30 Aug Office lighting: everything you need to know for your workspace
The lighting in the office workspace has a direct effect on the mood, energy level and productivity of the people who live there. Lighting that is too dim will make us feel tired and grumpy. Lighting that is too bright, on the other hand, will be bad for our eyes and may even trigger migraines or disrupt circadian rhythms.
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The perfect light is the one that helps the people working in the space to be in the right mood to give 100%. staying alert, creative, energetic and in the right frame of mind to give 100%.
"Artificial lighting: factors to consider.
Now, what is the most beneficial lighting? Like almost everything in life , natural is best.
At ShedCo we take advantage of natural light outdoors.
Not surprisingly, numerous studies have shown that daylight in office spaces improves worker satisfaction and productivity. If you want to have the best lighting in the workplace, these are the steps to follow:
- Bring the SUNLIGHT to the most used areas.
- Use a matte finish on wallsLight colors reflect light more effectively than dark colors and make spaces appear brighter, but the sheen of the paint can produce glare. A matte paint will absorb most of the glare.
- Install artificial lighting that mimics daylightBecause sunlight must be supplemented in offices, make sure that desk lamps emit light in the same spectrum as natural daylight.
1. Office lighting standards
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Thanks to different specialized agencies, we know that the lighting of a standard office requires about 500 lumens per square meter.
This figure may seem high or make no sense if we are not familiar with these concepts, but in reality it boils down to the fact that each space should receive the equivalent light of one 35 watt bulb.
To put this statement in perspective, keep in mind that, on most desks, lamps use a 60-watt bulb that produces 800 lumens. Is that sentence right? The original I think it was cut off.
Bulb type
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For large open spaces, such as most office environments, LEDs are the best choice as fluorescent bulbs, although more common, are an older type of technology.
LED bulbs have several advantages:
- They are cheaper to operate and maintain.
- They have a longer service life.
- They do not use excess energy.
- They do not emit infrared radiation.
- They do not cause migraines in people predisposed to them.
- They can be dimmed to match the time of day and season of the year.
- They do not inhibit melatonin production or interfere with sleep patterns.
3. Color and temperature
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The color and temperature of office lighting also play a vital role in worker health and productivity.
In general, warm yellow or orange lights are better for relaxing and resting, while cooler yellow or orange lights are better for clearing your mind and concentration. blue or white color are preferable for unwinding and relaxing. encourage work and concentration.
Fluorescent bulbs and LEDs emit light in the blue and white spectrum, making them ideal for morning lighting. In the case of LED lightsLEDs, these can be adjusted. in color and temperature, to mimicnatural outdoor light.
4. Shine
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Brightness affects mood and energy level. Bright morning light is best for stimulating alertness, activity and creativity, while dim afternoon light is beneficial for stationary, concentrated work.
There are office led lights that come equipped with a function that allows you to adjust its brightness (sometimes automatically) depending on the time of day. In the morning, they give a brighter light and, as the day progresses, they gradually dim.
5. Costs
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The level of expenditure is an important factor in office lighting design because the bulbs will operate for 11 to 12 hours every day.
Fluorescent and LEDs are usually the least expensive. However, consumption can be reduced by installing motion sensors, timers and dimmers. that control electricity consumption.
6. Where to place the computer
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Another variable to consider when setting up the lighting in the workspace is the location of the computer. The brightness of some lights or the location of the windows can disturb the work, even with the best screens, to the point of making it impossible to work.
"How to choose lighting for an office or workspace
1. Inspect the workspace
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The first step in choosing the right office lighting is to examine our workspace and ask ourselves the following questions:
- Where does natural light come from?
- Is there enough sunlight to be able to dim (or even turn off) artificial lighting during the brightest part of the day?
- Does the space's own lighting meet minimum standards?
- Do space members complain of eyestrain?
It may be beneficial to hire a professional to perform a detailed lighting study to measure variables such as illuminance, luminance (these are different concepts), reflectance and contrast. detailed lighting study to measure variables such as: illuminance, luminance (these are different concepts), reflectance and contrast.
2. Check what type of office lighting is needed.
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Indirect lighting, the most commonly used in office environments, projects light to the ceiling, where it is dispersed throughout the area in a more natural way.
In the case of direct lighting, it is preferable to use it as a complement to indirect lighting at individual workstations. This means that, in an office environment, each team member should be given an easy-to-use, adjustable desk lamp that provides at least 500 lumens. desk lamp easy-to-use, adjustable lamp that provides at least 500 lumens.
Direct-indirect lighting, which is most often used to reduce glare, is that which projects illumination up and down giving uniform coverage throughout. Therefore, in most office environments , What works well is a combination of widely dispersed light sources..
In short, it is best to supplement any ambient light, whether from windows or ceiling bulbs, with direct lighting at each workstation.
3. Expose yourself to as much natural light as possible.
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Residents of older buildings (as is the case at The Shed Co) are in luck as these properties tend to have Large windows provide plenty of natural light throughout the day.. Newer buildings may have smaller windows and only in designated locations, making it difficult for light to reach all team members.
If windows are scarce in your workspace, office lighting that mimics the color and temperature of natural light can be installed.
4. Do I blink? No, thank you.
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Too much flicker in office lighting, even that which is imperceptible to the naked eye, is annoying. Prolonged exposure to this type of flicker may cause eyestrain, headaches and other health problems. To avoid it:
- Upgrade lighting options with electronic ballasts.
- Make sure that the installed lights are in good working order.
- Respect regular bulb replacement protocols.
The best way to attract new workers and make sure your employees are well and productive is to have proper lighting. You will experience all the benefits of light in office spaces and, as a result, your team will be happier.