The arguments for and against the GLS v CFL are well rehearsed so I do
not intend to reiterate them.
Like most things its what you do with it, there are a number of measureswhich can reduce the power used with just a little awareness andthought. I believe there is a place for incandescent sources however I also think there is a place for the CFL.
Run at 100% the GLS is indeed an inefficient beast however intelligentlyused with a dimmer and its a different story.
However, A CFL used as an indirect light source on top of a kitchen unit is oneway to provide a practical and pleasant level of general lighting in a kitchen. Fluorescents can be used successfully in many areas that do not require a particularly high visual quality and are ideal for areas where lighting is going to be on for long periods.
A low wattage CFL in a shielded table light is almost indistinguishable
from a GLS lamp. A ring main on a wall switch with all your lights and appliances that do not need to be on standby will probably save more power than changing to an efficient light source. Especially if this includes the TV. Chuck out the TV!
It seems likely that LED’s will supersede both sources and it holds
promise of a ultra long lamp life and extremely small replaceable parts if the LED generator is separately from the rest of the ‘lamp’, heat sink, collimator etc.
We need to look at the problem as a whole, banning the bulb is a blunt instrument. We need examples of how to save energy and improve the disposal problems, its up to us really.
Patrick Elsdale
Senior Lighting Specialist
Ove Arup and Partners International Limited
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
The arguments for and against the GLS v CFL are well rehearsed so I do not intend to reiterate them.
Like most things its what you do with it, there are a number of measureswhich can reduce the power used with just a little awareness andthought. I believe there is a place for incandescent sources however I also think there is a place for the CFL.
Run at 100% the GLS is indeed an inefficient beast however intelligentlyused with a dimmer and its a different story.
However, A CFL used as an indirect light source on top of a kitchen unit is oneway to provide a practical and pleasant level of general lighting in a kitchen. Fluorescents can be used successfully in many areas that do not require a particularly high visual quality and are ideal for areas where lighting is going to be on for long periods.
A low wattage CFL in a shielded table light is almost indistinguishable from a GLS lamp. A ring main on a wall switch with all your lights and appliances that do not need to be on standby will probably save more power than changing to an efficient light source. Especially if this includes the TV. Chuck out the TV!
It seems likely that LED’s will supersede both sources and it holds promise of a ultra long lamp life and extremely small replaceable parts if the LED generator is separately from the rest of the ‘lamp’, heat sink, collimator etc.
We need to look at the problem as a whole, banning the bulb is a blunt instrument. We need examples of how to save energy and improve the disposal problems, its up to us really.
Patrick Elsdale
Senior Lighting Specialist
Ove Arup and Partners International Limited
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
