Lighting the Home for Comfort and Economy

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 48, 13 June 1930, Page 33

Lighting the Home for Comfort and Economy

XN This, the fourth of a series of five talks on modern home lighting, brings the . detailed descriptions to a _ conclusion. Our final article next week will briefly review the characteristics of the modern electrically-lit home, and will point out how this end can be attained. Readers, too, are reminded that the Better Lighting Competition closes next week.

|ORK and play are combined for the housewife whose home is efficiently lighted. Yet, how often is anything considered good enough in the way of lighting for the kitchen! Exactly \txeks! the opposite is really the case, for the bulk == of the work of a home is carried out there, and the importance of proper lighting cannot be overemphasised. There are still many kitchens depending for light on the all-too-common central drop fitting, with its clear lamp, and a conical shade its only protection. If it is sufficiently strong for efficient illumination, the discomfort of glare has to be tolerated. Again, with the object of allowing a certain amount of close work to be done, it is invariably hung too low. Conse-’ quently, since most kitchen work is done facing the wall-at the stove, table or sink-the worker is compelled to stand "in her own light." Shadows thrown on the stove or pastry board not only cause many culinary disasters, but are responsible for eye and nerve strain to the worker. An obscured lamp in a small deep opal shade, at a height of not less than 7{t. 6in. from the floor, is a great improvement. The ideal, however, for kitchen lighting is a fitting of diffusing glassware fixed to the ceiling itself. It should entirely enclose the lamp to render it dustproof. The light then will be comfortable, free from’ glare and dense, hard shadows. In addition, a‘light over the range is a positive necessity. Only those who have had to cook on a range upon which no light is thrown, know how trying to nerves and temper such a task can be. This light can take the form of a suspended one immediately over the range, or, preferably, a lamp in a curved bracket, with a reflector arranged so, that practically the whole of the light is directed on to

the range. A bracket fixed over the sink is also a desirable addition, enab- _ ling washing-up and the preparation of vegetables to be accomplished with maximum speed and minimum irritation. In short, the ideal to be aimed at, for kitchen as for other apartments, is for light to be available wherever it is wanted, without ‘glare from any particular lamp. At very little cost, either for installation or maintenance, lamps of comparatively low but sufficient power can be attached to the inside of pantry, larder, refrigerator and other doors. They should be arranged so that the light is automatically switched on and off by the opening and closing of the

door. This is an untold con- \ venience in itself, eliminating the necessity. for groping around in semi-darkness for dishes, viands, etc., with the aid of torch or candle.

(CONSIDERABLE difference of opinion exists as to the amount of lighting necessary for a staircase. In fact, some people are sq parsimonious in this respect that they seem to consider any lighting of passages and stairways a form of extravagance. Surely, this is lamentable, both from the point of comfort and of prevention of accidents. A soft, but well-lighted straircase carries on the welcoming impression gained by a suitably-lighted hall, and, to be perfect, the fittings should be: in keeping. That is to say, if the hall fitting is of the Old English wrought iron lantern type, staircase fittings should be of similar design, either less pretentious lanterns or bracket fittings of ‘harmonising design. Where the hall lighting is of the enclosed bowl type, it should be repeated on upper landings and stairways to achieve the best results. In any case, bare lights should not be visible. The reduction of expense in lighting staircases and passages can be facilitated in two ways. One is by the employment of two-way switches. It is probably the better where it is not necessary to keep a ‘light burning continuously. These switches enable a light to be turned on at an upper landing or along a corridor before reaching it, and to be switched off after it has been passed. The second method is by the employment of the useful dim-a-lamps or duolights, which enable the dimmest of lights to be. kept burning, and increased at will, by the manipulation

of an attached chain. Either system is recommended as making for light, when and where required, without extravagance. IN conclusion, it may seem unnecessary to remark that any lighting system, to give continuously good service, requires maintenance and attention. All’ incandescent lamps, however, it should be pointed out, with use, deposit filament material upon the inside of the glass bulb, and the output of light becomes gradually reduced. Consequently, it is false economy to burn a lamp until the light actually becomes extinct. Without rigidly adopting the manufacturers’ recommendation -Concluded on page 40.

Improved methods of. Lighting the KITCHEN, PASSAGES and STAIRCASES

Lighting the Home (Continued from" page 83.) to. replace .lamps:~ after a thousand — hours’ burning, any. lamp that is giving reduced light as the filament gradually becomes burnt out, should be replaced. And this for economy’s sake, since more current is required, in proportion, to render incandescent a filament that is begin ning to fail. Dust and dirt, variable in different localities and under différent working conditions, if allowed to accumulate, cause material loss of light. Darkening of ceilings and walls also reduces the amount of reflected light with any system, but where indirect or semidirect lighting is in use it is a vital factor. Lamps, reflectors and globes should be cleaned at regular intervals, depending upon the rate of deposit of dust and dirt. It is surprising how easy it is to overlook them, when "turn-ing-out" a room by daylight. Ceilings and walls should be washed or redecorated when they have become soiled.