Getting the Most Light from Candles 
by Danelle B. Johnson

Months of unemployment and a costly cross-country move inspired my husband and I to pursue a more frugal lifestyle. One of our first challenges was to reduce our need for electricity. We've recently discovered that a few carefully-selected and strategically-placed candles almost eliminates our need for electrical lights in the evening.

More Wicks Equal More Light

Have you ever wondered why the candles with multiple wicks are so popular? It may be just because they look more interesting, but a nice side benefit is that they give off more light than a single-wick candle. One four- to five-wick candle burning in a room provides sufficient light for almost any purpose. And the size of the candle doesn't matter ( it is the number of burning wicks that determines the amount of light. But, beware that the extra-large versions of the multiple wick candles are often over-priced by candle shops and department stores. The large four-wick scented candle from Wal-mart can do the job for only $5.97 and if burned cautiously, can provide two to three months of evening light.

Glass Refracts Light

Small candles and tea lights generate healthy light when reflected and refracted from inside a glass enclosure. Next time you're at the thrift shop or discount store, look for candleholders that have glass around the pedestal. These will emit more light than a simple candle stand ( enough to light a small bathroom or pantry area for the evening. When a candleholder isn't available, a simple drinking glass will do. (Avoid the pre-packaged candle-in-a-glass products sold in stores. They often give out once they've burned halfway down.)

The Mirror Effect Helps

Placing a candle in front of a mirror generates a reflection of the flame that doubles (or seems to double) the light in the room. We have a large mirror over our fireplace hearth. At night, we line up candles of various sizes along the hearth. The combination of the flames and the reflections results in a glow that illuminates our entire living room.

The White Wall Effect

Placing a candle next to a white or light-colored wall creates a reflection that helps distribute the light around the room. This is particularly effective when the candle is placed on a high surface in the corner of a room (such as the top of a corner bookshelf). The light is reflected from the two side walls and the ceiling creating a beacon effect.

Light-Colored Candles Burn Brighter

One evening, while enjoying a candle-lit conversation, we observed that a yellow candle was literally glowing from within, while a burgundy candle of the same size and type was only emitting light from the top. After studying this phenomenon for a few days, we concluded that a flame can shine through a light-colored candle to all points on the surface, whereas the light becomes absorbed inside a darker candle.

So, with a four-wick candle burning in the dining and kitchen area, a line of candles along the mirrored hearth in the living room, a light-colored pillar candle in each bedroom, and a tea light glass in each bathroom . . . our house is lit for the evening!

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Copyright 2002 by Danelle B. Johnson