Church Lighting

Are people able to read the song books you want them to sing from?

The main attraction of the modern high-intensity discharge lamps is their very long life – as much as 30 times that of incandescent lamps. These lamps have only a very poor to fair color rendition rating. They are most often used outdoors.

Modern sacred spaces offer many different types of functions to all age groups. The only way to satisfy multiple functions and age groups is to provide flexibility in the lighting system as a whole. Flexibility is made possible through the use of several different types of lamps, separate control of individual “lighting zones” and fixture types, and the ability to dim the light level put out by a particular fixture.

Light fixtures and the design of your church

The fixtures should complement the interior in design, scale, and color. The right choice of fixture brings out the “life” of the space, attracting our attention, quieting our minds, and enhancing feelings of exaltation.

The right light creates a sense of congruity, of oneness. A Gothic chandelier in a dining hall at Yale University or in a cathedral makes design sense; a neon sign to light the terrace at Mount Vernon doesn’t.

Function 101
Good, functional lighting creates the proper amount of illumination (measured in footcandles) for an intended purpose. The IES (Illuminating Engineers Society) publishes a chart that outlines the range of footcandle levels normally required for various functions.

To achieve the desired light levels, several lamp sources are available to choose from: incandescent, fluorescent, and H.I.D. (high intensity discharge). Each source has advantages and disadvantages in color, energy-efficiency, and performance. Lamping factors such as color “temperature,” CRI (color rendering index), maintenance and lamp life, size and shape, dimmability, initial vs. operating costs, and starting time are some factors taken into account in lighting design.

Incandescent lamps have a warm “color temperature” and excellent color rendition, but their efficiency and lamp life are both the lowest. Incandescent lamps are the only lamp type that can be dimmed at the wall switch, a major consideration in lighting design.

Fluorescent lamps – whose esthetic appeal has improved in recent years – has a color rendition rating of only fair to good, as much as 10 times the lamp life of incandescent lamps, and a wide efficiency range whose low end is still higher than incandescent lamps.

Energy-efficiency is well-served by a flexible lighting system. Dimming uses less electricity and makes a lamp last longer, saving on electric bills and on the labor cost to change burned-out lamps. Centralized control of all the lighting types and areas in a place of worship adds further to the energy-efficiency of a more complex lighting system. Some centralized control systems also allow programming for automatic setting of light levels or lighting functions all through the week, again saving on electricity and manpower costs.

With some modern light sources, lighting levels can be increased from 2 footcandles with incandescent lamps to 20 footcandles with the lamps requiring changing every 3 years or so, instead of every 4 months as with incandescent lamps. The only caution is to avoid destroying the atmosphere in the church.

Some types of fixtures to choose from: pendants, wall-mounted (sconces), ceiling mounted – either recessed or surface mount, indirect light, wall-washing, task light and spot-lights of either high or low-wattage.

If the church has period or historic light fixtures that it wishes to reuse, they can be refitted with current lamp technology for a terrific and satisfying result.

Call 1.800.351.6272 today and let us show you how the proper lighting scheme can make all the difference for your church!