What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of "sustainable lighting?” Here at Morlights, we think “good design.” The best lighting practices are always sustainable, both for the short-term and long-term.
Over the last two decades, the focus on ‘sustainability’ has risen across a variety of design fields, and lighting design is no exception. And as with other industries, the term remains a fluid concept, with a wide range of interpretations relating to lighting controls, daylight color matching, LEDs, and LEED and WELL certifications. To achieve a successful outcome, however, you must factor in all of these considerations, along with cost and energy budgets, as well as long-term maintenance.
Before diving into how to achieve sustainable lighting design, we want to make sure we are clear on the two types of light: natural and electric.
While natural light is highly desirable and necessary for achieving a sustainable design, always remember it requires as much control as electrical light. Electric light, (not artificial light because, as we at Morlights like to say, artificial light does not exist – there is nothing artificial about it! It’s real light!), adds cost and energy use, but when implemented strategically, it can truly bring your project to life. So, finding an effective balance between natural and electric lighting is an important goal for lighting design.
So what exactly is sustainability, and how does lighting design impact your sustainability mission? As we enter an era of greener thinking, we at Morlights have compiled a list of key considerations for your lighting design.
Determine Light Quality
Quality check is the first and most important step to good lighting. Imagine being in a space with distracting blue or red light, too much or too little light, or even flickering lights. It is as simple as that — if it’s uncomfortable, it's not sustainable.
Analyze Light Quantity
Each electric light installed increases not only energy consumption but also costs due to materials and labor. It is essential to evaluate the levels of lighting that a space requires, as well as the users’ preferences. For example, do users prefer darker environments, necessitating less lighting? A good checkpoint for your sustainability goal is to match the quantity of light required with the need.
Reduce Connected Load and Provide Accessible and Adjustable Controls
This entails using the fewest watts necessary for comfortable operation at different times of day. Additionally, unoccupied spaces and those with an abundance of natural lighting can be used to reduce energy consumption even further.
Review Serviceable Luminaire Specifications
Avoid using light fixtures that may require the removal of ceiling or wall finishes. These big changes are rarely cost-effective, adding cost and time to remove existing construction — which also means they are inherently less sustainable.