LIGHT BULBS
Developers are required to design housing with energy efficiency in mind and this includes lighting systems.
Light bulbs are available in many and varied forms, most often with low energy consumption needs. This can mean that a bulb can take a few moments from the point of switching on before achieving maximum light output.
Some bulbs are provided with a small suction cup to make the task of removing the old one easier and, due to the lower energy consumption, bulbs tend to last many more hours than they once did.
Developers are required to design housing with energy efficiency in mind and this includes lighting systems.
Light bulbs are available in many and varied forms, most often with low energy consumption needs. This can mean that a bulb can take a few moments from the point of switching on before achieving maximum light output.
Some bulbs are provided with a small suction cup to make the task of removing the old one easier and, due to the lower energy consumption, bulbs tend to last many more hours than they once did.
CARBON FILAMENT LAMPS (CFL)
Also known as ‘Edison’ bulbs or ‘Antique filament’ bulbs and are currently highly fashionable in both domestic and commercial environments.
PLUS
Adds warmth, character and ‘chic’ to an interior.
MINUS
Lower levels of light emission – more about look than illumination and relatively expensive to buy.
LED (LIGHT EMITTING DIODE)
Highest level of light output, almost no heat at all.
PLUS
Very long life (up to 50,000 hours) which is about 50 X longer than an incandescent lamp, 25 X longer than a halogen lamp and 10 x more than a CFL. Provides the most efficient use of electricity – used 12 hours a day a 50,000 hour bulb will last for 11 years. Also resistant to shock and vibration.
MINUS
Expensive to buy – but remember, cheaper to run over the long term.
LAMP HOLDERS
Historically, ‘Bayonet’ cap was used in most UK domestic lighting and ‘Edison’ screw-cap was utilised in Europe and the USA. Most lights today will have versions available in each.
The most common sizes are:
E27 or ES or Standard Screw to accommodate light bulbs with a 27mm diameter cap.
E14 or SES or Small Edison Screw to accommodate light bulbs with a 14mm diameter cap.
B22 or Ba22d or Bayonet Cap to accommodate light bulbs with a 22mm diameter cap.
B15 or Ba15d or SBC or Small Bayonet Cap to accommodate light bulbs with a 15mm diameter cap.