TINY OFF-GRID HOUSE LED LIGHTS
Photo courtesy of iStock
The research on light emitting diodes (LEDs) use in a Tiny Off-Grid House is not intended to create a comparison between LEDs and incandescent light bulbs since the inefficiency of the latter is so vividly clear that in some countries like Brazil and Venezuela in 2005, Australia and the European Union in 2009 and the United States on 8/1/2023, the sale and production of incandescent light bulbs are prohibited—by proxy. In the U.S., federal regulation requires lightbulbs to meet or exceed > 45 lumens per watt. Although not the intended targets of this federal regulation, most, if not all, halogen and incandescent lightbulbs (< 15 lumens per watt) fail to meet this level of efficiency. Therefore, any debate of which type of light bulb is more efficient than the other is mute. Inaddition, most states banned the use of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) because they contain toxic mercury. Mercury can become aerosol at room temperature and direct exposure can be absorbed through the largest organ of the human body, the skin. Any further mention of incandescent light bulbs is intended for clarification, without bias, to show how much indoor light technology has progressed since the days of candle light. LED off-grid energy consumption, utility, aesthetics and impact to health; if any, will be the focus of this discussion.
HOW LED WORK
When a semi conductor in the LED is energized, the two sides of the semi conductor (N - layer & P + layer) release photons creating light. This process is called electroluminescence. The photons travel in osculating wave patterns. Depending on the material the semi conductor is made of influences the length of the wave which determines the light color. The color of the LED case does not determine the light color. For example, the LED color violet has a 400 to 500 mm wavelength and contains the material Indium Gallium Nitride (InGaN).
It is worth mentioning for clarity, the light emitted by an incandescent light bulb (Thomas Edison bulb) is measured in wattage which is a unit of energy measurement for the quantitative amount of unintended thermal energy discharged by the lightbulb in a band of invisible infrared light we sense as heat. In contrast, LEDs do not require a tungsten filament to combust. That’s one reason why LEDs have a very low thermal signature so a more specific unit of—non thermal—measurement is used to measure the qualitative visible part of the light spectrum emitted as “Lumens” of brightness & color. For example, a 800 Lumens LED light bulb will emit 800 Lumens of illumination. LED manufacturers do caution LEDs are “Not for use in recessed ceiling cans or totally enclosed fixtures.” An enclosed light fixture can diminish the life expectancy of a LED due to the lack of air circulation causing retention of heat. LEDs do not fail suddenly like incandescent light bulbs but gradually fail at their end of life exhibited by initial signs of dimming or flickering.
LED’s are energy efficient, using 1/10th the electricity that incandescent bulbs use; while 95% of the energy in LEDs is converted in to light and only 5% is wasted as heat. The efficiency of the LED lighting system is anticipated to impose less of a burden on the off-grid lithium battery bank.
Since the electricity generated by the “Tiny Off-Grid House” will be from 100% carbon free renewable sources: primarily solar, supplemented by a wind turbine and hydroelectric, there are no embedded carbon energy sources to mitigate the clean energy efficiency of the LED energy consumption. The low energy consumption of LEDs does not warrant the need for concessions of comfort, security or performance while using off-grid renewable energy.
The light emitted by LEDs are omni directional with their intensity controled by C.L. Dimmers. LED designs have become so sophisticated that they can mimic the style of old fashioned ornamental incandescent lights.
LED light strips operate on the same principle as LED light bulbs with the exception that a separate transformer adapter is required to transform the high voltage electrical energy to a lower direct current (DC). During installation the LED strips can be conveniently cut with a scissor at a specified joint on the strip.
TINY OFF-GRID HOUSE LIGHTS
The Tiny Off-Grid House is designed to primarily take advantage of natural sunlight whenever available. When necessary, artificial lights provided by slim recessed LED ceiling light fixtures, not to be confused with Can lights, will be used along with lights strips in designated areas to provide energy efficient general (Ambient) and task lighting; respectively. The type of lighting used will depend on their location and task.
Each slim recessed LED light is accompanied by a junction box, aka J-Box, which contains the electrical black (Hot), white (Neutral) and green (Ground) wires that are spliced on to the tiny house lighting circuits.
The LED light fixture is held in place on the ceiling with two spring loaded clips that clamp on to the opposite side of the wall. The slim recessed LEDs blend in seamlessly in to the ceiling; with no dangling light fixtures that would impose on head space, especially in the sleeping lofts.
When a slim recessed LED light fixture is no longer operational an Electrician is required to replace the light assembly while the junction box remains in the ceiling. The electronic components and Aluminum body of the LED can be recycled. Considering the average slim recessed LED light fixture is rated for approximately 50,000 hours or 45 years based on 3 hours daily usage the frequency of replacement would be far between. To give a sense of scale, the life span of LEDs far exceed incandescent light bulbs by more than 75%.
The ceiling of the Tiny Off-Grid House will be insulated with expansion closed cell foam. Any type of light fixture sharing an area with insulation must be Insulation Contact (IC) rated. Non IC rated light fixtures installed in proximity to insulation are a fire hazard.
Recessed insulation caps (aka light caps) are recommended to shield the light fixture from the insulation; regardless if the light fixture is IC rated. The expanding closed spray foam insulation can penetrate the crevices of the recessed lighting if not shielded; even rock wool insulation fibers can also penetrate the gaps in the recessed light fixture. Therefore, even if the recessed light fixture is IC rated it is recommended to use an insulation cap to keep a minimum of 3 inches away from all sides of the recessed light fixture—For Wafer light fixtures this includes both the LED fixture and electrical box assembly.
