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G R E AT E R N A S H V I L L E H O U S E & H O M E & G A R D E N ™ 48 o n the amount of light you need based on actvites in the space, the color temperature of the light desired, and the o verall cost. Amount of Light: A Lumen is the measure- ment of the amount of light you get from the bulb. You may want to vary the amount of lumens in different spaces in your home. For example, a kitchen prep area will need more direct lightng than a hallway, and a reading lamp will need a bulb with more lumens than a ceiling mounted fixture that simple pro- vides general lightng. Here is a guide that illustrates the lumens equivalent to the watage traditonally used. Color of Light: Kelvin is a measurement of color of the light source. It can range from a warm 2700K to the cool 6500K. Al- though using a higher Kelvin light bulb may be good for reading, it can also make the space feel cold and insttu- tonalized. We recommends 2700K for residental spaces to achieve the warm feeling of a traditonal incandescent light. Cost: The purchase price of bulbs range from incandescents (as the most afford- able) to fluorescents and then to LEDs. Operatng costs for these bulbs are estmated at: incandescent bulbs—$328.59/year; compact fluorescent bulbs—$76.65/year, and LED bulbs—$32.85 year. When you consider the life of the bulb and the energy saved by using the more efficient bulbs, you may find LEDs to be best value overall. Lightng can be a confusing topic, but armed with these simple facts, you will have a well-lit, functonal, and beautful home in no tme. ◆ —By Snezhanna Chernish Editor's Note: Snezhanna Chernish is a recent interior design graduate of the Univeristy of Tennessee of Chatanooga. She is cur- rently working as an intern at Beth Haley Design. Beth Haley De- sign, an urban interior design firm, focuses on remodeling and revitalizing established homes, as well as creatng stmulatng, functonal, sustainable spaces in new homes. E-mail your ques- tons to her at ngregg@ngregg.com or visit www.bethhaleydesign.com. The Great Light Bulb Debate Are you overwhelmed when selectng something as simple as a light bulb? In the past, selectng a light bulb was only a mater of knowing that watage you needed. With the new energy efficiency laws, the latest terminology, and the batle of LEDs vs CFL vs in- candescents, selectng the best lightng for your home can be a challenge. What exactly do you need to know when you're in the bulb aisle at your hardware store? Here are some light bulb basics to get you started. Halogen Incandescents: These bulbs look like traditonal incandescent bulbs, are dimma- ble, and come in a variety of sizes and colors. They meet the federal standards for energy efficiency yet provide a warm glow similar to traditonal incandescents. These bulbs are inexpensive to purchase and are thought to have a life sim- ilar to the traditonal incandescent bulb. Although not as energy effi- cient as some of the other choices, these bulbs are said to be 28% more efficient than tradi- tonal incandescent bulbs. Unfortunately, these bulbs cannot be recycled since they contain halogen gas. Compact Fluorescent Lights: Compact fluorescent bulbs are simply a compact version of the long tube fluorescent lights we have seen in offices for years. CFLs are dimmable and avail- able in a range of light colors, including warm tones that were not available when they were first introduced; however, some con- sumers complain at the slow rate at which these bulbs turn on. These bulbs use about 25 percent less energy and last 10 tmes longer than a comparable traditonal incandescent bulb. Also, it should be noted that CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, a health hazard, and should be recycled properly at the end of their lifespan. Light Emitng Diode: LED bulbs are one of the most energy-efficient choices using only 75 percent of the energy and last up to 25 tmes longer than traditonal incandescent bulbs. This choice is dimmable, has a wide range of colors, and can be recycled, but has the drawback of supplying only a directonal light and not a diffused light. Once you choose the type of bulb you want, you should focus green interiors 48 WATTS LUMENS 40 450 60 800 75 1,100 100 1,600 150 2,600