Well-designed lighting concepts pay off for employers and employees alike
Good lighting in the office does more than simply illuminate spaces: it enhances concentration and therefore also proves economically beneficial in the long term. Workplace lighting enables what may seem like a simple task at first glance: seeing and recognising, allowing employees to carry out their work precisely. However, well-thought-out lighting design not only creates optimal visual conditions, it also increases safety and reduces errors.
Lighting in Harmony with the Biorhythm
Light is also a biological timekeeper. The human body is guided by day and night, light and darkness. In today’s modern working world, however, many activities take place indoors, and we receive too little natural daylight. Lighting that is based on natural light can compensate for this: Human Centric Lighting (HCL).
What Defines Good Office Lighting
Quality in lighting is not a matter of chance, but the result of clear criteria. European standards such as DIN EN 12464-1 provide guidance and define minimum requirements – for example, 500 lux for screen-based workstations. Depending on the activity and visual task, higher lux levels may be required. Disturbing shadows or glare on screens or shiny surfaces should be avoided. If daylight is insufficient, ceiling luminaires installed parallel to the window side illuminate the desks. Adjustable and dimmable desk lamps provide additional brightness on the work surface.
The light colour must also be appropriate: for focused work, light sources with a neutral white to daylight white colour temperature are recommended. In addition, luminaires should render colours accurately and have a high colour rendering index – at least Ra 80. Light sources must never flicker, as this causes premature eye fatigue. With regular maintenance, the system remains in good condition, and the required maintenance value of illuminance is maintained even after many hours of operation.
Employers Save – Employees Benefit
Modern LED technology saves energy and costs, is long-lasting and virtually maintenance-free. Upgrading outdated lighting systems therefore offers significant energy and financial savings potential. Simply replacing old lamps with LED retrofit lamps can achieve savings of 40 per cent. Savings of up to 85 per cent are possible when new luminaires are professionally planned with a lighting management system.
Lighting control systems also make it possible to implement lighting in line with the HCL concept, supporting the biorhythm. Intelligent systems automatically adjust lighting according to time of day, usage and individual needs. They provide exactly the light required – in the right intensity and colour.
Good office lighting is a key component of modern working environments. It influences how we see, think and feel – and therefore how we work. Investing in lighting not only strengthens infrastructure but also supports people. It pays off – for employers and employees alike.
Further information on lighting management is available from the industry initiative licht.de in its new brochure licht.wissen 12 Light Management.