How Lighting Affects Mood and Productivity

Nov 22

In today’s fast-paced business environment, the difference between growth and stagnation is measured in decimal places. Even minor improvements in employee productivity can have an outsized impact on overall business performance, and leaders across every vertical are constantly seeking incremental gains that drive real results.

Don’t overlook the benefits of good lighting for both efficiency and mood for your team. Here’s what leaders should know about LED lighting and productivity.

The Effects of Indoor Lighting on Mood and Cognition

There is considerable research on the impact of lighting on productivity, mood, and overall performance. Studies primarily focus on lighting temperature, with warm and cool lighting offering different benefits based on the prescribed task.

Cool lighting tends to improve creativity and analytical thinking.
Warm lighting promotes relaxation and may improve long-term memory retention.

The impact of lighting is not universal, and most studies show significant differences by subject age and gender, as well as wide variations across specific tasks. Men tend to be in a more positive mood in cool lighting, while women appear happier in warm lighting.

The Right Light for Business

Regardless of the temperature, business owners can start by ensuring adequate lighting to provide a safe, productive environment for team members. Lighting must be bright enough to allow staff to see, stay safe, and respond to visual cues in the workplace. OSHA has specific lighting and illumination standards that general workplaces must follow, as well as industry-specific regulations in many manufacturing and industrial settings.

LED Lights and Mood

LED lighting improves productivity in several ways. Combined with its renowned energy efficiency and longevity, LED fixtures are the industry standard for most leading organizations.

How LEDs Boost Productivity

Reduce eye strain: LED lights don’t flicker like fluorescents, which is easier on the eyes. This allows longer, more efficient working sessions with fewer headaches or fatigue.
Improved alertness: Cool LED lights enhance alertness and mental acuity. Researchers believe this is due in large part ot LED’s similarity to natural light.
Adaptable: LED lighting is available in a range of brightness levels, and most fixtures allow dimming. The ability to adjust lighting levels throughout the day contributes to energy savings and improved performance.

How to Light an Office

Lighting for impactful productivity gains requires a little planning, which is why we always provide detailed recommendations as a part of every commercial lighting project we undertake.

1. Use natural lighting: Natural lighting improves productivity and reduces energy consumption by allowing the team to dim or turn off fixtures. Ample natural light can also enhance commercial real estate values by as much as 20% compared to properties with little natural light.

For offices without windows, use cool lights to mimic natural lighting as much as possible.

2. Use Indirect lighting: Cove fixtures and other “hidden” light sources provide indirect ambient lighting to reduce the effects of shadows and dark spots.

3. Task lighting: Supplement overhead lighting with lamps. Task lighting allows employees the flexibility to choose the ideal settings for themselves while reducing lighting needs in underoccupied areas.

Invest in Your Facility with Keen Technical Solutions

Keen Technical Solutions is one of the nation’s premier energy efficiency companies. We help business owners, facility managers, and growth-minded organizations achieve significant savings through strategic energy-efficiency upgrades, including LED lighting. Start your project with an in-depth audit; contact a Keen energy consultant today.

Cody Sovis