Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 11/21/2009

Question
I recently started work in a new cigar shop. This is a seasonal store that was a jewelry store before we got it. we have modified the old jewelry cases with cedar walls and crystal humidifiers. they keep a decent 70/70 heat and humidity rate. the problem is the old over head lighting shoots the temp in the cases up way to high, and with out the lights the cases are far to dark to see the cigars. Is there any form of inexpensive lighting you know of that wont heat up to much? any help would be appreciated.-Bill in South Carolina.

Answer
Bill,

Sorry about the delayed response. I've been out of the office for a few days.

Most stores use some type of indirect lighting, but in my shop, which is a 1,500 square foot walk in humidor, we just use fluorescent lighting. Fluorescent doesn't give off a lot of heat and works well for us. The one thing you have to be careful of is that it will cause things to fade - boxes and even cigars if they are exposed to it for a long enough period of time. I think your best chance of finding a solution would be to talk to a lighting store. I'm thinking that there may be cool fluorescent bulbs that are specifically made for items that are sensitive to fading. If you can find something like that and put fixtures in the cases, that may solve your problem.

Hope this helps.
Bill