Lighting Tips and FAQs
How much light do I need?
- As we get older, we do require more light. At age 50, we need twice
as much light to see well as we did at age 20, and we are more
sensitive to glare.
- Good lighting can help by increasing contrast on adjacent surfaces to “clarify” the space.
- The quantity of light you need depends on the nature of the task — how easy it is to see — and the age of the person performing it.
- The quality of the task lighting is also important.
California's 2005 Title 24 changes for new construction and remodels.
- Title 24 requires high efficacy luminaries, occupancy sensors, and/or
dimmers in most spaces:
- Kichens:
- At least 50% of the total wattage of kitchen lighting must be from high efficacy luminaries. Non-high efficacy luminaries must be switched separately from high efficacy luminaries.
- Bathrooms, utility rooms, garages, and laundry rooms:
- High efficacy lighting or manual-on occupancy sensors required.
- Exterior or attached to building:
- High efficacy luminaries or combined photo sensors/motion sensors required.
- All other interior spaces:
- High efficacy luminaries, occupancy sensors OR dimmers required.
- Recessed lighting:
- When installed in insulated ceilings, must be both Type IC and AT rated.
- Electronic ballasts:
- Electronic ballasts are required for all fluorescent luminaries 13 watts or greater.
Are there guidelines for selecting chandeliers?
- Yes, they are dependent on the room and application.
- Dining room chandeliers should be proportioned to the room and the
table size. The diameter should be approximately the width or
diameter of the table less 12 inches. This is because people may
hit their heads when rising from the table
- In ceilings of 10 feet or greater, multi-tiered chandeliers can be elegant and dramatic.
- The chandelier should be 30-36 inches above the table (add 3 inches per foot of ceiling height above 8 feet).
- Remember these are just guidelines and there are always exceptions to the rule.
What is an ADA wall fixture?
ADA wall fixtures are wall mounted fixtures that extend no more than 4 inches from the wall to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA compliant fixtures must be used in public circulation areas of commercial and institutional buildings when mounted below 80 inches from the floor.
Bathroom lighting.
- Unless the bath area is large, light the functional areas first, then fill in with additional general lighting as needed.
- At the mirror, diffused light should come from above and from both sides.
- Sconces should be minimum of 28 inches or maximum of 42 inches apart and centered 60 inches above the floor.
- Over the top of the mirror fixtures should be mounted 78 inches above the floor and a minimum of 24 inches wide.
What are the benefits of landscape lighting?
- Shows the beauty of the surrounding property, landscaping, and architectural features of your home.
- Provides functional lighting for outdoor areas such as patios, decks, gazebos, etc.
- Adds security and safety by lighting up pathways and steps.
What is a task lamp?
Task lamps direct light onto a relatively small area. Task lighting can be portable or hard wired.
What are the benefits of ceiling fans?
- Summer cooling — they can lower the room temperature as much as 8 degrees through the wind chill effect.
- Winter heating — when the fan is reversed it creates a gentle updraft. By pushing the warm air down, the temperature at the floor can be increased as much as 15 degrees.
- Energy savings — less need for air conditioning or heating.
What size fan should I use in my room?
| Area of room (square feet) | Example rooms | Fan diameter (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| <100 | Small kitchen, bedroom | 42 |
| 100–225 | Kitchen, larger bedroom | 52 |
| 225–400 | Living room, family room | 56+ or two 52s |
| 400+ | Large, open rooms | Use multiple fans |
What direction should my fan rotate in the winter and summer?
- Summer:
- Forward (i.e., counter-clockwise). This pushes air down to create a draft and cool the room.
- Winter:
- Reverse (i.e., clockwise). This pushes the hot air from heating vents downward.
How high should my fan be from the floor?
- Minimum of 7 feet from the floor to the blades.
- For higher ceilings, usually 8 to 12 feet from the floor. There are exceptions to this rule.
Are there fans made for outdoor use?
- Ceilings fans that can be used outdoors are damp or wet rated.
- The damp rated fans are made for damp conditions; they are not made for direct contact with water.
- The wet rated fans are made for wet conditions and can come in direct contact with water.
What types of functional and decorative low voltage systems are available?
- The most common low voltage lighting systems for interior residential use are a cable system or a rail system. There are many different styles available. When selecting a system it is important to first determine the function of the system, and then select the decorative fixtures to achieve the function you are looking for.
- When ordering these systems, you should contact Lofings Lighting sales staff for more detailed information.
- Systems are 12 volt or 24 volt! Do NOT mix voltages! There are benefits to both systems.
What are the benefits of dimming controls?
- Flexibility — you can adjust for different occasions, different activities, and different occupants.
- Enhanced aesthetics.
- Convenience and security.
- Cost savings and lamp life:
| Percent dimmed | Extension to bulb's life |
|---|---|
| 10% | 2× |
| 20% | 4× |
| 40% | 20× |
| 60% | over 20× |
How many lights can I put on a low voltage lighting system?
The number of lights you can put on the system is restricted by the transformer capacity and the number of circuits you have on the system.
How do I choose the right dimmer?
- Determine the load — the type of lighting and total wattage.
- Are you installing the dimmer in a switch box with more than one switch? This is called ganging. If you are ganging the switches together, you need to follow manufacturer's instructions regarding lowering the maximum wattage capacity of the dimmer.
- Determine the style and finish of the dimmer you require.
What type of information is needed when determining recessed lighting?
- Do any code requirements in your area restrict your options on recessed lighting?
- How deep is the ceiling plenum depth?
- Is your ceiling insulated?
- What is your ceiling height?
- What is the shape of your ceiling? Flat, sloped or arched?
- What is your room layout?
What is Dark Sky?
- The International Dark-Skies
Association (IDA) defines light pollution as
any adverse effect of man-made light including sky glow, glare, light trespass, light clutter, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste.
- Some areas have local ordinances that require Dark Sky exterior fixtures.
What is ENERGY STAR?
- ENERGY STAR is a label identifying energy-efficient products, such as light fixtures and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
- ENERGY STAR products are third-party verified to meet energy efficiency and such other performance criteria as light output, life, operating characteristics, and reliability.
