ODU Professor Sheds Light on...well...Lighting

Old Dominion University Electrical Engineering Professor Ike Flory spoke in Thursday's class about different types of lighting for Team Tidewater to consider for their house, Unit 6. In a presentation that he joked was 'illuminating,' Flory worked his way through a clear and concise PowerPoint that focused on the concept of green lighting.

While energy efficiency is a high priority, the team must also consider what lighting style--mainly color--will create the most aesthetic value. Aesthetics is also one of the ten categories on which Unit 6 will be judged in the Solar Decathlon.

Flory noted that people tend to associate the cool color of fluorescent lamps with industrial or working environments...causing unnecessary stress. Incandescent lamps, though less efficient, give off a warmer, yellow color that is found to be more relaxing. Simply put, he said good color rendering tends to give up on efficacy.

On this point, Flory brought up the idea of task lighting--lighting only necessary parts of a room such as a desk or reading area. As Americans, he said, we've been raised using well-lit rooms because electricity has been historically cheap.

An example of task lighting. This picture was used in Flory's presentation.

Though electricity is still cheap, it is becoming more and more important to minimize how much energy we use in our everyday lives.

Task lighting may be a strategy in which they'll keep in mind; however it's important for the team to first choose what lamps are used.

"Bottom line, what will get us more bang for our buck?" asked Team Tidewater Project Manager John Whitelaw.

Flory answered back "CFLs." Or, compact fluorescent lamps--energy efficient lamps that fit into most existing light fixtures. Though nothing was officially decided, it seemed that the team is considering CFLs for the time being.