The Power of Advanced LED Illumination and Lighting Control

Numerous studies have focused on the correlation between human cognitive performance and artificial lighting conditions. In all cases, the effects of light were significant, ranging from increased energy and productivity to reduced stress.

Several of these studies focused on the effects of changing illuminance and color temperature, two key metrics in lighting design and evaluation. Illuminance is measured in lux and indicates the amount of light that falls on a surface. It’s affected by distance and the light source. 

The color temperature (CCT) is measured in Kelvin and indicates the warmth or coolness of the light. For instance, a low Kelvin temperature, in the range of 2700K to 3000K, produces a warm and intimate, yellowish-orange light. At 5000K and above, that light becomes a bright, cool, blue-toned hue that’s ideal for concentrated tasks. 

Or is it?

Here, we’ll explore what the research tells us and how today’s full-spectrum LED technology and lighting control are supporting healthier, more productive lifestyles. 

SEE ALSO: How to Adapt Your Lighting Design for Work, Leisure, and Relaxation

Research Backed by Science

While there are nearly limitless articles addressing the changes that light brings to the human body, not all are supported by scientific evidence. Here, we’ll explore research backed by science, demonstrating how changing CCT and illuminance impact cognitive performance, memory, mood, alertness, and reaction time.

International Journal of Optics

A study was conducted on participants using an automatic LED lighting device, which developed three lighting conditions: two illuminance conditions (dim at 400 lux and bright at 1,000 lux) and three CCT conditions (3,000K, 5,000K, and 7,000K). 

The results concluded that working memory performance was the best when the lighting was set at 1,000 lux, 5,000K. This translates to a brighter light, the color of cool daylight with a slight blueish hue. Researchers found that this lighting creates an optimal environment for working memory performance. 

Journal of Environmental Psychology

This study involved 100 participants assessed in different light conditions and tested for cognitive performance and stress responses. The results determined that lighting conditions significantly influenced cognitive performance and physiological stress markers in the following ways:

• 3000K, 100 lux, which produces a warm, dim light, effectively reduces stress markers, such as heart rate and skin conductance level. 
• 7000K, which produces cooler lighting, was associated with greater cognitive performance and reduced fatigue. Researchers suggest that this may be because the light resembles natural daylight, which has a stimulating effect on the brain. 

Journal of Research in Health Sciences

This systematic review examined articles published from 2000 to 2019. Researchers found that higher color temperature and higher intensity light suppressed melatonin, the hormone closely tied to the sleep-wake cycle. 

This type of light also corresponded with higher consciousness, increased attention, and faster reaction time. Researchers concluded that light is a potent modulator of cognitive tasks, and the best light for regulating biological, psychological, and cognitive processes is bright daylight.

Design Decisions to Promote Mental Clarity and Productivity 

So, what do these scientific studies show us in relation to lighting design in the home environment? In the U.S., where, according to a Gallup poll, the hybrid workforce remains at over 50%, the proper lighting can have a substantial impact on our productivity levels. 

From creating an energy-boosting environment to establishing an evening ritual that encourages better sleep, tunable lighting prepares your home for increased productivity and more restful nights. 

At Vineyard Sound Integration, we partner with the leading manufacturers in lighting control and advanced LED systems, such as Ketra. Their natural light technology automatically adjusts a home’s lighting throughout the day, mirroring the changing intensity and color temperature of daylight. 

The bright white-blue of midday delivers light that promotes productivity. The warm amber glow of dusk tells your body it’s time to relax. To experience today’s remarkable lighting technology that’s transforming how we illuminate and experience our homes, contact Vineyard Sound Integration.