School Lighting: The Definitive Guide

There are two fundamental roles of lighting in any space: utility and aesthetics. You can achieve both by following the right technique and using the right fixtures for the space. When lighting a school, it is important to follow the correct technique and use the correct fixtures. Any one of these things going wrong can impair utility, rendering lighting useless. However, you don't need to worry because we'll explain everything you need to know about school lighting in this guide. So, let's get started.

What exactly is school lighting and why is it important?

From the perspective of the two basic functions of lights, the practicability of school lights is particularly important. It can affect room visibility and student mood, an important consideration in any teaching facility. Poor lighting conditions can cause glare and reflections, which can fatigue students and reduce their concentration in the classroom. Conversely, an ideal lighting environment improves students' mood and increases their productivity.

Proper LED lighting will reduce glare and hide reflections. As a result, students experience no eye strain or fatigue, allowing them to focus better and learn more. In addition, light temperature also plays an important role. Warm lights can make students drowsy and reduce their concentration. That's because warm lighting triggers the body's production of melatonin, the sleep hormone that induces drowsiness.

Cold light, on the other hand, mimics natural light and blocks the production of melatonin, making the body feel more alive and energized. It helps to improve students' concentration and sharpen them in class.

In short, school lighting can affect everything from the overall environment of a class to the academic performance of students. So it's very important to do it right.

The Importance of LED Lights in School Lighting

Schools use different types of lights in their exterior spaces and classrooms but there are few options that match LED lights. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons that make LED lights very important in a school environment;

Energy efficient

LEDs have a higher upfront cost, but are still the most cost-effective and energy-efficient compared to other options. You cannot afford to install energy consuming solutions in your school as it will increase your energy bill many times over. Typically, schools use incandescent light bulbs, which are not only less durable, but also consume more energy. In other words, incandescent bulbs consume 75% more energy than LEDs. Imagine how much you will save on electricity bills by choosing LEDs.

Plus, LEDs last longer than incandescent bulbs, so you won't have to replace them as often. Once you have them installed at school, you can use them for at least a few years. This is critical for schools, as changing light bulbs during class breaks the rhythm and disrupts the learning process.

Improve classroom performance

Some schools prefer fluorescent lighting because of the unfiltered lighting, but this is counterproductive. While it can brighten a room, it can also disrupt normal circadian rhythms and cause a host of health problems. The light from fluorescent lights can cause glare and lead to vision loss, distraction, hyperactivity, poor concentration, and spikes in blood pressure, among other things.

LEDs, on the other hand, do not create any of these issues and allow schools to customize lighting needs as required. For example, schools could choose cool lights where students must concentrate and warm lights where students can relax.

Reduce light sensitivity

The inability to control eye movement relative to light sources can impair vision, a condition known as light sensitivity. This type of problem occurs when the beam angle of the light is not correct. Symptoms of light sensitivity include double vision, red eyes, blurred vision, migraines, cluster headaches, and prolonged blinking. If a student at school exhibits any of these symptoms, the school lights will need to be redesigned. The best way to avoid these problems is to use LEDs.

Lower stress levels

One of the goals of school lighting is to prevent or reduce stress levels in students. Traditional lighting, such as fluorescent lighting, can up-regulate levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, and affect students' stress levels. It affects everything from blood sugar levels to sleep cycles. Using LEDs will help you manage the physical and emotional stress of your students.

Reduced Long-Term Eye Risks

Prolonged exposure to traditional lights can cause a variety of eye problems. These include cataracts, macular degeneration, and corneal lumps. However, using LEDs as a light source avoids all of these problems.