Autumn is approaching at a great pace, when darkness comes sooner than you would like it to and we are increasingly using artificial lighting. Artificial lighting is especially important in the work or study area. In this article, you will learn how to choose the most suitable lighting for your needs, as well as about the expected changes in the energy labelling of light bulbs.

What to look for when choosing a light bulb?

The primary factor influencing the electricity consumption of a light bulb is its type. Once we lit homes with incandescent bulbs that emitted not only light but also a significant amount of heat, but now the most effective solution is LED bulbs. They consume 90% less electricity than incandescent bulbs, and there is a sufficient supply of LED bulbs on the market to replace different types of bulbs.

One of the most important parameters when choosing an LED bulb is the amount of light emitted, measured in lumens (lm). Lumens indicate how bright the bulb is or how much light it emits. For example, if you used a 60 Watt incandescent bulb in your table lamp, you can replace it with a LED bulb with a luminous flux of about 800 lumens. Remember – the more lumens, the brighter the bulb.

Another important criterion is the colour of light, measured in degrees Kelvin (K). Less degrees Kelvin mean yellower light, more degrees Kelvin – more bluish light. For living rooms and bedrooms, we recommend choosing yellow bulbs (2700–3200 K). For lighting the workplace and kitchen, we recommend choosing whiter bulbs (3200–4000 K). The colour of light can psychologically affect a person’s productivity – whiter light provides energy and promotes concentration, while yellowish light relaxes and creates a feeling of peace.

Also there are light bulbs, the light colour of which can be switched with a standard light switch, for example, from yellowish to whiter. Such lamps are suitable for rooms that simultaneously function as a lounge and as a study or work area. Manufacturers also offer LED bulbs, the light intensity of which can be changed from 100% to 30% with the help of a conventional light switch, thus obtaining dimmed atmosphere. And all this can be done with a conventional light switch – no need to pull wiring or install a dimmer. All you have to do is screw the bulb into the lamp and the room gets two different moods.

There are also more modern light bulbs, the colour and intensity of light of which can be changed using a smartphone app, such as Philips Hue Ambiance. There is no light colour limit for these bulbs, you can choose whatever you like, even a green colour.

Find the most suitable light bulbs for your home here.

Changes to bulb labelling are expected

Until now, the highest energy efficiency class for light bulbs was A+++, but from 1 September 2021, a new energy labelling will be introduced for them. The most significant change in the new energy labelling is a uniform A–G scale of energy efficiency classes for all groups of electrical appliances – washing machines, TV sets, light bulbs and other appliances.

The new labelling will also include a QR code to the database of labelling of the European Commission (EPREL). Scan it for more detailed information about the bulb.

It should be noted that you will not be able to see the new labelling of light bulbs so soon, as it must be placed on products available on the market only from 2021, so there is a transition period until 28 February 2023, during which you will still be able to see previous energy labelling.

The new energy labelling for light bulbs has three parameters:

1.  Bulb manufacturer and model.
2. The energy efficiency class of the bulb, indicated by a black arrow.
3. Bulb power consumption per 1000 operating hours.

The changes are not significant compared to the previous energy labelling of light bulbs – the scale of energy efficiency classes from A to G instead of A to D, and also a QR code.

How to light a workplace?

Workplace lighting is a very important factor that, if chosen improperly, can be tiring for eyesight, and if chosen correctly and thoughtfully, can improve work ability.

We recommend arranging the workplace or study area in a bright, sunny place. To get the most out of the sunlight, place the table near the window, just remember that in this case you should make sure that the window is equipped with blinds or curtains, or the amount of sunlight in the room can be controlled.

It will not be enough to illuminate the workplace or study area with the general lighting of the room, therefore we recommend that you also choose a table lamp that illuminates the work surface brighter. A table lamp needs an LED bulb of about 800 lumens and a light colour temperature of 3200 – 4000 K, which corresponds to white light.

Once a suitable light bulb has been selected for the workplace, care must also be taken of the table lamp and its position. If you are planning to buy a new lamp, we recommend choosing a lamp with adjustable height. It is important that the table lamp illuminates the entire table surface. In this way, there will be no discomfort to the eyes if it is necessary to “switch” from an unlit place to an illuminated one.

If you are a right-hander, place the table lamp on the left so that the shadow does not fall off as you write. For left-handers, the lamp should be placed on the right. Also, the height of the table lamp should be adjusted so that the light does not shine directly in your eyes, but on the work surface. If more detailed and thorough work is required, the table lamp can be adjusted closer to the table surface to illuminate the specific area more brightly.

Remember that it is recommended to turn on both the room lighting and the table lamp when working or studying, so as not to harm your eyesight. When you stop working at your desk, it is recommended to turn off the table lamp first and only then the ceiling lamp so as not to dazzle your eyes.