Home Design and Management 6th years
Systems and Services
Lighting
Good Lighting is important in the home because:
- It prevents eyestrain
- It prevents accidents
- It can create atmospheres and moods
- It can enhance features of interior design.
Natural:
- Daylight
- Suitable for most activities
- The amount of light entering a room is dependant on several factors:
o Aspect of room: South facing gets more light
o Colour scheme: Dark colours absorb light, light colours reflect light
o Windows: Number and size
o Materials in room: Smooth, glossy surfaces reflect light and textured fabrics absorb light.
o High ceiling: This allows for higher windows
Artificial:
- Powered by electricity
- Other sources of artificial light are candles, battery operated torches and oil lamps.
- Classification of artificial lights .
Tungsten Fluorescent Compact
Filament Lamp Tubes Fluorescent Lights
Tungsten Filament Lamp:
- Incandescent light is the closest to natural light
- Clear, pearl, white or coloured glass
- Contains nitrogen and argon gas
- Tungsten filament coil runs through the bulb which resists the flow of electricity and gives off a white light as it heats up.
- Lasts approx 1000hrs.
- Measured in Watts from 25W to 200W
Fluorescent Tubes:
- Long narrow tube which is coated with a fluorescent chemical (phosphor) and contains mercury and argon gas
- At either end of the tube are electrodes which heat up when electricity is passed through them
- These heated electrodes cause the mercury to change to vapour and this gives off an ultraviolet light when it reacts with the phosphor
- Lasts approx 3000hrs
- Lengths vary from 30cm to 2.5m
- More light than filament lamps
- It gives off more light than filament bulbs and lasts longer; however they can be more expensive and make noise while in use.
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL):
- These are very energy efficient
- Use 1/5 of electricity used by filament lamp but give same light
- More expensive to buy however they work out cheaper in the long run due to low running cost and the length of time they last
- Lasts approx 8000hrs
- Ideal for use in areas which require light for long periods of time
Properties of Light:
Light travels in straight lines until it meets an obstacle. What happens to the light then can affect the brightness of a room.
- Reflected light: This is where light bounces off bright, shiny surfaces. This helps the room to become much brighter.
- Absorbed light: This is where light is absorbed by dark colours and rough surfaces making the room darker.
- Diffused light: This is where light is scattered by non-reflecting surfaces into different areas of the room. This brightens areas of the room which do not
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- get light directly. E.g. Up lighters
- Refracted light: Light rays are bent and change direction as they pass through transparent substances. This can be used in doors and bathrooms to give privacy and still add light to a room.
- Dispersed light: This is where white light is broken into its 7 colours when passed through a prism. E.g. crystal lampshades.
Planning a lighting system:
- When planning the design of the house natural light is a priority so housing plans should include as many windows as possible and all necessary light fittings and sockets.
- Ensure lighting is sufficient for both the size and the use of the room. There should be more lighting in rooms which are used for eye-straining activities.
- Use shades and pearl bulbs as this cuts down on glare
- Consider safety
- Lighting within a room should vary. All rooms can use natural during the day. Mix direct with indirect light e.g. central light with up lighters.
- All light fixtures should suit the décor of the house
- Consider maintenance, all fittings should be easy to clean and replace.
Lighting safety:
- All fittings should be properly installed
- Use correct strength of fuse and bulb wattage
- Lampshades should not touch bulb
- Bathrooms switches should be pull cord or outside door
- Areas which are prone to accidents should be well lit e.g. staircases, exteriors steps