Lighting & Electrical Services Blog | Rayteklighting.com

Commercial Lighting Impacts Workplace Productivity

In today’s modern business environment, productivity is exceptionally important.  After all, if your staff can maximize productivity, you will need less staff to accomplish tasks thereby saving money and completing business operations more quickly.  Whether your commercial building is 5 years old or 40 years old the lighting system likely consumes a lot of energy which is why your lighting system should be routinely evaluated to determine if lighting upgrades would improve energy efficiency and ultimately boost productivity amongst staff.

There are many modern lighting systems in a variety of price points to accommodate just about any budget that will save on energy and improve workplace productivity. Study after study has shown that humans are significantly impacted by artificial lighting and we know know that particularly colors light can actually influence mood, energy, and productivity!

Office lighting must, first and foremost, properly illuminate work areas so that staff can adequately see what they are doing to complete their tasks. If your commercial lighting is inadequate or ineffective, staff may take longer to complete tasks, get up and move around more frequently due to discomfort from poor lighting, and become easily fatigued from the strain but proper lighting can help greatly reduce this concern.  LED lighting is an excellent commercial lighting option because it uses significantly less energy, has many more programmable options, and is better at mimicking the qualities of natural light to enhance workplace productivity. Speak to an experienced lighting and electrical professional that can help guide you to the ideal lighting solutions for your commercial facility.

What is the best way to setup commercial lighting?

The perfect lighting for commercial space depends on several factors. It is essential to make an informed decision by researching and considering all available options. The following are some best ways to setup commercial lighting.

Understand standards

The U.S. General Services Administration mandates a minimum standard for office lighting. These regulations apply to all businesses and industrial facilities located in the United States. According to their standards, an ideal workstation should need about 500 lumens per square meter of light. The most suggested option for office lighting is fluorescent ceiling fixtures. An office’s layout should provide an even amount of illumination for an entire space and minimize shadows.

Accessible types

 Most modern commercial facilities use LEDs for illumination. Some prefer to use halogen and incandescent for various reasons. However, when compared with other available options like fluorescent, LEDs have some major upsides like:

They have a longer lifespan

It is a lot cheaper

They conserve maximum energy

LEDs do not emit infrared radiation

They don’t trigger migraines and other problems

It can be dimmed as per the requirements.

Temperature and hue

The color and temperature of commercial lighting help to boost the productivity and commitment of employees. In ideal situations, businesses should use warm yellow or orange hues to relax and unwind the workforce. LEDs allow them to adjust the color and temperature based on the time and climate conditions.

Brightness

Similar to temperature and color, brightness also affects employee efficiency. Modern lighting fixtures are available with features that enable one to adjust the brightness accordingly. They can also use automation setups to schedule this function. Moreover, ideal light brightness brings a sense of focus and creativity.

Cost

The most important factor in commercial lights is cost. Since the fixtures in a workplace will run for 14 to 18 hours a day, businesses should look for durability and prolonged life span in their options. One can reduce energy consumption with the use of timers, motion sensors, and dimmers.

How to choose the best commercial lighting

Start by thoroughly analyzing the workspace and evaluate requirements. Businesses look for ways to improve the existing arrangement without breaching any standards. They should also look to reduce eye strain and migraines for employees with an optimal level of brightness.

Next, decide the type of lighting that an office needs. The available types include direct, indirect, and shielded lighting. Choosing between these options is a choice made by evaluating various factors. In any situation, the illumination should be provided evenly to a facility in a natural manner.

Businesses should provide as much natural light as possible for a workspace. Employees have reported increased productivity and efficiency when exposed to natural light. Since most modern offices only have limited openings, consider using lighting fixtures that could emulate the color and temperature of natural light.