From the placement of desks to indoor lighting, a number of factors can contribute to employee productivity at your company. The lighting you use can support the body’s circadian rhythm, boost alertness, and help employees focus on the task at hand.
If you need assistance in determining the right lighting for your Orlando business or office space, we can help. Reach out to Mister Sparky today to learn more.
How Does Lighting Boost Employee Productivity?
Your company’s lighting can boost your employee productivity in a few important ways.
Lighting Supports Circadian Rhythms
Your body’s circadian rhythms are largely influenced by light. In fact, scientists have found that the light at sunrise and sunset plays the biggest role in determining your wakefulness. By exposing workers to the right amount of light, you can boost their energy levels, lower their sense of fatigue, and improve their ability to focus.
Natural Lighting Is Key
To maximize this benefit, it’s important to be strategic about your company’s window placement. If you don’t have any windows, you can install skylights to let in natural light.
To avoid harsh glares, you may want to consider a light-diffusing window treatment. This is especially important if the worker’s computer screen faces a window.
How To Choose the Right Lighting for Your Office
There are many different studies that show how light affects an individual’s emotional state, productivity level, and attitude. Because of this, take your time to find the right lighting options for your business. When natural light isn’t a viable option, use the following tips to choose the right artificial light for your company.
Reconsider Fluorescent
LED lights are an energy-efficient option for your business. Additionally, these bulbs are known for lasting decades, which makes them inexpensive to install over the long run. If you are still using fluorescent lights, it’s time to replace them.
Fluorescent lights come with a number of potential flaws. Some people develop migraines when they’re around fluorescent lights, which directly impacts their productivity.
Additionally, fluorescent lights have been shown to interfere with circadian rhythms. This is especially an issue during the winter when workers are more likely to work past sunset. Because of this biochemical interference, the worker’s sleep schedule, energy levels and employee productivity can be directly affected.
Find the Right Intensity and Color
Next, you want to figure out the ambiance you need in your office. Different light colors and intensities are designed for different purposes. For a meeting space or a breakroom, you may want a warm yellow or orange light. In a task-focused office, you may require a cool blue or white light to help workers wake up and focus.
You can even set up lighting systems that adjust throughout the day. When people first arrive at work in the morning and need to wake up, you can use blue or white lights. As workers wind down and prepare to return home, you can switch to warmer colors and a softer intensity.
Think About Energy Efficiency
Although computers, heating systems, and other electrical appliances use significantly more power, your lighting systems can still consume an appreciable amount of energy each year. To save money and support the environment, consider installing LED bulbs and energy-efficient light fixtures. For example, some lighting systems have timers or can sense occupants. In turn, these features help them to significantly reduce energy consumption.
Avoid Natural Light in Certain Areas
While our screens appear to be incredibly bright, they pale in comparison to the sun. Natural lighting works best in meeting rooms and shared spaces that don’t generally involve any computer usage. In an office, natural lighting needs to be minimized. At the very least, install shades so that workers can adjust the lighting level as needed.
Top Lighting Recommendations for Your Business
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), offices must be adequately lit. However, OSHA also recommends protecting against hazards, such as glare from natural light and high contrast. This can be done by installing blinds, using diffused light, and changing the orientation of a worker’s desk.
If you don’t have the budget to replace your fluorescent lights, there are ways you can make the room warmer and more relaxing. For example, a fluorescent light filter can decrease the amount of blue spectrum light so that the lighting feels more natural.
Ultimately, the most important thing is choosing the right lighting style for each space. Typically, this means avoiding harsh or dim lighting. Work areas should be better lit than areas that are used for congregating or relaxing. For an avant-garde approach, invest in a system that adjusts the light’s warmth and intensity to mimic natural circadian rhythms.
Schedule a Consultation To Review Your Lighting Systems
If you are uncertain about which lighting system makes the most sense for your business, we can help. Our team can analyze your existing systems and determine the best way to maximize your employee productivity. We offer custom lighting systems for factories, offices, medical complexes, industrial facilities, apartment buildings, and more. For help with your Orlando lighting, give us a call today. Don’t put up with any malarky, call Mister Sparky!
