Energy
efficient lighting can reduce household energy usage by 50% to 70%
while still maintaining a healthy and happy well-lit atmosphere. When
designing or remodeling a home, understanding some basic principles
of lighting can ensure a safely, energy-efficient home.
Energy efficient lighting relies on lighting quantity and quality,
energy consumption and lighting uses. Below are some basic definitions
in order for you to get started:
• Lighting Quantity refers to the illumination, lumen and footcandle
of lighting. Illumination is the distribution of the light over a
surface area. Lumen is the measurement of light emitted and footcandle
is the intensity of the light.
• Light Quality considers the color temperature and rendition
as well as the glare of a light. Color temperature is the color of
the light source, while rendition is how color appears in the light.
• Energy Consumption refers to the ratio of light created to
energy used.
• Light Uses includes ambient, task and track lighting. General
indoor and outdoor lighting is considered ambient, while desk and
table lamps as well as bathroom mirror lighting is task lighting.
Track lighting refers to lighting that draws attention to a certain
area or object.
To get the most out of your energy efficient lighting, map out your
home and its use of daylight in each season before deciding which
light quantity and quality is best for your light use.