The LED office lighting in your workspace significantly impacts the mood, energy levels, and overall productivity of your employees.
Inadequate lighting can cause fatigue and irritability, while excessively bright lighting can strain the eyes and disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythms. Striking the right balance with the perfect LED lighting can help your team stay focused, creative, and energized throughout the workday.
This article delves into the various aspects of LED office lighting and offers guidance on selecting the ideal lighting solution for your unique workspace.
Key Considerations for Optimal Led Office Lighting
Standards of Office Lighting
The most commonly used standard for office lighting is the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) Recommended Practice for Office Lighting, which provides guidance on lighting levels, uniformity, and color rendering for different types of office spaces and tasks. Other standards may include the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) workplace illumination standard, the European Union’s EN 12464-1 standard for workplace lighting, and the International Commission on Illumination’s (CIE) recommendations for lighting in indoor workspaces.
Standard EN 12464-1 on Office Lighting
EN 12464-1 is a European standard that sets the requirements for lighting in indoor workspaces, including offices. The standard provides guidance on the minimum illumination levels, light color, and distribution required to ensure that office lighting is comfortable, safe, and conducive to productivity. Some of the key requirements of EN 12464-1 for office lighting include:
- Illuminance levels: The standard specifies minimum illuminance levels for different types of office tasks, ranging from 300 lux for general office areas to 500 lux for computer-based tasks and up to 1000 lux for tasks requiring high visual acuity.
- Glare control: The standard sets limits on the amount of glare that can be present in office lighting, to reduce the risk of discomfort and visual impairment. This may involve the use of glare-reducing fixtures or shields, as well as careful placement of light sources to minimize glare.
- Color rendering: The standard requires that office lighting be designed to provide accurate color rendering, with a color rendering index (CRI) of at least 80 for general office areas and 90 for tasks requiring high color discrimination.
- Light distribution: The standard recommends that office lighting be designed to provide uniform illumination across the workspace, with no significant variations in illuminance levels or color temperature. This may involve the use of multiple light sources, as well as careful placement and orientation of fixtures to ensure even distribution of light.
Advantages of LED Office Lighting
Large, open office spaces can benefit from the use of LED bulbs. Although fluorescent bulbs are more common due to their longstanding use, LED bulbs offer numerous benefits, including:
- Lower operational and maintenance costs
- Longer lifespan
- Energy efficiency
- Absence of infrared radiation
- Reduced risk of triggering migraines
- Adjustable brightnessand color temperature
- Minimal interference with melatonin productionand sleep patterns
Before selecting a bulb type for your office lighting, carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Color Temperature
The color temperature of your LED office lighting impacts your employees’ wellness and productivity significantly.Warm yellow or orange lights promote relaxation, while cool blue or white lights enhance alertness and concentration. LED and fluorescent bulbs emit light in the blue and white spectrum, which makes them appropriate for daytime lighting. However, LED lights offer the added advantage of adjustable color temperature, allowing you to mimic natural outdoor light.
Light Distribution
Light Distribution is the way in which light is spread or dispersed within a space. In the context of LED office lighting, light distribution refers to how evenly and effectively light is distributed throughout the workspace to provide adequate illumination for various tasks and activities. This includes factors such as the placement and orientation of the LED light fixtures, the angle and intensity of the light beams, and the color temperature and brightness of the light emitted by the fixtures. Effective light distribution is important for creating a comfortable and productive work environment, as well as for reducing eye strain and other health issues associated with poor lighting conditions.
Selecting the Ideal Led Office Lighting
Assess Your Workspace
Start by assessing your workspace to identify the availability of natural light and determine whether it meets the minimum lighting requirements. Consider factors such as glare, eyestrain complaints, and potential improvements to the existing lighting arrangement. Conducting a professional light survey can also be helpful in measuring illuminance, luminance, reflectance, and contrast.
Determine The Type Of LED Office Lighting Needed
Direct, direct-indirect, indirect, and shielded lighting are among the various types of lighting that can be used in offices. A combination of widely dispersed light sources (direct-indirect, indirect, or shielded) and direct task lighting is frequently effective in office settings.
Provide LED Task Lighting At Every Workstation
Make sure that each team member has access to an adjustable desk lamp that provides at least 500 lumens, in addition to supplementing ambient light from windows or overhead bulbs with direct task lighting at each workstation.
Maximize Exposure To Natural Light
Encourage exposure to natural light by utilizing available windows or installing office lighting that mimics the color and temperature of outdoor light.
Maintenance of LED Office Lighting
1. Clean LED bulbs regularly
Dust and debris can build up on LED bulbs and reduce light output. Wipe down bulbs with a damp, soft cloth every few months to maximize brightness and efficiency.
2. Replace bulbs on schedule
While LED bulbs have a long lifespan, they do eventually burn out. Replace bulbs once they reach 70-80% of their rated lifespan to avoid issues. Most LED bulbs will last 3 to 5 years when used 8-12 hours a day.
3. Ensure proper ventilation of LED Office Lighting
LED bulbs generate heat which needs to be vented. Make sure lighting fixtures are not enclosed and that bulbs have space for air flow. This will prevent overheating and ensure maximum bulb life.
4. Dispose of spent bulbs properly
LED bulbs contain electronic components that should not end up in landfills. Check with your local waste and recycling department for proper disposal of non-working LED bulbs. Many home improvement stores that sell LED bulbs also offer free recycling for burned out bulbs.
5. Consider getting a warranty
When purchasing new LED fixtures or bulbs, you may want to get an extended warranty. LED products can be more expensive than traditional lighting, so a 3 to 5 year warranty may provide peace of mind in case of any issues.
Improve Productivity through Strategic LED Office Lighting
Selecting appropriate LED office lighting is a key factor in fostering success for your business. Beyond lighting, other elements such as furniture, decor, color scheme, seating options, and traffic flow also impact the overall work environment. Moko Collective designs workspaces with employee happiness and productivity in mind, incorporating inspiring design elements, perfect lighting solutions, and a wide range of industry-leading amenities. Experience the benefits of modern office spaces and elevate your business to new heights with Moko Light.