FACTS, NOT A CONSPIRACY THEORY
Between 1925 & 1939 the “Phoebus Cartel”, whose membership included General Electric, Philips, Osram, Associated Electrical Industries and other light bulb manufacturing corporations, engineered “planned obsolescence” in to the design of their disposable products for a limited lifespan of only 1000 hours. Despite technology existing at the time to manufacture longer lasting light bulbs members were “penalized” by the Mafia like syndicate if they broke the rules and manufactured any unsanctioned light bulbs with an operational lifespan exceeding 1000 hours.
Photo courtesy of Westinghouse Lighting
LED TASK LIGHTING
LED task lighting focus light to illuminate specific areas where detailed activities, like cooking or reading, are performed. Ambient space lighting is too diffused & uniformed to provide the level of bright concentrated light required. A LED desk lamp can provide task lighting over the desk to help prevent eye strain while reading. Task lighting over the kitchen countertop facilitates safety and precision by providing focused light on the food preparation area where sharp knives will be used for cutting. The benefits of accent lighting tends to be decorative, or to provide ambience, with less practical emphasis on illumination. Warm white (2700K) LED light strips under each stair tread leading to the tiny house main loft can enhance the visual perception of the floating stairs defying gravity.
ELECTRICAL WIRING
The lighting circuits are designed for 12 AWG wires instead of the traditional residential 14 AWG in order to decrease voltage drop and accommodate the electronics embedded in most modern Smart LED lighting systems enabled for WiFi controlled lighting or LED & speaker combo. Although 12 AWG can accommodate a 20 Amp circuit breaker a 15 Amp circuit breaker will be used on the 12 AWG circuit if recommended by the manufacturer of the lighting appliance.
The smoke / carbon monoxide detector(s) is recommended to be hardwired on the general electrical circuit assigned to the group of ceiling lights. Regardless if the lights are off, the smoke / carbon monoxide sensor(s) should remain operational. However, if there is a loss of power to the general light circuit the dedicated internal backup battery of the smoke / carbon monoxide detector should allow it to remain operational. Usually, hardwired smoke / carbon monoxide detectors have the capability to seamlessly communicate with other smoke / carbon monoxide detectors in the residence to better alert the occupants; even remotely.
Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a measurement of the appearance of light color rendered on an object; the higher the CRI number, the better. Incandescent and Halogen light bulb have a CRI of 100; LEDS usually have a CRI of 80 to 90. A LED with a high CRI rating is especially critical in the restaurant industry because a low CRI light bulb can make the food appear unappetizing.
Wall paint and smooth surfaces serve beneficial roles, other than their intended structural purposes by reflecting or amplifying light to other areas. This feature helps brighten an area by dispersing light.
HEALTH CONCERNS
Concerns have been made concerning the negligible higher levels of blue light emitted by LEDs compared to other forms of lightbulbs. The allegations are that cooler color blue light causes eyestrain and interferes with the body circadian rhythm causing a reduction in the production of nightly melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep in humans and dormancy in plants in relation to sunlight exposure; or lack of. Blue light is not inherently a danger. If so, the largest emitter of cool color blue light on Earth is natural sun light, at 25%, would probably be a greater threat to life on Earth. The problem is excess exposure to light sources with higher Kelvin color temperatures at night which confuses the brain at a time when it should be producing Melatonin in preparation to relax the body for sleep. Research has shown that exposure to cooler color lights in the evening hours before bedtime impacts the quantity & quality of sleep resulting in fatigue and diminished cognitive abilities the next day. Regardless, all forms of artificial light: light bulbs, candles, luminescence . . . should be moderated to prevent any interference with the body 24-hour circadian rhythm influencing the production of Melatonin. Any light source emitting light at night: Television, computer screen, cellphone or a candle can interfere with sleep. But their is a possible solution, most computer and cellphone screens have eye friendly night-light mode settings for use in low light environments. Also, most modern overhead light fixtures now have multi settings from warm light to bright light; depending on your level of comfort or the mood you are trying to create in your environment.
Photo courtesy of NHAPS
The Tiny Off-Grid House goal for indoor lighting is for the occupants to live as close as possible in a 24-hour natural light cycle. As discussed, sunlight regulates humans hormones like melatonin; also, enables vitamin D production (The body use vitamin D to absorb Calcium from the intestines to help maintain healthy bones) and influences our emotions. Research has been able to duplicate that a lack of natural sunlight can cause Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in humans. The conveniences of technology and automation are depriving humans of their daily dosage of sunlight. According to a report by The National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS) that was commissioned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed 90% of humans spend close to 22 hours inside every day, away from direct sunlight exposure and greater exposure to indoor air pollutants.
For more information on indoor air pollutants and indoor air filtration please read: “Tiny Off-Grid House Air Filtration & Mechanical Ventilation”
An unintended consequence of the technological advances in artificial lighting has created a detachment of human beings from the benefits of natural sunlight. The Tiny Off-Grid House is designed with ample windows to allow natural sunlight indoors to provide illumination and passive solar heating. The “lifestyle” that the Tiny Off-Grid House facilitates should encourage the occupants to participate in outdoor activities improving their cardiovascular health while burning calories, as well as reduced risk of chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) “There are many mental wellness benefits associated with being active outside in green spaces, such as lower risk of depression and faster psychological stress recovery. Studies have shown that being in nature can restore and strengthen our mental capacities, increasing focus and attention.” Also, participating in outdoor social activities straighten our social connection to the community.
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