| Incandescent light bulbs have been in use since | | | | applications have also been expanded over the |
| the early 1880s. These bulbs have provided | | | | years. People use a variety of styles of lighting |
| humans with illumination, safety, and security for | | | | for residential and commercial uses. For residential |
| over a century. They have been used to light up | | | | use, as well as some commercial applications, |
| every room of our homes, offices, and other | | | | there are three basic types of lighting. These are: |
| places of business. The heat from these luminaries | | | | General - Provides overall illumination of an |
| has been known to save lives, back in the days | | | | area; usually radiates a comfortable level of |
| before incubators were readily available. In some | | | | brightness; basically is a form of replacing sunlight; |
| places, the incandescent bulbs are still used as | | | | and enables a person to see and walk about |
| incubator lamps. Yet, the incandescent light bulbs | | | | safely. |
| will soon be banned globally and other types of | | | | Task - Assists with the performance of |
| bulbs will have to be used instead. | | | | specific tasks, such as reading and doing detailed |
| Reasons for global ban: | | | | work; should be free of shadows and glares |
| For many decades, some scientists and other | | | | Accent - Helps to create dramatic visual |
| experts have been sounding an alarm about global | | | | affect, such as spotlighting paintings, plants, and |
| warming. According to these experts, coal-burning | | | | other prized possessions; also highlights texture |
| electric power plant emissions are major | | | | and landscaping features. |
| contributors to the green house gas effects. In | | | | Types of lighting fixtures and appropriate light |
| order to reduce the green house effect and global | | | | source: |
| warming, humans must reduce their energy | | | | One of the best ways to reduce energy |
| consumption. Incandescent light bulbs waste a lot | | | | consumption is to properly apply lighting |
| of energy when in use, and billions of them are in | | | | technology to the individual's lifestyle and needs. |
| use every day. | | | | Each light fixture is designed to use a particular |
| Up until recently, using other alternatives to the | | | | type of light bulb, and to provide a specific type |
| incandescent bulbs has been strictly voluntary. | | | | of light source. Utilizing too many light fixtures or |
| However, most of the governments of the first | | | | not enough light fixtures to project the amount of |
| world countries are now highly involved in | | | | light needed can waste energy. Moreover, using |
| resolving the global warming issues. Many laws | | | | the wrong wattage of light bulbs can needlessly |
| have been passed in the past few years that ban | | | | consume energy. |
| the production and usage of this type of bulb. | | | | Therefore, people should become aware of the |
| Within the next decade, these higher wattage | | | | kinds of light fixtures available, and what each one |
| bulbs will become extinct, unless something | | | | is designed to do. Here are some of the light |
| drastically changes the current trend. | | | | fixtures currently on the market, and what |
| Other Lighting Options: | | | | purposes they fulfill: |
| Currently, people have a few other choices of | | | | Track Lighting - Provides general, task, or |
| lighting available. Each type has advantages and | | | | accent lighting; is very flexible and versatile, can |
| disadvantages, so there is some controversy as | | | | use standard or low-voltage current, and a choice |
| to which will be best for future use. Some of | | | | of incandescent, tungsten-halogen, and |
| these light sources are better for commercial or | | | | energy-efficient compact fluorescent light sources. |
| outdoor applications, while others are better for | | | | Recessed Lighting - Provides general, task, or |
| indoor or residential applications. These types are | | | | accent lighting in less noticeable ways.; especially |
| on the market now or will be in the near future: | | | | great enhancements for low-ceilings and high |
| Fluorescent (CFL) - Pros: Uses approximately | | | | cathedral ceilings; available in both standard and |
| 1/5 to 1/3 of electricity as comparable | | | | low-voltage current and a choice of incandescent, |
| incandescent bulbs, and lasts up to 20 times | | | | tungsten-halogen, and energy-efficient compact |
| longer. Cons: contains mercury and other toxic | | | | fluorescents. |
| elements, there are not enough places to safely | | | | Ceiling Fixtures - Provides general lighting; are |
| dispose of the spent bulb and mercury can | | | | especially practical for use in busy areas; are |
| endanger humans if bulb breaks, need extra | | | | available with incandescent, fluorescent, and |
| components, such as ballasts. | | | | energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs |
| Light-emitting diodes (LED): Pros: Is more | | | | Portable Lamps - Provides general, task, and |
| efficient than other types of light bulbs and lasts | | | | accent lighting; somewhat flexible, depending on |
| up to five times longer. Cons: very expensive | | | | lamp's style and shape; available with incandescent, |
| initial output for consumers, have not been fully | | | | tungsten-halogen, and energy-efficient compact |
| developed for residential use yet. | | | | fluorescent bulbs. |
| Tungsten-Halogen - Pros: Provides more light | | | | Wall-Mounted Fixtures - Provides general, |
| per watt, they emit a whiter, brighter and more | | | | task, and accent lighting; good for supplementing |
| focused light beam; maintain maximum efficiency | | | | overhead lighting or lighting smaller areas, such as |
| throughout life of bulb, and has a longer life than | | | | hallway or bedroom; are available with a choice of |
| regular incandescent, can be dimmed. Cons: They | | | | incandescent, tungsten-halogen, and |
| are more expensive, need to be handled more | | | | energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs |
| carefully, and can become fire hazards if used in | | | | Pendants - Provides task and general lighting; |
| certain areas and don't give off as warm of a | | | | are good for freeing up space normally occupied |
| glow as incandescent lights do. | | | | by table lamps; usually has a dimmer control to |
| Xenon-Halogen: Pros: Puts out as much light | | | | adjust lighting, but not all bulbs are compatible with |
| as a tungsten halogen but burns cooler; Cons: is | | | | dimmers. |
| more expensive and cannot be used in very | | | | For consumers, it is hard to keep up with all the |
| many applications. | | | | options available, just for residential applications, let |
| High-Intensity Discharge (HID): Pros: Produces | | | | alone for other applications, such as for vehicles. |
| a larger quantity of light from a relatively small | | | | Consumers can obtain more information online |
| bulb, lasts a long time; Cons: needs auxiliary | | | | from organizations, such as the American Lighting |
| equipment, such as ballasts, has not been fully | | | | Association or the U.S. department of Energy. The |
| adapted to residential use yet. | | | | Environmental Protection Agency is another good |
| Low-Pressure Sodium: Pros: highest efficiency | | | | source. |
| of all commercially available lighting sources and | | | | It can be quite difficult for an untrained individual |
| are economical; Cons: only emits a yellow light, | | | | to choose the proper lighting suitable to his or her |
| takes awhile to warm up before reaching full | | | | needs. Anyone who is in the process of |
| brightness, is only adapted to outdoor uses. | | | | remodeling their home or designing a new lighting |
| Types of applications: | | | | plan should consult a certified lighting consultant or |
| The types of lighting sources are not the only | | | | visit a local lighting showroom. |
| changes that have occurred. The lighting | | | | |