The kitchen is more than a place for you to eat and cook but can also serve as an administrative and social center of the house as well. Since it is one of the most used portions of the house, opening from dawn and closing after sunset, it requires a huge amount of energy for lighting. This fact makes the kitchen a crucial place in your house that needs efficient lighting. Remodeling or building a new kitchen provides you an excellent opportunity to properly place your lamps and generate an efficient system for lighting.
Although incandescent lights are mostly used in kitchens, fluorescent lights, on the other hand, are very efficient when it comes to lighting. Presently, fluorescent lamps are the most competent source of light suitable for residential use. In fact, full-sized fluorescent lamps, also known as tubes, can convert electricity to light with four times more efficiency than the usual incandescent lamps.
Where to Place Your Lights
In properly placing your fluorescent lamps, you must remember that lighting the kitchen normally constitute three layers: general, accent and task lighting. General lighting is for the overall illumination of your kitchen. The accent lighting can add visual interest, dramatic effect and serves as the décor in your kitchen. On the other hand, the task lighting is important since it helps you in performing kitchen tasks.
The lighting you need for your kitchen greatly varies on the complexity and size of your kitchen. For instance, a small kitchen might only require a central 2×4 fluorescent fixture and some under the cabinets. However, a larger kitchen will require lighting over the sink, recessed fixtures, and Kitchen Island, pantry and breakfast table.
There are several considerations that you should take into account. If your kitchen opens into the dining or living area, your lighting must have the capability to integrate with the adjacent rooms. More so, the color of your kitchen’s counter top surfaces requires sufficient lighting, especially if they are dark like marble.
For general lighting of your kitchen, it is advisable to have an illumination that is about 20-35 foot-candles. Additionally, using proper general lighting on your kitchen allows you to look clearly into drawers and cabinets, see properly when cleaning.
Advantages of Fluorescent Lighting
The fluorescent lights can provide you with several benefits. For starters, it is one of the best energy saving options for the lighting of your kitchen since this area require ample amount of light everyday. By using fluorescent lamps, you are provided with flexibility in creating adjustments even after installation. Additionally, most of the fluorescent lamps available can be rotated for up to 180 degrees, which makes them highly versatile.
Fluorescent lights are also geared with start electronic ballasts. These equipments aid in the prevention of flickering from taking place. Installation of fluorescent lamps is also not that difficult. Even if you have a number of lights that need to be installed, the task can be absolutely easy and hassle-free, since different lamps can be connected with each other through the use of flexible connectors.
By using fluorescent lamps, you are not only helping your family when they do anything inside the kitchen but the environment as well. Aside from being among the most preferred lighting and highly energy efficient, fluorescent lights are also environment-friendly.
