Healthcare professionals - this one's for you.

 
It’s simple, really. 

Patients can’t function without proper medical facilities.

Medical facilities can’t function without its staff. 
Its staff can’t function without adequate lighting.

Each element directly impacting the others.

The hustle and bustle inside hospitals and other healthcare facilities never ceases. Always expected to deliver the highest performance of work, these individuals carry heavy expectations with little to no room for error. Along with proper education, regular sleep regiment, a healthy lifestyle, and commitment to their career, effective lighting can directly impact the health of a hospital’s staff as well as its patients. In fact, it’s actually a critical component for successful healthcare facility. 

How so, you may ask?

Various studies have been conducted in which reveal the connection lighting has on the impact of human health and performance in healthcare settings. Here are some of the findings that reveal the positive results of lighting: 

1. Enables critical chemical reactions in the body

Sufficient lighting helps provide appropriate levels of Vitamin D to staff and patients. Exposure to light is critical for Vitamin D metabolism in the human body. Light radiation is absorbed directly by the body through the skin and stimulates chemical reactions in the blood and other tissues. 

2. Better performance of visual tasks 

Healthcare professionals have a variety of visual tasks to complete throughout their shift. Whether it’s charting, filling prescriptions, administering medication, or performing other critical patient-care tasks, specific-utility lighting is vital to produce the best results. 
 
3. Thermal management

Temperature is another factor that impacts the performance inside a hospital. These facilities need to be closely temperature-controlled to ensure the best environment for patients. With LED lighting, less heat is emitted and can be dialed into to maintain balance.

4. Improves adjustment to night-shift work among staff

Healthcare professionals typically have a much different scheduling than the typical 8-5. Therefore, their bodies must adapt to a different sleeping cycle to re-energize. Staff on the late night/early morning shifts are susceptible to decreased alertness, performance, and vigilance. Effective lighting is connected to helping staff carry themselves throughout the entirety of their workday. 

5. Lowers pain and alters mood

Appropriate amount of lighting is connected to reduces a patient’s physical pain as well as their psychological state.

6. Reduces depression among patients

For most individuals, hospitals are not the ideal place to spend a large amount of time. Therefore, patients can become lonely, discouraged, and even depressed. Connected to the aforementioned benefit, lighting is directly correlated to reducing these negative states among patients. 

7. Improving sleep and circadian rhythm

It may seem strange that the presence of light improves sleep quality, as most prefer sleeping in the dark. However, the light that falls on the retina controls the body’s circadian rhythm, which is responsible for synchronizing the body’s internal clock. Individuals consistently exposed to artificial bright lights have experienced substantial changes in sleep quality. 
 
8. Lessening agitation for dementia patients

Disruptive behavior of patients suffering from dementia is proven to significantly drop for residents that received constant light levels. Studies also show that exposure to bright lights in the morning reduce agitation, specifically for elderly dementia patients. 

9. Decreases length of hospital stay

Lastly, lighting was connected to how long individuals had to remain in healthcare facilities. Studies showed shorter stays for both males and females who underwent treatment in brightly lit rooms.

Despite these additional benefits, the overall advantage of having appropriate lighting in a high-risk work environment such as a hospital is plain to see. No matter the industry, effective lighting means a better working environment. With creating a custom LED lighting design, your business can have greater control, efficiency, and reliability. Our designers can consult with your business on specific elements your hospital needs and then can create a plan that saves money and improves quality.

So, healthcare professionals, when asking how you can better the lives of your staff and patients, take your facility’s lighting plan into consideration; and when you’re ready, we’ll be here to help. 

Find more on City Lighting Products' social channels!

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linkedin, Houzz, Yelp, and Glassdoor!

(Source: The Center of Health Design and Sib Lighting)

Commercial Lighting's Impact on Customers

Along with saving on energy consumption, adding to employee morale and productivity, and providing additional safety from accidents or criminal activity, adequate commercial lighting directly impacts your customers, and with that – your sales.

