Circular lighting focuses on being energy efficient, as well as being sustainable, and it is an element of lighting design that is becoming more popular in the workplace. With more businesses looking to minimise their carbon footprints, this type of lighting offers a compelling solution to helping them meet those goals. If you are looking to incorporate sustainable lighting in your place of work, here are some tips to get started.
Circular Lighting Explained
For decades, incandescent bulbs were the default technology for illuminating a wide range of spaces. The problem with this was that these bulbs were not very efficient when it came to energy use, and once they reached the end of their life cycle, they were often disposed of in landfill sites. Not only are they made with non-biodegradable materials, but some types of bulbs also contain toxic substances that can leech into the ground and cause pollution.
To combat this, a new way of thinking about lighting became essential. The circular concept involves lighting designed with sustainability in mind and includes using parts that can be reused or recycled once they can no longer function. Modern fittings also make use of LED bulbs, which use far less electricity to power than traditional incandescent bulbs.
Using Circular Systems in the Workplace
One quick way to move to eco-friendly lighting in the workplace is to simply have LED conversions as a replacement for older styles. Not only will you save energy, but it also means lower energy costs, and you won’t have to pay out continually for replacement bulbs, thanks to the longer lifespan of LED technology.
Modular Systems
Modular lighting is also becoming a popular method of lighting workplaces. This sees one lighting fixture perform many different functions. For example, you can change the light fittings for different styles, all using the original base fitting and saving the need to have new wiring installed. This gives workplaces the adaptability to change their lighting when and where required. For example, you might want a bright space in an office to help staff focus or use decorative, ambient lighting to make a design statement when people enter a building.
When choosing new light fixtures, look for those that use recyclable components as well as those that can be replaced. That way, your lighting can be repaired if needed rather than requiring the purchase of a new fixture.
Smart Controls
Another way in which sustainable lighting can be implemented is through connection to smart controls, such as Inventronics’ HubSense. This means that lighting can be turned on and off as and when it is required, rather than running unnecessary lights that waste energy. Some types of lighting can also be fitted with sensors so that they turn off and on depending on whether people are in the room.
Health and safety in the workplace are always top priorities, but did you know that your lighting can also be designed to improve staff well-being? By using bulbs that can be dimmed when needed, as well as those that emit light in a way that replicates natural light levels, you can create a comfortable workplace that helps people maintain a healthy circadian rhythm, contributing to healthy sleep patterns.
Remanufacturing
The concept of Remanufacturing is quickly gaining in popularity, breathing new life into old fittings, reducing waste, and significantly reducing costs by reusing existing materials. It also appeals to environmentally conscious consumers, boosting the company’s reputation for sustainability. Additionally, it helps in preserving historical and architectural integrity in older buildings, adding a unique value to your services.
Conclusion
By making the change to circular systems in the workplace, not only are you helping your business to become more environmentally friendly, but you will also save money in the long term with lower energy costs and reduced expenditure on replacement bulbs and fittings. To make the process easier, it is a good idea to partner with suppliers who specialise in sustainable lighting, as they will already have circular principles as part of their core operations. They will also offer services such as routine maintenance to ensure your lighting is performing at its best.