Different Types of Lighting.

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Different Types of Lighting

While fluorescent lighting is the most common type of general purpose lighting found in commercial settings, a wide range of options are available.

Incandescent – Incandescent lamps have relatively short lives (typically 1000 to 2000 hours of use) and a re the least efficient of common light sources. In fact, only about 15 percent of the energy they use comes out as light – the rest becomes heat. However, they produce a pleasant color that is similar to natural sunlight. Incandescent lamps are the least expensive to buy but the most expensive to operate. Reduced-wattage incandescents produce about the same light output but consume less energy than standard bulbs.

Tungsten-halogen – Halogen lamps are a type of incandescent lamp that has become increasingly popular in recent years. They produce a whiter, more intense light than standard incandescents and are typically used for decorative, display or accent lighting. Halogen spotlights also have good focusing ability in small areas. They are about twice as efficient as regular incandescent lamps and last two to four times longer than most incandescent lamps.

Compact Fluorescent Lamps – Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are similar in operation to standard fluorescent lamps but are manufactured to produce colors similar to incandescent lamps. They are available in a range of types and sizes to meet most applications including downlighting, ambience, task and general space lighting. CFLs are about four times as efficient as incandescents and last up to 10 times longer. Lamp ballast combinations that replace incandescents in standard fixtures are substantially more expensive than their incandescent counterparts.

Tubular fluorescent fixtures – Tubular fluorescent lamps are one of the most common sources of commercial lighting and also are among the most efficient. The new generation of small diameter lamps (T-8 and T-10) is particularly efficient. It is important to understand that lamps and ballasts work as a system and the overall efficiency of a lighting fixture is dependent on the lamp/ballast combination. Traditional magnetic ballasts are less efficient than modern electronic ballasts. All ballasts are now required by the government to meet minimum efficiency standards. Fluorescent lamps last up to 20,000 hours of use.

High-intensity discharge (HID) – This category of high output light sources that includes mercury vapor, metal halide, high-pressure sodium and low-pressure sodium lighting. As with fluorescent lights, HID lights require a ballast for proper lamp operation. The efficiency of HID sources varies widely from mercury vapor ¡V with an efficiency almost as low as incandescent - to low-pressure sodium which is among the most efficient light sources. Color rendering varies widely from the bluish cast of mercury vapor lamps to the distinctly yellow light of low-pressure sodium.

Fluorescent Ballasts

Fluorescent ballasts are devices that control the starting and operation of fluorescent lamps. The lamps and ballast form a system and their overall performance is a function of the lamp/ballast combination. (Note: HID lamps also require a ballast for operation). Common types of fluorescent ballasts include:

Standard electromagnetic – The standard ballast for many years accounting for the majority of currently installed ballasts. As of 1992, standard efficiency ballasts for four-foot and eight-foot lamps are no longer available due to federal minimum efficiency standards.
Energy-saving electromagnetic– Energy-savings electromagnetic ballasts for four-foot and eight-foot lamps that are about 10 percent more efficient than the old standard electromagnetic ballasts. Electromagnetic ballasts must now meet federal minimum efficiency standards.
Fixed-output electronic– Fixed output electronic ballasts with standard lamps are about 20 percent more efficient than energy-saving electromagnetic ballasts, and electronic ballasts with new T8 lamps are about 30 percent more efficient. Early problems with electronic ballasts have been corrected and they are now the industry standard in most applications.
Multi-level output electronic– Multi-level electronic ballasts are able to be switched between different set levels of full light output such as off, 50 percent or 100 percent of full light output.
Adjustable output dimming electronic– These ballasts allow continuous adjustment over a range of about 10 percent to 100 percent of light output.

Annual Lighting Electricity Costs

Building Type	Annual Cost Per Square Foot
Large Office	$0.50
Small Office	$0.45
Large Retail	$0.60
Small Retail	$0.45
Sit-down Restaurant	$0.60
Quick Service Restaurant	$1.10
Large Grocery	$0.90
Small Grocery	$0.80
In-patient Healthcare	$0.70
Out-patient Healthcare	$0.45
Primary School	$0.35
Secondary School	$0.35
College/University	$0.40
Hotel Resort	$0.45