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Lighting Effects
Quantity & Quality of Light Can Affect Productivity
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The quantity and quality of light around
us determine how well we see, work,
and play. Light affects our health,
safety, morale, comfort, and productivity. To
save energy while still maintaining good light
quantity and quality, consider the following
information from the Dept. of Energy.
Consider using high-intensity discharge
(also called HID) or low-pressure sodium
lights. Exterior lighting is one of the best
places to use CFLs because of their long life.
If in a cold climate, be sure to buy a lamp with
a cold weather ballast since standard CFLs
may not work well below 40°F.
Use outdoor lights with a photocell unit or
a motion sensor so they will turn on only at
night or when someone is present. A combined
photocell and motion sensor will increase
your energy savings even more.
Consider using 4-watt minifluorescent or
electro-luminescent night-lights. Both lights
are much more efficient than their incandescent
counterparts. The luminescent lights are
cool to the touch.
If you have torchiere fixtures with halogen lamps, consider replacing them with compact
fluorescent torchieres. Compact fluorescent
torchieres use 60 percent to 80 percent less
energy, can produce more light (lumens), and
do not get as hot as the halogen torchieres.
Halogen torchieres are a fire risk because of
the high temperature of the halogen bulb.
Take advantage of daylight by using curtains
or blinds on your windows to allow daylight
to penetrate the room while preserving
privacy. Also, decorate with lighter colors that
reflect daylight.
Recessed downlights (also called recessed
cans) are now available that are rated for contact
with insulation (IC rated), are designed
specifically for pin-based CFLs, and can be
used in retrofits or new construction.
Use CFLs in all portable table and floor
lamps. Consider carefully the size and fit of
these systems when you select them. Some
fixtures may not accommodate some of the
larger CFLs.
Consider using 4-watt minifluorescent or
electro-luminescent night lights. Both lights
are much more efficient than their incandescent
counterparts. The luminescent lights are
cool to the touch.
Consider three-way lamps; they make it
easier to keep lighting levels low when
brighter light is not necessary.
Use task lighting; instead of brightly lighting
an entire room, focus the light where you
need it.
Turn off the lights in any room you’re not
using, or consider installing timers, photocells,
or occupancy sensors to reduce the amount of
time your lights are on.
Use dimmers, motion sensors, or occupancy
sensors to automatically turn on or off
lighting as needed and prevent energy waste.
Install fluorescent light fixtures for all ceiling-
and wall-mounted fixtures that will be on
for more than 2 hours each day.
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
in place of comparable incandescent bulbs to
save about 50 percent on your lighting costs.
CFLs use only one-fourth the energy and last
up to 10 times longer.
Turn your lights off when you leave a
room. Standard, incandescent light bulbs
should be turned off whenever they are not
needed. Fluorescent lights should be turned
off whenever you’ll be away for 15 minutes or
more. ❑
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