What Are the Types of Lighting?
Lighting is one of the most important elements in home automation. It has the power to change the mood of a room and can even affect our emotions and state of mind.
With the right illumination, we can create a cozy and inviting space to relax in, or a bright and airy room to get work done.
There are many different forms of lighting to choose from, and each has its unique benefits. In this article, we will explore the different types and how they can be used to create the perfect ambiance in your home.
Four Primary Types of Lighting
There are four different lighting types, each designed for different purposes.
Ambient lighting
This is also known as general lighting and is an essential feature in most buildings. It offers comfortable and powerful illumination of the area. There are two types of ambient illumination, those used indoors and outdoors. They all provide the same visibility as the sun, allowing adequate visibility for someone to walk safely and comfortably undertake other activities.
Outdoor ambient lighting
These are used for outdoor spaces for decoration and to enhance visibility. Even when used for decor, they enhance the visibility of the area. For instance, they can be placed surrounding an object to create a certain effect while increasing the area’s security.
Additionally, these devices offer good security solutions when installed surrounding the perimeter of a home or facility because they are bright and don’t cast shadows. Also, they allow you to walk safely without stumbling on any obstacles on a pathway.
Indoor ambient lights
All indoor spaces should have ambient lamps to provide vivid, uniform illumination when necessary. These lights ensure proper visibility for safety and movement. Additionally, they are reflected by walls maximizing their effect to offer a good overview of a space.
Task lighting
These are usually located in workspaces within the home. Depending on the task, they illuminate specific locations with a comfortable glow without glare or straining. They are often used for functions such as cooking in the kitchen, focusing on the working area, and reading in various rooms. Also, these bulbs are designed differently to enhance indoor aesthetics. Their designs vary, ranging from under cabinet fixtures to portable lamps.
Accent lighting
Accent creates visual interest and is designed for decoration. For instance, illuminating a sculpture, houseplant, or wall painting. They are also used for outdoor landscaping to emphasize a particular item of interest and to create an impression of a larger space.
To generate the intended effect, they should be set to give more illumination (3 times) than other sources in the room.
Decorative lighting
These are statement pieces used to add aesthetics to the space.
What are the types of lighting used for decoration? Examples here include chandeliers, pendants, and floor lamps. They are used to enhance aesthetics and set the mood of a room. Chandeliers, for instance, can be used to enhance the appearance of various spaces in the house.
Whether you are going for an ambient, task, accent, or decorative fixture, you can always take things further with automated lighting and make your home more comfortable.
Fixtures Most Often Used to Supply General Ambient Lighting
There are various fixture options for mounting ambient lamps. The type you choose should match the location and nature of the space.
Some common ones include:
Ceiling mounted fixtures
These are ceiling-mounted ambient lights fixed on top of the flat surface of a ceiling, protruding outwards. These fixtures are a perfect general lighting solution for rooms with low ceilings and limited space. They are perfect for the living room and hallways.
LED downlights
These are fixtures embedded into the ceiling shining down. In most cases, the trim lies flat on the ceiling surface, while others are designed to stick down with an aiming illumination. The major benefits of these devices are that they give a clear glow and are energy-saving, producing less heat. They consume 90% less power compared to halogen and incandescent bulbs. They also last longer and don’t require frequent replacement.
Track lights
These are fixtures attached to a continuous device. They can be customized for use in different spaces such as offices, dark hallways, and living rooms or to create certain design effects.
Track illuminations are loved for their capacity to illuminate commercial spaces, such as displays for art or clothing. They are also easy to install because they come with junction boxes. These devices can be LED, halogen, incandescent, or fluorescent.
Wall-Mounted Fixtures
These types of ambient lights are very common in homes. They are fitted directly onto the wall, and examples include vanity lamps, diffusers, and scones. Wall-mounted fixtures are easy to install and come in unlimited varieties for various uses.
You can also use LED wall-mounted lamps, which are eco-friendly and durable. On the downside, they take up space, reducing the size of a room and increasing glare in a room because they are often in the field of view. If you choose this option, be sure to consult installation experts on the recommended shielding, heights, and aiming angles.
Floor Lamps
For a long time, floor lamps have been used to provide ambient illumination in homes. These are tall standing lamps meant to stay up on the floor, illuminating from a higher position. They often have a weighty base to keep them stable on the ground. They come in various designs and technologies to suit various needs.
Floor lamps are also often used for working areas such as reading.
While it is okay to use traditional electric lamps in your home, a lot of people are opting for smart and automated lighting for ease and convenience. You can even pair it with electric window shades as part of your journey toward a smart home. These are part of the features that each house must have.
What Light is Most Energy Efficient?
LED light type is the most eco-friendly of all types of lighting. They save energy by limiting the energy they produce in heat form. Additionally, they are available for all types of light categories, are affordable, and are long-lasting.
LED light bulbs are available for under cabinet lighting, recessed downlights, and lamps, among others.
What Light is Easier to Install?
Floor lamps are the easiest kind of lights to install, and you can move them around when necessary compared to hardwired fixtures.
Ceiling-mounted designs can be challenging and labor intensive, often requiring a technician. Wall-mounted fixtures can be equally challenging, especially when installed as part of a home remodeling project.
The Cost Difference in Light Types
Halogens are some of the cheapest solutions, but in the long run, their high energy consumption makes them a bad choice economically. They are cheaper than CFL, costing half the price.
A halogen bulb costs approx. $3, while CFL goes for $6. LED bulbs are the most expensive, costing around $10. However, while CFL saves more energy than halogen bulbs, LED technology is the most cost-effective because it saves energy by 75% and lasts 25 times longer.
Final Words
Are you considering installing new lights for your home or facility? It is best to seek experts’ opinions to make the right choice. There are many forms of lighting and the one you choose will affect the aesthetics of your home and ease of living. Also, certain solutions might save you a lot of money on electricity bills.
And while you are it, why not look into making things automated in your home? You can consult Om Wave home automation experts in Miami, South Florida for other home products that can be automated.
Get in touch today.