In modern living, lighting of house we
live in plays an important role.
Contemporary Lighting Technology can create right ambiance for a happy and
healthy living. An intelligentexploitation of lighting can enhance the look of interior spaces resulting ineconomy in consumption of energy, better feeling for the occupants and less
effort in carrying out day to day activities. It is worth the effort because it
forms a significant percentage in the cost of construction.
Harnessing of fire and with that
acquiring ability to create artificial light at will was an important step in
the progress of civilization. Sun the giver of light and warmth has been worshiped as God from the dawn of civilization. The value of light as an instrument to
increase the day light hours and extend the work hours encouraged efforts at
finding out ways and means of producing better and better and reliable producer
of light. Starting with torches made of pieces of wood/straw etc., the source
of light moved on to candles, oil and
gas lamps, incandescent lamps, Halogen and xenon bulbs. Still the light produced was unlike sunlight.
Pursuit to approximate sun light brought the invention of Fluorescent lamps. It
was a quantum leap. But the cost of
production of electricity, the source of light, was steadily going up. This encouraged finding ways of producing
more light at less consumption of energy. Compact Fluorescent Lamps appeared
towards the last quarter of 20th century. Light Emitting Diode lamps are the
latest still in the process of perfection and cost cutting to affordable prices.
But light is much more than an
illumination. It can accentuate space in
many ways viz., decorate, emphasize, subdue etc. Light can shape your mood. It
can soothe the mind, lift your spirit and help you to focus on your
thought. It has therapeutic properties.
It can invigorate your body. Lighting in
your house could be bland, pattern less and uninspiring if looked at purely
from the point of utility. With a little
thought and understanding it could be
much more than that and you can exploit as many of its dimensions as possible. You will certainly benefit by having expert
advice on it. But you can profit by
understanding basics of lighting.
Experts identify six ways of use viz, Task, Accent, Ambient, Decorative,
Informative and General.
Task lighting
Task lighting is that which makes a task
easier to perform, strain free and pleasant - example, a light that makes
reading or preparation ingredient in a kitchen platform. Properly designed task
lighting makes task performance easier by focusing, elimination of shadow,
giving right type of cool temperature and rendering.
Accent lighting
Accent lighting enhances various details
of a space or an object to reveal its texture, color, form or and pattern; example, a fireplace or an art piece in Museumgallery.
Ambient lighting
Ambient lighting is the type that
illuminates a space. For example, a room from several sources and sets a
minimum level of lighting which is comforting to the beholder. Ambient lighting
is done mostly by reflecting off the surfaces and rarely by direct
incidence. Ambient lighting does not
focus on anything in particular. It
helps a person who is working in task light focused area to look into surrounding
darker space immediately. If surrounding
is not lighted at all eye finds it difficult to adjust suddenly. This causes strain.
Decorative lighting
Decorative lighting is a type which does
not have any obligation to anything else but itself. The object emits light
that showoff like a lighted chandelier. All the effort is to make it self
center of attraction.
Informative lighting
Informative lighting lights area which
supplies some information to the viewer which helps him to become aware of
certain things he should know. Mostcommon example is an Exit sign in a cinema hall. One can quote many examples
such as lighted sign indicating the position of an escalator and highlights how
to use it properly or stop it in the face of a danger.
General lighting
General lighting is the type which is
provided with no particular purpose in mind but just to dispel darkness viz., a
bulb hanging centrally from a pendant in a room as was the routine in our
houses fifty years ago.
Colour, texture and patterns of walls
Next thing one shall have to know is about the colour, texture and
patterns on the wall, ceiling and floor space of the room which is to be
lighted. These too influence the nature
of the light provided. For example, if the purpose of space is to indicate
warmth and if the walls are already painted in some shade of red then the
lighting required will have to match with the colour of the wall.
Color Temperature Index
There are other factors also which are
peculiar to some situations like in a shop which sells saris the requirement is
how the cloth will look in natural day light. So if you know Color Temperature Index (CTI) of bulb that would be an added advantage. CTI is given in some other countries on the
packing. But in India we only give wattage
and supply voltage. Direct midday sunlight is 5500 K (Kelvin) where as a candle
is 2000K and incandescent light of 40 watts may be 2500 K.
Armed with the above knowledge it would
be better if an expert in lighting is called now and lighting of the house is
worked out and cost estimated. An intelligent use of the combination of lights,
painting of walls, ceilings and floors and choice of matching furniture
upholstery and furnishing lends a gratifying atmosphere.
