Research shows that brighter is not always better in exterior lighting applications. According to an exterior lighting guide published by the Department of Energy (DOE) in collaboration with the Federal Energy Management Program, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the California Lighting Technology Center at UC Davis, studies have shown that excessive lighting can lead to glare and over-illumination – sometimes making people more vulnerable to criminal activities.
The guide was designed to assist facilities managers in choosing the correct luminaires and practices for their spaces to reduce energy use while making their spaces more visually appealing and safer for visitors. “When designing exterior lighting systems, it is the quality of light instead of the quantity of light that is typically related to safety.”
Because exterior lights are typically on for extended periods of time, it is important to install energy efficient fixtures. Combining high quality lighting technologies with SMART bi-level sensor controls will reduce energy while saving money and increasing safety. To demonstrate this, energy-efficient EverLast® induction shoe box parking lot fixtures with bi-level occupancy controls that dim to low light levels during unoccupied periods were recently installed at UC Davis’s School of Veterinary Medicine as part of a campus-wide commitment to reduce electricity use by 60% by the end of 2015. The EverLast® fixtures produce a balanced light distribution that provides enhanced security to students and faculty while helping the campus reach its goal of reducing energy consumption.
Two metrics are commonly used to determine lighting quality: correlated color temperature (CCT) and color rendering index (CRI). CCT describes the color appearance of a light source and is measured in Kelvin (K) degrees. CCTs ranging between 5000-6000K deliver a white light that is better for identifying potential threats at night. CRI is used to describe color rendering accuracy of a light source and is measured on a scale ranging up to 100. A light source with a high CRI denotes good color rendering ability, which is important for safety and security.
Lighting that has a CCT ranging between 5000-6000K and a high CRI is often perceived as brighter, even if the light source provides fewer lumens per watt. This perception is due to the light being high quality. As a result, it is important to understand who, when, and why individuals will use the space being lit, and adapt the lighting design to provide the type of illumination that suits the needs of the expected occupants.
EverLast® Lighting is a subsidiary of Full Spectrum Solutions, Inc. and has quickly grown into the leading manufacturer of energy efficient lighting solutions for roadway, parking structure, facility and area lighting applications. For additional product information, visitwww.everlastlight.com, call 888-383-7578, or email info@everlastlight.com.
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Source: Full Spectrum Solutions