Specialized LED lighting designs push quality and efficiency to new heights. Study after study shows how lighting directly correlates with how shoppers perceive your business. Because of this, it is crucial to match your aesthetics to your brand. LED lights serve as the perfect method to finely-tune the atmosphere you desire.

Purchasing Behavior

Your business’ lighting strategy can influence all aspects of a customer’s purchasing behavior. Lighting can draw attention to a product, showcase the quality and features of the product, and even guide the customer to the register.

In a recent study done by Zumtobel, an Austrian lighting

manufacturing company, results show lighting can affect a person’s mood both positively and negatively. Because of this, it becomes incredibly important to match the target customer to your lighting strategy in order to create an appropriate emotional attachment to the brand. The study also showed accurate lighting connected to longer visits and more purchases made. Subject studies also correlated good lighting with cleanliness, quality, and order.

Commercial Lighting Tips

1. Avoid uniformly, high-brightness lighting. Instead, create a favorable, layered contrast of three lighting styles: ambient (general lighting), task (visually-aiding lighting), and accent (showcase lighting). 
2. It’s recommended to illuminate displays to 10x the level of the adjacent general lighting.
3. If you want to sell it, make it look good by correct color rendering. The use of warm colors brings customers a sense of familiarity. In addition, it’s been suggested that individuals purchase more when products are displayed under daylight, which can also be created through color rendering.  
4. Accent lighting can highlight new seasonal products or special offers through installing spotlights.
5. Brighten the areas in which you want to physically lead customers. Furthermore, select vertical lighting vs. horizontal, as this helps customers gain better understanding of the store layout.
6. Shelf lighting! Lower shelf levels encourage customers to linger, so built-in shelf lighting can help seal the deal.

With these tips aside, commercial lighting isn’t a one-size fits all. Knowing the unique temperament of your target audience and the lighting that best serves them can be what determines whether your customers make their way to the register, or to the exit.

If you want to see what lighting strategy will benefit your company, give us a call.

Find more on City Lighting Products' social channels!

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linkedin, Houzz, Yelp, and Glassdoor!

(Source: Greenbiz, Complete Electrical, Aesthetics, Get Deco, Lighting Equipment Sales, Lumastream, Graybar, Top Co. Indirect)

The Future of Lighting – 2018 Market & Design Trend Predictions

Lighting is a crucial component to life; whether personal or professional, adequate lighting has shifted from beneficial to essential.  

Significant changes have occurred just in the past ten years with the introduction of LED filaments and the development of violet LEDs. With many new developments on the horizon, the lighting innovation train doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

So, what is expected for the lighting industry in 2018?

According to a report from LEDinside, the LED market scale is expected to earn $32.72 billion in the upcoming year. In fact, the LED lighting penetration of the entire market is expected to grow from 22% to 63% by the year 2022.

Industrial, architectural, landscape, and commercial lighting all show signs of continuous improvements and progression in the market. Just in the last year, the stage lighting market brought in a total of $745 million and is predicted to continue that growth.

Yet with all these increases, the price of LED lighting options is actually predicted to decrease. More and more, individuals and businesses are realizing the benefits of LED: more efficient, higher color quality, longer lifespans, and easier to use. Because of this, LED products continuing to replace traditional lighting.

Large lighting companies are expected to launch stage lighting LED products with mono-color and multi-colored lights with high luminous intensity among other lighting advancements sometime within the next year.

With all the statistics aside, what design elements are going to be in high-demand this year?

Natural lighting seems to be the big trend for 2018. Fixtures with a nature-inspired, earthly feel will be largely sought after.

In addition, gold or metallic fixtures with a vintage feel are also trending. Pendant lamps bring an industrial chic feel with a vintage edge. Either brushed or polished, a warm copper or rose gold color is predicted to fill homes and businesses alike.

Overall, we'd say the status of LED lighting in 2018 is looking pretty bright.

Find more on City Lighting Products' social channels!

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linkedin, Houzz, Yelp, and Glassdoor!

