Category: lamp

Light fixtures equipped with a fluorescent lamp are becoming more popular as a means of reducing energy costs as well as time and expense of changing light bulbs. They not only use less power to use, they generally last considerably longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs.

While the term fluorescent lamp may technically be a misnomer, it is used due to the inside fluorescent coating in the bulb which converts the ultraviolet light created by the bulb into visible light. Depending on the color and makeup of the fluorescent coating, the bulb may emit different colors and have different uses.

The bulb itself is generally filled with gas, argon or neon, and uses mercury vapor excited by electricity to produce the ultraviolet light. This light is what then causes the phosphorous coating to produce the visible light. A fluorescent lamp also requires a stabilized electrical source and typically uses what is called a ballast to achieve this. Initially made commercially available in the 1920 s, the fluorescent lamp is now used in a wide variety of applications.

Significant Savings Improves Popularity

While residential use of fluorescent lamp fixtures remains limited, commercial use continues to enjoy significant energy savings due to their use. Being able to achieve a level of lighting at least the same, if not more, than incandescent lighting with a 20 to 30 percent energy savings has businesses, schools and other commercial applications hooked on using fluorescent lamps. Their longer life, which also reduces the frequency of changing bulbs, also contributes to the savings.

However, there are some qualities of a fluorescent lamp that poses concerns in that they use mercury, which has been shown to cause health issues in pregnant women, infants and children. Many areas require special disposal methods for fluorescent lamps and in the even of a broken bulb, the white powder used as the fluorescence usually contains trace mercury, especially in older bulbs. These require special clean up techniques to help contain the mercury in the bulbs as well as that which has settled into the powder.

Most landfills treat commercial and residential waste differently, especially where fluorescent lamp bulbs are concerned. Many commercial users typically repackage their used bulbs and send them to a special facility for proper clean up and disposal. Broken glass and powder is usually cleaned up using a wet rag as opposed to a vacuum cleaner, which helps prevent the spread of the powder containing mercury.

When you re setting up a room, or redecorating one, you should give some thought as to where the lamps will do the most good. However, sometimes a lamp will do great in one area but you need the surface area of a table for something else. What should you do? The answer is simple. All you have to do is go out and get some floor lamps. Floor lamps, just like the name implies, sit on the floor so that you have your table and counter space open for other things, such as knick knacks, picture frames or even coasters. Floor lamps come in all shapes and sizes so you re bound to be able to find a lamp that suits your tastes.

Location Is Key

The first thing you should decide when buying floor lamps is where you want the light projected. For instance, if the light is going to be in one corner but is going to be used to light up the entire room, you might want to go with a tall lamp. A tall floor lamp will illuminate the entire room but only sits in one corner, out of the way for other things, such as furniture.

Smaller Lamps

Smaller floor lamps can be used for back lighting or even as night lights. Smaller floor lamps are great because they re not in the way, they re not visible usually but they also don t put out as much light as the taller versions. For this reason, smaller floor lamps should only be placed close to wherever you ll be doing whatever it is you think you ll be doing while sitting by your lamp.

Freeing up your counter space is important, just as having enough light in your room is important. Get the floor lamps you need and no longer worry about what to do with all those miscellaneous things that you would rather have sitting on your tables.

Home Improvement Stores

To find floor lamps, simply visit your local home improvement store or search the internet. You can find floor lamps in any style, shape, size and color imaginable. They really do make a room and you ll love how much extra room you ll have. Go out and get some lamps today and start redecorating that home or office today. The only thing you ll have to decide is how many lamps you think you ll need.