Accessories
Accessories, i.e. switches, plugs and
boards which contain them also have a role
to play. These days they are
available in many designs and materials.
Important consideration should be on their location, durability and
safety. Modular switches lend flexibility. Self locking switches give safety.
If one selects these accessories made by a well known brand replacement will be
easier.
Ornamental luminaries used must be
attractive, strong and functional. Do
not go in for cheap ones. The polish should last long. They should resist accumulation of dust and
grit. They should not become receptacles for dead insects. They should be open at bottom. In tropics
this is an important consideration. The out door fittings should be water
proof, so also junction boxes and switches.
Domes with many screws are difficult to dismantle. High hanging lights
are difficult to maintain.
Easy maintenance and replacement is an
important consideration. Once I asked a
friend of mine who runs a retail shop what made him replace all the bulbs in
the shop with CFL. "Was energy consumption the consideration?" I
asked. He told me that was not the main
consideration but difficulty in getting an electrician in time for repair,
replacement of choke and refixing of tube mounting made him choose CFL. He
opined that he had to have more light points as CFL light was not as bright as
that florescent tube gave out. He found
CFL easy to fix in the holder; an ordinary bulb could also act as a stop gap.
Home lighting
Let us start with Living room. Assuming
that it is the largest space in the house, it must have Ambient lighting in
addition to any other type. Scones which
reflect off the walls should go hand in hand with decorative and other types of
lighting. TV should not be watched
switching off lights and making the surrounding dark. Eyes have to adjust each
time the eye moves from TV to dark area and back. Also lights should not placed in positions
which cast reflections on the TV screen. Same applies to study room where study
table may have a task lamp. The light
should come at an angle over the shoulder and it should not induce glare.
In the dining room or dining area a
light which is an approximation to day light should be preferred so that
natural colors of the dishes are seen.
It could be as pendent light with adjustable height if you prefer.
Pendent lights are not suitable for Bedrooms. Lighting and fan switches should all be accessible from bed. If it is double bed then from both
sides. The task light i.e. reading light
should not disturb other person. One Light over the dressing table will
generate shadows on the person. There should be soft light from both sides of
the mirror.
In the children's room switches and
plugs should be self locking. It is better if plugs are at heights which are
not accessible to small children. Also switch of a general lighting point
should be outside near the door so that a child can switch on and enter the
room rather than enter in dark. Night lamps should not hit the eye
straight.
Stairs should have two way switches and
light should not throw shadow. Landing
and winders shall be well lighted.
Special lighting arrangement is required
for bath rooms as they accommodate many tasks now a days. Many a times they are
long and narrow and some times their floor levels are at different levels. At least one switch for area lighting should
be outside the room near the entrance. The bath tub or Jacuzzi should be well
lighted and switch should be available from sitting position.
Kitchen lighting also requires careful
consideration. There are many work spots
and storage areas. The cooking and the preparation areas require task lighting.
The main cabinets which store essential cutlery, food articles should have
light near inner edge which lights up when door is opened. It is also a good practice to have at least
one light point in each room on emergency light
Out door lighting has to balance light
and darkness and may have one or several of the purposes given below, viz.
- Safety
and security
- Emergency
- Informative
- Lighting pathways, steps, and such other features
- General
and spot lighting
Out door lighting is best when it is
subdued and merges with the nature and landscaping. The fittings and cables should be weather
proof. It is wise to have switches of
out side security lights inside the house preferably at the entrance so that a
few lights can be switched on from inside.
Control switches to security lights in multipurpose hall and master bed
room will help assess danger from intrusion.
The lights in the lawns should not attract insects. Otherwise they will create nuisance for any
outdoor gathering.
With the progress in electronics many
intelligent solutions/ variations have come up like dimming or brightening a
space at will, automatic switching off when not in use.
Shades also make their contribution to
the lighting statement. They are now available made of variety of material,
shape and colour. Paper, bamboo, ceramic, plastic, brass, stainless steel
etc.
Lighting component in the cost of
construction of an ordinary middle class house in the early twentieth century
was less than 3 percent of cost of construction. Now it is anything between 8
to 10 %. Number of light points, plug
points, fan points etc. have gone up phenomenally.
Are you one of those lackadaisical
people who spend money for the sake of spending? If you are one of those who
cares how he spends money and wants to exploit full potential of today's
technology, you would do some home work and then take expert advice and provide
lighting accordingly. The aim is to
harmonise home environment with family personality, healthy living and enhance
looks and may be worth of the property.
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