Did it occur to you that lighting in the office has a direct impact on workers’ ability to concentrate, energy levels and productivity? Just as our circadian rhythm is closely linked to the amount of light during the day, lighting in the office will also affect one’s body. So what is the best type of lighting for office spaces?

Lumens and Brightness

Make sure to adhere to the Australian lighting standards for office spaces when planning out your space. According to WorkSafe Queensland, there should be a minimum of 160 lux of light in general work areas. The more intricate the tasks are required for work, the brighter the lighting should be. What does that mean?

The brightness/intensity of light is measured in lumens; the higher the lumens the brighter the light. Lux considers the area over which the lumens is spread. So, 160 lux means 160 lumens in each square metre of the office area. That being said, lighting that is too dim can evoke drowsiness, and lighting too bright might trigger migraines. 

Colour Temperature

The colour temperature is also something you need to consider. This is denoted with kelvins in which 2000-3000k display a warmer tone, the higher the kelvins, the cooler toned it becomes, reaching a blueish tone. Warmer tones are more suitable for creating a relaxed environment, whereas cool white (around 4000K) is better for focusing on tasks and productivity. Different types of lighting can make us react differently. Generally, cooler and brighter lighting can make us feel more energised and stay alert.

LED Panels

To ensure a large area is evenly illuminated, panels might be a good choice for you. Overhead lighting is very important for the overall illumination of an office space. The Philips SmartBright LED Tri-Colour Direct-Lit Panel and Deluxlite LED Slim Panel Light are some LED panel options to maximise energy efficiency. Although they may be more expensive than fluorescent alternatives, they will cut energy bill costs in the long run. 

PLC

Other than panels for larger areas, PLC is also a common type of lighting used in the office space. The Philips CorePro LED PLC 4000K G24d-3 (also available in 4 pins) from the Philips CorePro LED range might be another energy-saving option for you. A wide range of PLC including fluorescent ones are available for you to choose on our website. For a comparison between LED and fluorescent lighting, read our other blog.

Batten and LED Tubes

If you would like to experiment with the colour temperature for different areas, the tri-colour LED battens with adjustable colour temperature might be a good choice for you. Depending on the lighting fixtures you decide to have in your office space, you have the options of T8 LED tubes on top of the panels, battens and PLC lights.  

Overview

It’s a simple matter of choosing the right lighting that can make a whole lot of difference to the productivity of workers in the office. This all comes down to the suitable brightness and a cooler colour temperature for the lights. There are many options that are energy-saving or flexible depending on your needs.

If deciding on the lighting of your office is too much of a challenge for you, we offer lighting consultations to provide the perfect solution. Our senior lighting consultant will guide you through the most effective lighting for your needs and take care of all the details involving lighting in your space.

Get in touch with us now!