect total energy usage in your lighting design. For efficient use, concentrate light where you need it for work and study. Install fixtures on two or three circuits so that lighting in various parts of the room can be controlled by separate switches. Use solid-state dimmer switches so you can regulate lighting level according to activity and save energy. Locate lamps in corners where ho lii?hi will reflect off two walls lor maximum lighting. Walls of a light color and light-colored draperies reflect light back into a room. Place lamps so the activity is properly illuminated. The bottom of the shade of a table lamp should be at eye level and a floor lamp about 40 inches from the floor. In most cases, it is possible to make simple changes to improve the efficiency and quality of illumination of your present lighting system. In addition to the above information remember these pointers: Frequent switching on and off shortens the life of a light bulb. Turn off incandescent lights if leaving a room for more than 3 mintues; fluorescent lamps if leaving a room for 15 minutes. Keep bulbs, reflectors, shields, and shades clean. Dust and dirt absorb light and lower efficiency by as much as 50 percent. Do not leave lights burning continuously wnen away irom nome. Connect a single light to a timer switch. Use 3-way bulbs high setting for reading, medium and low settings for general lighting. Take advantage of natural light. Trim shrubs and vines away from the window. Draperies that let light pass through help too. Another alternative is to move tasks closer to the window. Use light colored lampshades with white liners. Effective lampshades, are wide at top and bottom, but not too deep. |
