In addition to the impact on your wallet, the type of lamps used and the use of natural light have a major impact on our health, such as sleep and metabolism.
Lighting represents almost 8% of global energy consumption. It corresponds to around 10 to 20% of residential energy bills, with an even higher proportion in commercial establishments, such as offices.
But there is still enormous potential for improvement. Technological changes and consumer behavior management can significantly reduce energy consumption without sacrificing comfort – and even improving health and well-being.
LED lamps represented a major advance in energy efficiency. They can reduce energy consumption by 50 to 80% compared to older technology, but its impact goes beyond energy savings, as, by emitting less heat than old lamps, they also reduce the need for cooling indoor environments.
The type of light also plays an important role in our organism, affecting sleep, attention and metabolism. But its impact depends mainly on intensity. Blue light – typically emitted by “cold” screens and LED lamps – can alter the brain’s production of melatonin, which affects sleep and circadian rhythms. Warmer, properly adjusted LED bulbs, on the other hand, can minimize this effect. They are also more energy efficient than other systems.
Better lighting does not mean more light
A common mistake in interiors is the full and uniform lighting. We flip the switch and light up an entire space without considering how each area will actually be used. But lighting needs are far from uniform. For example, European standards state that a hallway needs around 100 to 200 lux, while a workstation needs around 500.
A division of spaces It can reduce energy consumption for lighting by 20% to 40% without affecting visual comfort. And additional savings – from 20% to 60% – can be achieved through smart lighting systems that use sensors to automatically adjust lighting depending on where people are within the space.
O Excessive lighting is another common problem. Many lighting systems exceed recommended levels without producing noticeable benefits, causing unnecessary energy consumption.
In short, what we need is to use less energy and adapt spaces to the way people actually use them.
Benefits of natural light
The most efficient lighting resource in a building is natural light. In outdoor environments, the luminosity can exceed 10,000 lux, while indoors it rarely exceeds 500 lux. Still, it’s common to leave artificial lights on all day, which increases energy costs and reduces our exposure to natural light.
But a commercial or residential building project that make the most of natural light can reduce energy consumption for lighting by 40 to 70%. It also improves productivity and mood, reduces eye fatigue and helps regulate our biological clocks.
At night, artificial light can affect sleep, reducing melatonin levelsthe hormone that helps us fall asleep. Exposure to natural light during the day helps improve nighttime rest and balance our circadian rhythms. As everyone reacts differently, it is important to adapt the lighting to individual needs.
Color temperature also affects how we feel. Cold light makes us more alert, while Warm light is best for rest and relaxation. Dynamic lighting systems allow you to adapt lighting throughout the day, improving comfort and using only the necessary energy.
Sustainability and health certifications
In recent years, energy-efficient lighting has moved from being an isolated objective to becoming part of global certification systems that look at buildings as a whole. The two most important certifications are LEED and WELL.
LEED: energy efficiency and sustainable design
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) has become one of the most used standards in the world to assess the sustainability of buildings.
In lighting, LEED is not limited to energy consumption. Also consider the use of natural lightways to reduce energy consumption in lighting, automatic controls and sensors and the quality of lighting in indoor spaces.
Studies show that LEED certified buildings can significantly reduce overall energy consumption, with lighting and heating having a direct impact.
In practice, LEED pushes us towards more energy-efficient buildings, where lighting systems are an integral part of the projectrather than a separate, isolated element.
WELL: lighting and health
While LEED certification is based on efficiency, the WELL Building Standard considers human health. In the section on lighting, WELL looks at exposure to natural light (including duration), control of excess light, spectral qualities of artificial light, changes in circadian rhythms and exposure to nighttime light, as well as flexibility of lighting at different times of day.
The WELL standard illustrates how the paradigm is changing regarding lighting. It is no longer just a technical parameter and is now seen as a direct determinant of physical and mental well-being. A 2022 study found that following the WELL criteria can reduce fatigue and improve sleep quality and cognitive performance.
WELL introduces the vital concept that lighting improvements should not only be about saving money, but also about protecting our health.
Interior design and energy efficiency
The design of a space is also decisive in energy consumption. For example, the Light-colored surfaces reflect up to 80% of lightwhile dark colors increase the need for artificial light.
Research has shown that certain passive design choices can reduce energy consumption for lighting by 30 to 50 percent without any technological change. These choices include a building orientation that make the most of natural lightthe use of materials that reflect light, the control of excess light or glare and indirect lighting.
Designing a space carefully can save as much energy as renovating your entire lighting system.
The lighting of the future
Reducing energy consumption does not depend on a single technological solution, but on an integrated and comprehensive strategy that ranges from the layout of the space to the type of lamps used.
There are no official statistics that encompass the potential savings resulting from the combination of all these measures, as this value also depends on the type of building, climate and use. But we have estimates. For example, upgrading lighting in an office building can reduce energy consumption for lighting by 60 to 90%depending on the level of optimization.
But lighting is not just a matter of energy consumption. It is also a fundamental component for health, productivity and well-being. Buildings of the future will therefore be not only more efficient, but also healthier and certified according to criteria spanning energy, use, health and design.
