How to Design a Good Lighting System

How to Design a Good Lighting System

Residential and commercial properties require natural lighting during the day, which the windows can provide adequately. As the sky turns dark, a proper lighting system is what these structures require. It is also undeniably true that commercial buildings need a functional lighting design that works all day around without sudden breakdowns. Energy-efficient outdoor and indoor lighting design primarily focuses on improving the quality of the lights used on the structure. Lighting needs to be considered one of the most important additions to a new house since this system has to work to its full potential to keep the inhabitants in the light even during the dark hours. This design should be as important as any other detailed plan of the house. Let us take a closer look at how you can design a great lighting system for your new project.

How to Design a Good Lighting System

1. Identify the Requirements

Lighting installation could take time, but the design process is undoubtedly more time-consuming. A full understanding has to be gained regarding the functions of the lighting system so that you know what the requirements of the whole property are. The factors to be considered when setting the lights in a house are:

  • Illuminance
  • Glare
  • The mood of the space
  • Emphasis on the various objects
  • Things to remain hidden
  • Role of daylight
  • The shape of the space

2. Method of Lighting

The next most important thing to be considered is the delivery of light. The most common options include surface mounted, direct or indirect recessed, and well-lit up. These are simply the primary characteristics that can be tweaked for more effects, such as prismatic, mellow light, and low brightness. All these features of artificial lighting should be considered in such a way that they are minimized during daylight.

3. The Right Lighting Equipment

After choosing the method of lighting, you need to pick the most appropriate light source. Make sure to check the following attributes when selecting lighting equipment:

  • Light output
  • Lifetime
  • Color characteristics
  • Efficacy
  • Total input wattage
  • Compatibility with the electrical system
  • Surface brightness
  • Requirement for control gear
  • Light distribution
  • Finish
  • Size
  • Aesthetics
  • Thermal management
  • Accessibility of components

4. Lighting Parameters

When setting up a lighting system at your new house, you must calculate the parameters using any of the following three methods.

  • Manual calculation methods
  • Three-dimensional modeling
  • Visualization

How to Design a Good Lighting System

5. Control System

The light sources and fixtures affect the efficiency of a lighting installation, and so does the control system. When determining a control system, you should consider providing multiple switches to every light, especially if it is a huge room. The switches must be placed at the exit of a room, and a two-way switching can also be used to encourage turning off the lights when leaving the room. Smart lights can be used at your house to allow the sensors to turn the lights on and off whenever required. Timers, daylight controls, dimmer controls, and solar-powered lighting are other popular options.

𐌢