Houston Chronicle

Consider energy efficiency when remodeling

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Q : I plan to remodel my master bathroom/ dressing area and my young kid’s bathroom myself. The previous lighting in there was terrible. What is the best and most efficient lighting to use for these projects? — Judi L.

A : People don’t often think about lighting and efficiency when it comes to bathroom remodeling, it is as important as selecting the vanity or fixtures. Today’s master bathrooms and dressing areas are often as large as some second bedrooms and are more than just a place to shower, shave, etc.

Bathroom lighting in most older homes is typically just a globe light fixture on the ceiling or under the vent fan.

For bathrooms with an exterior wall and a window, it probably does not have a vent fan.

Either way, install a new Energy Star qualified vent fan with an efficient lighting system.

Use CFL (compact fluorescen­t) or LED (light emitting diode) bulbs in the fixture. LED bulbs are slightly more efficient than CFL’s and they come to full brightness immediatel­y. You may decide to install a dimmer switch as your child get older, so purchase dimmable models of either type of bulb.

Developing a lighting plan for your master bathroom is more involved than for your child’s bathroom since it must be effective and efficient for more activities - showering, applying makeup, shaving, washing hair, etc.

Use a general lighting technique called layering in your bathroom.

There are two basic lighting layers - task and ambient. Task lighting is most important in the bath/shower area and at the mirror and vanity.

The most common task lighting for the bath/shower area is recessed canister lighting. If the recessed lights are under the attic floor, make sure to install special fixtures which are sealed from the attic above.

Don’t just install cheap ones and try to stuff attic insulation around them.

That can create a fire hazard and is not particular­ly effective. In order to also vent the bath enclosure, select recessed lights with built-in mini-exhaust fans. This is the most efficient method.

For the mirror and vanity area, three-direction lighting is most effective to eliminate shadows when shaving and applying makeup. This requires lighting from above near the mirror and lighting on each side at eye level.

A row of LED bulbs across the wall above the mirror works well and uses less than 20 watts of electricit­y. If the mirror is not too wide, vertical T2 or T5 fluorescen­t fixtures on the wall on both sides is good. For a wider mirror, special fixtures are available which attach to the mirror edges.

Fluorescen­t bulbs also offer more options for better color rendition which is helpful when applying makeup. Full-spectrum bulbs with a high CRI (color rendition index) would be a good choice.

For general ambient lighting, a single overhead LED fixture or vent fan should be adequate. Even for adults, a model with a motion sensor that automatica­lly dims it to a night light brightness level is a convenient feature.

Q

: I plan to build a house using staggered 2x4 studded walls. This will allow for two layers of insulation and no stud in contact with both the inside and outside walls. Is this a good idea? — Tim P.

A : Staggered stud wall constructi­on (studs offset under a wide header) does eliminate the indoor to outdoor thermal bridge (no insulation) through the studs. This is effective on walls with few windows or doors.

On walls with many windows, the studs create thermal bridges around each window. Studs must line up for the window framing.

For those walls, consider using 2x6 studs and a layer of rigid foam insulation sheathing on the outside.

Send inquiries to James Dulley, Houston Chronicle, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244, or visit www.dulley.com.

 ?? Courtesy of Kichler Lighting ?? This four-fixture rail light uses bright LED bulbs for accent and ambient lighting. The wiring is hidden inside the rail.
Courtesy of Kichler Lighting This four-fixture rail light uses bright LED bulbs for accent and ambient lighting. The wiring is hidden inside the rail.
 ?? Courtesy of Holtkoette­r Ludwig ?? This attractive overhead four-light fixture is attached to mirror and provides a wash of task lighting.
Courtesy of Holtkoette­r Ludwig This attractive overhead four-light fixture is attached to mirror and provides a wash of task lighting.
 ?? Courtesy of Broan ?? Recessed light with built-in vent fan provides task lighting in shower and exhausts humidity. The fan has an automatic humidity sensor switch.
Courtesy of Broan Recessed light with built-in vent fan provides task lighting in shower and exhausts humidity. The fan has an automatic humidity sensor switch.
 ??  ?? JAMES DULLEY
JAMES DULLEY

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