| There are many different varieties of Lighting
fixtures a retailer can use in a store. Simply changing the type of light bulb in your
current fixture can make a large difference. The lighting industry is constantly changing
and introducing new variations of light bulbs to the market. Visit your local lighting
store to discover the selection of bulbs available. Quartz halogen bulbs and compact
fluorescent bulbs have recently made dramatic additions to the market with their
technologically advanced color renditions. Here are a few lighting choices to consider and
an explanation of the applications they are most suited for: General lighting...
...illuminates both the merchandise and the traffic path in a store. It is usually not
flexible.
Accent lighting...
...can accentuate merchandise and is usually designed for adjustability. Most accent
lighting is placed to highlight focal displays, or other areas of prime real estate.
Task lighting...
...is used in work areas, such as under the counter of the cash wrap or in a stock room.
This lighting is usually fluorescent and should not create shadows.
Basic types of
Lighting fixtures follow:
- Track mounted onto
ceiling or walls
Best used for: highlighting focal displays
(not recommended for task lighting)
Cost: moderately expensive
Best bulbs to use: quartz-halogen, incandescent bulbs
- Recessed ceiling
mounted also called "high-hat" Best used for: lighting pinpoint focal
displays while concealing the light source.
Cost: expensive
Best bulbs to use: quartz-halogen, incandescent, compact fluorescent
- Wall mounted sconce
or other decorative fixture
Best used for: illuminating something just below the fixture
Cost: moderately expensive
Best bulbs to use: quartz-halogen, incandescent, compact fluorescent
- Exterior ceiling
mounted.
This covers a variety of fixtures good for general illumination - used with all types of
bulbs depending on the fixture.
Basic types of light
bulbs include:
- Fluorescent
Best used for: task lighting
Cost: economical overall
Longevity: excellent
- Compact fluorescent
Best used for: general illumination
Cost: expensive initial cost, very economical to operate
Longevity: excellent
- Incandescent lights
Best used for: ambient illumination
Cost: mid-range initial cost, expensive to operate Longevity: medium
- High Intensity
Definition "HID"
Best used for: warehouse situations
Cost: expensive initial cost, mid-range to operate Longevity: good
- Quartz Halogen
Best used for: accent lighting, particularly on jewelry, easy to focus
Cost: expensive initial cost, expensive to operate Longevity: short
Tips for lighting:
- Check with your building to
find out if it has an economizing "electrical crunch unit." This unit, available
on most commercial buildings, is placed on the building by the electric company, and
controls the amperage of the electricity to your electrical zone. This affords you a
better opportunity to control cost.
- Some electric companies offer
free or nominal services to visit your location and discuss cost cutting efforts. It will
help if you have a lighting blueprint and fixture plan for the meeting.
|
There are
many different varieties
of Lighting fixtures a retailer can use in a store. Simply changing the type of light bulb
in your current fixture can make a large difference. The lighting industry is constantly
changing and introducing new variations of light bulbs to the market. Visit your local
lighting store to discover the selection of bulbs available. Quartz halogen bulbs and
compact fluorescent bulbs have recently made dramatic additions to the market with their
technologically advanced color renditions. Here are a few lighting choices to consider and
an explanation of the applications they are most suited for:
General lighting...
...illuminates both the merchandise and the traffic path in a store. It is usually not
flexible.
Accent lighting...
...can accentuate merchandise and is usually designed for adjustability. Most accent
lighting is placed to highlight focal displays, or other areas of prime real estate.
Task lighting...
...is used in work areas, such as under the counter of the cash wrap or in a stock room.
This lighting is usually fluorescent and should not create shadows.
Basic types of
Lighting fixtures follow:
- Track mounted onto
ceiling or walls
Best used for: highlighting focal displays
(not recommended for task lighting)
Cost: moderately expensive
Best bulbs to use: quartz-halogen, incandescent bulbs
- Recessed ceiling
mounted also called "high-hat" Best used for: lighting pinpoint focal
displays while concealing the light source.
Cost: expensive
Best bulbs to use: quartz-halogen, incandescent, compact fluorescent
- Wall mounted sconce
or other decorative fixture
Best used for: illuminating something just below the fixture
Cost: moderately expensive
Best bulbs to use: quartz-halogen, incandescent, compact fluorescent
- Exterior ceiling
mounted.
This covers a variety of fixtures good for general illumination - used with all types of
bulbs depending on the fixture.
Basic types of light
bulbs include:
- Fluorescent
Best used for: task lighting
Cost: economical overall
Longevity: excellent
- Compact fluorescent
Best used for: general illumination
Cost: expensive initial cost, very economical to operate
Longevity: excellent
- Incandescent lights
Best used for: ambient illumination
Cost: mid-range initial cost, expensive to operate Longevity: medium
- High Intensity
Definition "HID"
Best used for: warehouse situations
Cost: expensive initial cost, mid-range to operate Longevity: good
- Quartz Halogen
Best used for: accent lighting, particularly on jewelry, easy to focus
Cost: expensive initial cost, expensive to operate Longevity: short
Tips for lighting:
- Check with your building to
find out if it has an economizing "electrical crunch unit." This unit, available
on most commercial buildings, is placed on the building by the electric company, and
controls the amperage of the electricity to your electrical zone. This affords you a
better opportunity to control cost.
- Some electric companies offer
free or nominal services to visit your location and discuss cost cutting efforts. It will
help if you have a lighting blueprint and fixture plan for the meeting.
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