About Desk Lighting and Lighting the Office Environment

Often overlooked desk lighting solution. Providing employees (1) adjustable task desk lamps that has a directed beam which they can focus on tasks while also (2) changing the level of their office's standard ambient illumination are two of many changes business can make.

Task lamps provide a focused area of illumination onto specific reading materials or items. Paperwork projects require 5x more light than computer screen work. Correctly placed and adjusted next to the work area needing illumination, these task focused lamps offer improved clarity without casting glare and minimizing shadows. Different styles (desk base, edge clamp, wall clamp, or others) are available and models are designed utilizing any one of a variety of bulb types, such as compact fluorescent, halogen, incandescent, LED, full spectrum, or other specialized bulbs. 

Making ambient illumination changes in lighting the office environment . There are many ways of managing office lighting. If computer work is a primary function in the office, chances are the office lighting that has been installed in the ceiling is far too bright for that function, though it may be great for reading paperwork. Establishing some control over lowering that illumination can be managed in several ways. One way is by removing several bulbs from an overhead fluorescent tube fixture. Or, rewiring may allow for the installation of dimmer switches. In situations where there are more than one bank of lights in the room, arranging for different on-off switches controlling different banks may be an option. A complete redesign of building lighting may be the chosen course of action for some firms. And, while a mixture of natural light is optimal, too much light or glare from window light hitting the screen can be a serious problem. Having office blinds that can be easily adjusted by occupants at various times of the day is also important.

Taking the next steps in lighting the office environment. Selecting more energy efficient products, such as the type of light bulbs used, places control directly into the hands of consumers, not just corporations. One part of your business office or home action plan can include substituting existing bulbs and fixtures with light bulbs or light fixtures that have earned the ENERGY STAR qualification. These qualified products "use at least 2/3 less energy than standard lighting, generate 70 percent less heat, and last up to 10 times longer." The Energy Str website also states that over 450 pounds of emissions from power plants can be prevented over the lifetime of use for each qualified Energy Star CFL (compact fluorescent light) used. To gain the greatest financial savings, replace bulbs in areas where the lights are on the most often.

Desk Lamps Overview

Choosing the right light for desk lighting with a task lamp and other fixtures. Choosing correct compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs helps ensure satisfactory performance. The bulb's packaging should explain its use. Here are three tips as examples:

• Choose the color based on the environment. A CFL with a cooler color might be better for task lighting, rather than the warmer tone designed for home use.
• If the bulb is to be used in a recessed fixture, a CFL labeled "reflector" style is better to use than a standard CFL bulb.
• Make sure you select a CFL that is designed to work with the specific fixture you're planning, such as a dimmer vs. a 1 or 3-way switch vs. outdoors.

Streamlining your lighting to meet individual needs makes sense all around as it helps ensure human comfort and health, business efficiency, profitability, and environmental sustainability.