How Much Light Do I Need?
Each and every person has a different opinion on how much light should be in a room, some people prefer more light then others and when we age we need more light. Also, for areas for working, such as the kitchen or office, more light is needed. This formula, therefore, is just a general rule of thumb and you as an individual can decide if more or less light is needed to cater for your own lighting needs:
Firstly, measure the size of the room in square metres (e.g. 4m x 3m = 12 sq meters) and multiply this by 25 for incandescent, 15 for halogen, or 19 for energy saving bulbs. This will give you the total wattage needed to light your room.
This formula is just a guide, it is always wise to over-estimate by 10-15% and put your fittings on a dimmer (although this cannot be done on most energy saving bulbs).
Kitchen Lighting:
The kitchen is a working area and thus needs much light, one thing that some people ignore though is the need for under-cabinet or under-shelf lighting, it is vital that light should be directed onto the work surface so you will not be working in your shadows. There are a couple of lighting options with regards to under-cupboard lighting, fluorescent tubes are still quite popular as they give off little heat, halogen is quite popular as it gives a nice, bright light, another good source of light is LED which is becoming all the more popular as it uses very little energy and gives off virtually no heat.
For the centre main light there are basically three popular choices:
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Halogen spotlights or track - As mentioned above halogen gives a warm light and plenty of bright light. With spotlights and track you have a lot of flexibility and the light can be directed to your desire.
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Fluorescent Tube - When people think of fluorescent tubes in the kitchen they often picture a bulky, plastic fitting which many find unattractive. Thankfully, though, many lighting manufacturers have created attractive, modern looking fittings. This has been helped by the introduction of the ultra-thin T5 tube, which can help to make nicer looking fittings. The advantage fluorescent tubes have over halogen is that they give a more rounded light, instead of giving ‘pools’ of light like halogen spotlights.
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Recessed Down lights - These fittings are getting ever more popular as they can be recessed in the ceiling. New technology has also enabled them to be fire-rated straight from the box as well. Before, to make a downlight fire-rated you needed to use a massive ‘firehood’ (basically a big blanket) but now using materials that expand under intense heat that seals the fixture and ceiling cut out to stop all heat, smoke and flames from spreading into your second story floor or loftspace. They are ultra compact and comply with Part-B, E, C, and Part-L UK Building Regulations.
Bathroom Lighting:
Bathroom Lighting should be practical but should also be stylish and safe.
As you can see in the illustration below there are numerous areas or ‘zones’ in the bathroom, these zones show where waterproof fittings need to go. A fitting that is protected is often called an IP rating, IP stands for ‘Ingress Protection’ and is always followed by two characters such as IP44 or IP65 for example.
This is not an installation guide and reference should be made to the IEE Wirings Regulations (16th Edition) or a qualified electrician.
The zones are split into four areas;
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Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower itself. Any fitting used in this zone must be low voltage, (max 12v) and be rated at least IP67 which is total immersion proof.
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Zone 1 is the area above the bath to a height of 2.25m from the floor. In this zone a minimum rating of IP44 is required. If the fitting is 240v a 30ma residual current device (RCD) must also be used to protect the circuit in this zone.
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Zone 2 is an area stretching 0.6m outside the perimeter of the bath and to a height of 2.25m from the floor. In this zone an IP rating of at least IP44 is required. In addition it is good practice to consider the area around a wash basin, within a 60cm radius of any tap to be
considered as zone 2.
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Zone 3 is anywhere outside zones 0,1 and 2 (subject to specific limits) and where no water jet is likely to be used. No IP rating is required. In addition to the above, if there is a likelihood of water jets being used for cleaning purpose in zones 1,2 and 3 a fitting rated a minimum IP65 must be used.
Full details can be found in the latest copy of the IEE wiring regulations.
Living Room Lighting:
It is important to remember that in the living room there are many functions that are done. Therefore it is important not to just have one main ceiling light in the centre. An adjustable reading light beside or behind your chair which can be switched whilst seated will prove invaluable, a simple free standing light with an adjustable arm or father/mother and child will give you the flexibility to read, sew or do anything that needs an intense light.
Two or three table lamps placed around the perimeter on tables, shelves or furniture will give the room a more spacious feeling as the light radiates inwards. These small pools of light also create interest, along with the attractiveness of the table lamp. Illuminating pictures or features such as a bookcase or cabinet will also make the room look more attractive, a simple picture light or spotlight will do the job in this instance.
Having dimmers also gives the flexibility of controlling the mood of your lighting, when watching TV the lights can be dimmed down or when you have guests round then the lights can be put to full power, the flexibility of dimming will prove invaluable.
Dining Room Lighting:
The main importance in this room is for the light over the dining table to be bright enough to see for tasks other then eating, however, when eating it might be wise to put the main light source on a dimmer to create mood lighting. If having a hanging pendant, remember not to hang a pendant so low that your diners have to peer round it, about 60cm above the table is about right. Many pendants can be adjusted to your taste at point of installation.
Bedroom Lighting:
Sadly, the bedroom sometimes gets forgotten as regards lighting. The bedroom is perfect for creating a warm mood with nice lighting, after all the bedroom is one of the rooms we spend most of our time in.
For bedtime reading it is wise to have either a table lamp or wall lights, or with a double room two tables lamps or individually switched spotlights. A mirror will give the room a bigger feel and will also be handy for putting on makeup and looking at our hair.
For the main centre light it is nice, if possible, to create a statement piece. This can be done by putting a chandelier up. For a convenient and practical source of light, a fan with lights will not only light up your room but also cool it, with our fans you also have the option of circulating warm air, meaning the fan will warm in winter and cool in summer.
