■ BY RANDALL WHITEHEAD
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alk about energy-efficient lighting these days, and there are two technologies that are sure to dominate the discussion: fluorescents (usually compact fluorescents) and light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. As a lighting designer in California—where energy regulations are the strictest in the nation—I have a lot of these conversations. And I can tell you that rather than getting turned on by these newer, watt-saving technologies, most people are immediately turned off.
Why? Because most people have already had a lifetime of bad experiences with flickering, buzzing fluorescents and know little about LEDs, except that they’ve become ubiquitous as strings of the latest must-have holiday lights.
It’s not that these new light sources aren’t as good—or better—than the incandescent bulbs they’re designed to replace. But here is a classic example of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole (or in lighting terms, a pin
connector into a screw-in socket). We keep expecting these new lighting technologies to act (and cost) the same as the old ones. The problem is that they don’t.
A prime example is the typical screw-in compact fluorescent lamps ("lamp" is the industry term for "bulb") offered at big-box stores. Technology-wise, they are the worst examples of what’s currently available. But marketers wanted to provide a CFL at roughly the same price as an incandescent lamp. What you end up with is a cheaply made bulb that can buzz, produce an off-color light, and is not dimmable. So what happens? CFLs in particular, and energy — efficient lighting in general, gets a bum rap. The fact is that many manufacturers (see "Bulb Sources," p. 154) are making efficient lamps that perform well. Yes, they do cost more up front, but in the long run, they offer greater energy savings and let you be earth friendly and design savvy at the same time.
Evocative and efficient. In the
author’s living room, a collection of photographs is uplit with LED festoon lamps from phantom™ lighting. Ambient light is provided by recessed fixtures from lucifer® lighting that are outfitted with Led MR16s from Focus lighting®.
It’s my job to practice what I preach.
My house is filled to the brim with energy — efficient light sources. In fact, the only two incandescent lamps I own are in my refrigerator and oven. Other than that, it is all high-efficacy all the time. Is it warm and inviting? Absolutely. You don’t have to change every lamp in your house, as I did. Start slowly. Maybe put A-lamp shaped CCFLs (cold-cathode compact fluorescent lights) in your exterior lanterns and CFLs in the basement and the attic. Try using daylight — colored CFLs in your closets for better color matching for articles of clothing. Every little bit helps—but it helps the most when each of these different light sources is used to its best advantage.
