Fluorescent lights no longer give just a dim flicker. Yes they are the environmental choice to normal light bulbs, but they can also be funky and are a favourite of contemporary designers. So why are they a good environmental choice, and what's so cool about them?
Any electrician can tell you that fluorescent lights tend to last four to ten times as long as incandescent (filament) light bulbs and use roughly 20% of the power. The trouble with incandescent light bulbs is that 95% of the electricity they use is lost through heat and merely 5% is in fact used to light up a room.
Despite the fact that fluorescent bulbs are more expensive to buy initially, they will save you money in the long run, generally paying for themselves in under a year. And they fit in most existing light fixtures, so you won't even call for an electrician to change your fixtures.
Another direct environmental advantage is that because the light bulbs last so much longer they create less waste for the garbage dump as less are being thrown away each year. And once you're fitting them and doing your part, you could even feel so green and environmentally aware that you take your tasks further and turn lights off when they're not being used.
When you do require to toss away fluorescent light bulbs at that time try and do so correctly. Unlike normal light bulbs, they have a tiny quantity of mercury which is environmentally harmful if they are binned, so ask your local council about recycling services for light bulbs and do your bit to keep them out of the garbage dump.
Now for the fun bit! Fluorescent lights are fantastic if you want to create a colour wash on the wall or against curtains. They can be recessed so that the light seems to come magically from a hidden supply and if the light shines against a reflective surface, you can create a thoroughly dramatic effect. You can also talk to your electrician about installing more than one fluorescent tube so that you have a option of colours at your fingertips.
FL lights of course happen in white but also four basic colours - red, yellow, green and blue. If not any of these agree with your plan, you might put a white light following a coloured filter of your choice or even get coloured theatrical lighting goo which can be applied to the bulb to attain the effect you're after. There are even companies that sell bulbs previously coated, offering a range of colours if you can't face doing it yourself.
If you're putting together a lighting plan bear in mind that fluorescent white light tends to appear calm rather than warm. Fluorescent bulbs can be integrated into a dimmer plan when of course they turn out to be less bright, but they won't produce a warm glow like a incandescent bulb. As well as being put onto dimmers your electrician could go one step further and incorporate them into a system of pre-set scenes to generate several mood choices for your room.
The truth is that in 2007 the US Government announced that incandescent light bulbs are to be banned by 2011, which ought to help save around 5 million tonnes of CO2 by US domestic users alone. So it makes sense to get ready now for this new age in lighting. Light bulbs in the US are now graded A-G for environmental effectiveness, so it's easy to pick ones that do less damage and that will save you money in the mid and long term. And it doesn't mean living in darkness - fluorescent lights have come a long way since their flickering early stages.
Any electrician can tell you that fluorescent lights tend to last four to ten times as long as incandescent (filament) light bulbs and use roughly 20% of the power. The trouble with incandescent light bulbs is that 95% of the electricity they use is lost through heat and merely 5% is in fact used to light up a room.
Despite the fact that fluorescent bulbs are more expensive to buy initially, they will save you money in the long run, generally paying for themselves in under a year. And they fit in most existing light fixtures, so you won't even call for an electrician to change your fixtures.
Another direct environmental advantage is that because the light bulbs last so much longer they create less waste for the garbage dump as less are being thrown away each year. And once you're fitting them and doing your part, you could even feel so green and environmentally aware that you take your tasks further and turn lights off when they're not being used.
When you do require to toss away fluorescent light bulbs at that time try and do so correctly. Unlike normal light bulbs, they have a tiny quantity of mercury which is environmentally harmful if they are binned, so ask your local council about recycling services for light bulbs and do your bit to keep them out of the garbage dump.
Now for the fun bit! Fluorescent lights are fantastic if you want to create a colour wash on the wall or against curtains. They can be recessed so that the light seems to come magically from a hidden supply and if the light shines against a reflective surface, you can create a thoroughly dramatic effect. You can also talk to your electrician about installing more than one fluorescent tube so that you have a option of colours at your fingertips.
FL lights of course happen in white but also four basic colours - red, yellow, green and blue. If not any of these agree with your plan, you might put a white light following a coloured filter of your choice or even get coloured theatrical lighting goo which can be applied to the bulb to attain the effect you're after. There are even companies that sell bulbs previously coated, offering a range of colours if you can't face doing it yourself.
If you're putting together a lighting plan bear in mind that fluorescent white light tends to appear calm rather than warm. Fluorescent bulbs can be integrated into a dimmer plan when of course they turn out to be less bright, but they won't produce a warm glow like a incandescent bulb. As well as being put onto dimmers your electrician could go one step further and incorporate them into a system of pre-set scenes to generate several mood choices for your room.
The truth is that in 2007 the US Government announced that incandescent light bulbs are to be banned by 2011, which ought to help save around 5 million tonnes of CO2 by US domestic users alone. So it makes sense to get ready now for this new age in lighting. Light bulbs in the US are now graded A-G for environmental effectiveness, so it's easy to pick ones that do less damage and that will save you money in the mid and long term. And it doesn't mean living in darkness - fluorescent lights have come a long way since their flickering early stages.
About the Author:
If you could build your own DIY Solar Panels in your backyard, why wouldn't you? Get your DIY Solar Panel Plans now and you will be generating your own power this weekend!
0 comments:
Post a Comment