Commercial Lighting is one of the most important aspects of any commercial space, whether it is an office, a retail store, a restaurant, a hotel, or a warehouse.
It affects the mood, productivity, safety, and aesthetics of your space. It also impacts your energy consumption and maintenance costs. Therefore, choosing the right light levels for your commercial space is crucial for your success.
But how do you know what are the right light levels for your commercial space? How do you measure and compare different lighting options with the requirements of your budget and environment?
In this blog, we will answer these questions and provide some tips on how to choose the right light levels for your commercial space.
What Are Light Levels? How Are They Measured?
Light levels, also known as illuminance or illumination, are the amount of light that falls on a surface per unit area. They are measured in lux (lx) or foot-candles (fc). One lux is equal to one lumen per square meter, and one foot-candle is equal to one lumen per square foot. A lumen is a unit of luminous flux, which is the amount of light emitted by a source.
To measure light levels, you need a device called a lux meter or a light meter. This device has a sensor that detects the amount of light falling on it and displays it in lux or foot-candles. You can use a lux meter to measure the light levels in different areas of your commercial space and compare them with the recommended or required standards.
What Are The Recommended Or Required Light Levels For Different Commercial Spaces?
Different standards and guidelines recommend or require certain light levels for different commercial spaces. Some of the most common standards and guidelines are:
- The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) of North America.
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
- The American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
- The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 2005.
The table below shows some examples of the recommended or required light levels for different commercial spaces according to these sources:
| Commercial Space | Activity | Recommended or Required Light Level (lux) |
| Office | General office work | 300-500 |
| Office | Reading, writing, typing | 500-750 |
| Office | Drafting, graphic design | 750-1000 |
| Retail Store | General display | 300-500 |
| Retail Store | Jewelry, cosmetics | 750-1500 |
| Restaurant | Dining area | 150-300 |
| Restaurant | Kitchen | 500-750 |
| Hotel | Lobby | 200-300 |
| Hotel | Guest room | 100-200 |
| Warehouse | Storage area | 100-200 |
| Warehouse | Packing area | 300-500 |
These are just some examples of the recommended or required light levels for different commercial spaces. You can find more information on these by consulting with the team Tanlite, the leading manufacturer of commercial lighting near me, commercial pole lights, waterproof pool lights, modern outdoor wall lighting, used commercial lighting fixtures, outdoor lighting near me, sport court lighting, and retrofit lighting.
How To Choose The Right Light Levels For Your Commercial Space?
Choosing the right light levels for your commercial space depends on several factors, such as:
- Your Goals And Objectives: What are you trying to achieve with your commercial lighting near me?
- Your Space Characteristics: What are the dimensions, layout, ceiling height, window size, and orientation of your space? How much natural daylight do you have? What are the colors and reflectance of your walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, and merchandise?
- Your Modern Outdoor Wall Lighting Options: What types of used commercial lighting fixtures, lamps, controls, and accessories do you have? What are their features, benefits, drawbacks, costs, and availability?
To choose the right light levels for your commercial space, you need to consider all these factors and balance them with your budget and preferences. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Use a lux meter to measure the existing light levels in your space and compare them with the recommended or required standards. Identify the areas that need more or less light and adjust accordingly.
- Use a lighting calculator or a software tool to estimate the light levels that you can achieve with different lighting options.
- Use a lighting simulation or a mock-up to visualize the effects of different lighting options on your space.
Consult team Tanlite for commercial pole lights, waterproof pool lights, modern outdoor wall lighting, used commercial lighting fixtures, outdoor lighting near me, sport court lighting, and retrofit lighting, to help you choose the right light levels for your commercial space.
How To Maintain The Right Light Levels In Your Commercial Space?
Once you have chosen the right light levels for your commercial space, you need to maintain them over time. Here are some tips on how to maintain the right light levels in your commercial space:
- Monitor and measure the light levels in your space periodically and make sure they are consistent and adequate.
- Clean and replace your lighting fixtures, lamps, controls, and accessories regularly and according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Upgrade and retrofit your lighting system as needed and according to the latest technologies and trends.
Wrapped Up!
Choosing the right light levels for your commercial space is not an easy task, but it is a worthwhile one. Lighting can make a big difference in your commercial space, affecting its appearance, functionality, comfort, safety, and profitability.
By following the tips in this blog, you can choose the right light levels for your commercial space and enjoy the benefits of good commercial lighting near me.