New energy standards were introduced in 2012, and we are now spoiled for choice when it comes to making responsible choices about our lighting devices. All devices now come with a standardised Energy Star Rating for ease of comparison, and popular choices for peak efficiency include LEDs, halogen incandescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs. For a personalised discussion about your situation, chat to a distinguished electrician professional in Point Cook.
The main problem with standard incandescent lights is that they waste a lot of energy. Light bulbs give of energy as light and heat, and in this case we want to minimise what is given off as heat while maximise what is given off as light. To put this in perspective, traditional globes emit 90% of their energy as heat, and only 10% as light. That means that for our purposes of lighting a room, 90% of the energy is going to waste.
LEDs are generally a little more expensive, but in general this cost evens out because they also last much longer than other types of lighting. Downlights commonly use LEDs, and this is primarily from a convenience point of view. Downlights sit flush against the ceiling, and depending on how high your ceilings are, this can mean that they are pretty difficult to reach. Therefore, it is worth paying another few dollars per bulb if it means that you are going to have to change them only once every couple of years. This is particularly true for lights which are over stairwells. This task is usually not recommended as a job for the family handyman, as it can be a seriously dangerous venture. In these instances, a professional electrician should be called in. Of course, there will be a call out fee as well as a labour fee, which means that LEDs which last longer are absolutely essential over stairwells and in other problem areas. LEDs are also generally directional, casting a direct spotlight downward. They can be tilted accordingly to provide light to the specific area of interest.
LEDs are generally considered the most efficient of the three options mentioned. These save upwards of 75% of your lighting energy. CFL bulbs come in a close second, hovering at around the 70% mark, while halogen incandescent only save about a quarter. CFL lights are just smaller (compact) versions of standard fluorescent lights, and so a big advantage of them compared to LEDs is that they fit into a standard socket with no adaptor necessary. CFLs are very cheap to purchase and install, and are therefore a good short term or temporary choice. However, the big downside is that they contain small amounts of mercury which can be very dangerous if handled incorrectly. Breakages need to be handled with extreme caution. Furthermore, increased heat is necessary for the effective operation of the halogen bulb. They heat up much more than other lights and this can pose a fire hazard. Halogen bulbs are therefore not recommended for ceiling use.
One main problem people have with traditional fluorescent lamps is that they look quite harsh, however newer designs of CFLs are available that diffuse the light effectively. They are also available in warm, yellow tones as opposed to the original white light. Halogen incandescents are not ideal. They do meet the minimum energy efficiency standards, but are outperformed by other options. If you would like to talk about how you can best update the current lighting in your home, then please get in touch with a Friendly Electrician Expert in Point Cook from Electricians On Call.
The main problem with standard incandescent lights is that they waste a lot of energy. Light bulbs give of energy as light and heat, and in this case we want to minimise what is given off as heat while maximise what is given off as light. To put this in perspective, traditional globes emit 90% of their energy as heat, and only 10% as light. That means that for our purposes of lighting a room, 90% of the energy is going to waste.
LEDs are generally a little more expensive, but in general this cost evens out because they also last much longer than other types of lighting. Downlights commonly use LEDs, and this is primarily from a convenience point of view. Downlights sit flush against the ceiling, and depending on how high your ceilings are, this can mean that they are pretty difficult to reach. Therefore, it is worth paying another few dollars per bulb if it means that you are going to have to change them only once every couple of years. This is particularly true for lights which are over stairwells. This task is usually not recommended as a job for the family handyman, as it can be a seriously dangerous venture. In these instances, a professional electrician should be called in. Of course, there will be a call out fee as well as a labour fee, which means that LEDs which last longer are absolutely essential over stairwells and in other problem areas. LEDs are also generally directional, casting a direct spotlight downward. They can be tilted accordingly to provide light to the specific area of interest.
LEDs are generally considered the most efficient of the three options mentioned. These save upwards of 75% of your lighting energy. CFL bulbs come in a close second, hovering at around the 70% mark, while halogen incandescent only save about a quarter. CFL lights are just smaller (compact) versions of standard fluorescent lights, and so a big advantage of them compared to LEDs is that they fit into a standard socket with no adaptor necessary. CFLs are very cheap to purchase and install, and are therefore a good short term or temporary choice. However, the big downside is that they contain small amounts of mercury which can be very dangerous if handled incorrectly. Breakages need to be handled with extreme caution. Furthermore, increased heat is necessary for the effective operation of the halogen bulb. They heat up much more than other lights and this can pose a fire hazard. Halogen bulbs are therefore not recommended for ceiling use.
One main problem people have with traditional fluorescent lamps is that they look quite harsh, however newer designs of CFLs are available that diffuse the light effectively. They are also available in warm, yellow tones as opposed to the original white light. Halogen incandescents are not ideal. They do meet the minimum energy efficiency standards, but are outperformed by other options. If you would like to talk about how you can best update the current lighting in your home, then please get in touch with a Friendly Electrician Expert in Point Cook from Electricians On Call.
No comments:
Post a Comment