Light temperature is not about heat
Because Kelvin degrees do not use the little degree symbol (°) like we do with 0° C and 32° F, people sometimes get confused. In science, Kelvin is usually used to measure temperature, but when we use it to measure the color of light, it is not the temperature of the lightbulb itself, but how hot something would have to be to make it glow that color by heat alone.
It is an extremely accurate measurement system which astronomers use to measure the color of stars. If lightbulbs were actually that hot, no house would ever need to have a furnace to keep it warm—just turn on a lamp!
Your degree of Choice
Traditional indoor lighting, from incandescent bulbs, has always run in the range of around 2500—3000 Kelvin (K). When we still used candles and gaslight exclusively, we lived in a much more “orange” world with lighting in the 1900K range.
After the lightbulb was invented in the latter part of the 1800s we started to prefer the more yellowish light. Even after the stark white fluorescent tube was invented (and was adopted by many businesses because it provided more light for less money), at home we still preferred the warmer, friendlier color of the incandescent bulb. That continues to this very day.
Anything is possible with LEDs
With LEDs it is now simple to recreate any part of the visible light spectrum, and even beyond into the ultraviolet or the infrared. Perhaps in your laundry room you would prefer a light at 5700 K, so you know what your clothes will look like in regular daylight.
On the other hand, in the dining room, you might prefer a bulb in the 4000 K range, to complement the light provided by any windows, with additional “cove” accessory lighting in the ceiling for a more intimate feeling when the situation arises.
We know what works!
LED lamps are durable, work well, and their color can be chosen or manipulated to make your house look like a home, instead of an office or retail store; we are able to create and maintain that warm residential look.
Incandescent light bulbs are only 4% efficient at making light, wasting 96% of the electricity they draw. LEDs convert 50% of the much smaller amount of electricity they use to create light, or 12½ times better! There is no competitor for them.
Color Rendering Index
The Color Rendering Index is used to tell us if a light source is reproducing light accurately. Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL) uses a combination of phosphors inside to create red, green, and blue light in a proportion to match the overall color that they desire. When you pass its light through a prism, the problem becomes apparent. The LED Spectrum is continuous with no missing colors, but the CFL spectrum has several missing components, which is why it can make your home look ghastly.
The Takeaway
It requires a combination of experience, knowledge, and skill to build a perfect lighting solution. Don’t sabotage your project by dealing with a fly-by-night outfit that is more anxious to get you to sign a check than to solve your problems.
We’re in this industry for the long haul. Our customers love us, and they will all volunteer recommendations about our quality, service, and dedication. We won’t trample on your rose beds, or leave a mess behind when we’re done. So let’s show all your friends, neighbors, or customers what happens when everything is done exactly right the first time. Give us a call and let’s work together!
We at Illuminations Lighting Design are thrilled to be located in beautiful Houston, Texas, and while we provide service over quite a wide area, we always love to hear from River Oaks, Memorial, West University, Bellaire, Southside, Heights, and Royal Oaks, or whichever part of town you call home…
Don’t be a stranger—give us a ring at 713-863-1133 and say “Howdy!” We would love to hear from you and get you started on the path to more economical lighting, a beautiful design, and a reduced environmental impact!
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