(Source: LEDinside, Lux Review, Issuu, and Property24)

Christmas Lighting Trends for 2017

It’s the holiday season, which means traditions galore. But don’t let that stop you from making updates to your outdoor lighting plan this year. From adding more color in creative places to natural alternatives, here’s some great tips to lighten up your yard this December.

LEDs

Although there is more costs upfront when it comes to LED string lights, the savings you receive in energy and cost makes up for it in the long run. They last longer and use about 15% of the electricity that a traditional strand uses.  And LED’s don’t break easily, so you don't have to worry too much about the packing and rough assembly.

LED Colors: These have more of a pop of color as opposed to traditional lights, which have more of a hue.

White Lights: Edging the windows, doors, and roof outline with white lights will make the special features of your home stand out.

Falling Snowflakes: No matter the forecast, your home can be a winter wonderland at all times by suspending LED snowflakes from your trees.

Different Color Bushes: Strategically picking non-matching colors for your landscaping than your home will help to set each apart, adding to the overall illuminating factor.

“Natural” Alternatives

To make your lighting designs look more natural, (especially during the daylight hours), consider the more options that highlight nature around your home.

Garland: Using a pre-lit garland to outline your front porch, and/or decorate your outdoor banisters will bring class to your outdoor decorations. Don’t forget to hang up lighted wreaths on front doors and windows as well.

Lighted Trees: Fully outline your trees and shrubs with a string of lights, or opt for an artificial one and wrap the base in burlap. Various sizes make for an enchanted forest feel.

Rattan Spheres: Try hanging these from the porch or overhang, or even place a few in large vases or just coupled on the ground. These produce a soft glow and give your décor more texture.

Added Color

Lamp Posts: Adding an artificial lighted lamp post will turn your home into a Christmas cottage.

Candy Cane Colors: Draw some inspiration from your favorite minty treat and alternate red and white bulbs around your home for a more animated display that sets your home apart from your neighbors.

Lanterns: Flickering lighting from beautiful lanterns can be an easy and welcoming way to light up your walking paths.

Snowman: Let Frosty the Snowman be apart of the welcoming committee to your home.

Candles: Adding a candle in each window is the time-tested classic lighting display of the season.

Find more on City Lighting Products' social channels!

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Houzz, Yelp, and Glassdoor!

(Source:  Good Housekeepiong)

Green Initiatives That Will Save Your Warehouse Energy

Any warehouse manager or owner knows that their building consumes a significant amount of energy. But there’s a way to save some serious cash while maintaining workable conditions that your staff requires.  

1. Convert your lighting system over to LED

An inefficient lighting system can be the biggest energy consumers in big spaces such as warehouses due to high ceilings using standard highbay fixtures. Converting to led technology as opposed to common metal halide technologies for high bay fixtures, you will be able to save about 75% of energy and costs associated with these lights. Switching out fluorescent tubes in places such as offices or hallways can save nearly 30% of energy when making the switch to LED fixtures. This switch can be one of the most important energy saving tactics to implement.

2. Install skylights

There’s a way you don’t have to pay for lighting at all, and that’s by utilizing the natural light put forth by the sun. Reduce the amount of time you need any sort of light on in your warehouse by installing some skylights throughout the ceilings of your warehouse.

3. Inspect your commercial HVAC system

First and foremost, ensure that your HVAC system is maintained with regular tune ups and filter cleanings. Next, determine which rooms you need to cool/heat for how long each day – if a room is barely in use, turn off the heating/cooling to that room. Last, have the peace of mind to know that the HVAC is system is at the proper setting with a programmable thermostat.

4. Turn off the conveyor

Turning off your conveyor when not in use will surely save money, just like turning lights off when not in use. This goes for any machine that isn’t being used.

5. Conduct building commissioning

If your building isn’t being maintained on a basic level, then no matter what you do, there will be some sort of wasted energy somewhere. Hire a company to run a full audit.

Although addressing these issues and implementing the change may seem initially overwhelming or expensive it pays for itself once you see energy waste and overhead costs decrease after implementing these changes.

Find more on City Lighting Products' social channels!

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Houzz, Yelp, and Glassdoor!

(Source: My LED Lighting Guide)