Why LED lighting is important in the winter

At this time of year, all schools should consider why LED lighting is important in the winter.

There’s very little daylight right now, so our lights are almost always on. However, many schools are unaware of the impact of harsh fluorescent lighting on their students (or electricity bills).

Here, we’ll take a look at why LED lighting is a great alternative, especially during the winter months, and the steps your school can take to use it to improve your learning environment.

Why is LED lighting so great?

LED lighting is a brilliant option for schools all-year-round. This innovative new system has lots of benefits you can’t ignore, including:

1. Energy efficiency

LED lighting was designed specifically to reduce our carbon footprint and cut electricity costs, and boy does it work!

From switching one classroom’s old fluorescent bulbs to brand new LED panels, you could save a whopping 67% on energy costs. That’s around £325, just for one room!

This is great news for schools as the switch to LED lighting basically pays for itself. If you spread the cost by leasing the equipment, the money you save in bills can go straight towards implementing this switch and you may even have some change left over!

2. Improved learning environment

Almost everyone has been in a classroom where there’s a flickering fluorescent bulb that’s on the brink of failing completely.

This flickering, along with the harsh unnatural lighting, can cause irritability, a lack of concentration and can contribute to poor academic performance.

LED warm and cool whites are much more conducive to learning. The spherical beam makes the room brighter and doesn’t cause any distractions. In fact, studies show that students have a 33% increase in productivity after LED lights are installed. Who could turn that down?

3. Helping students stay healthy

Research has proven that fluorescent lights cause visual difficulties, nutritional problems and chronic fatigue among staff and students. So, it’s surprising that the majority of UK schools still use them – especially when there’s a cost-effective alternative.

4. Less maintenance

Fluorescent lights are very delicate and prone to breaking. Add to that a maximum 2.5-year lifespan, and you can imagine the amount of maintenance and parts required to keep a fluorescent lighting system running.

However, LED lights have a lifespan of up to ten years and need little-to-no maintenance throughout that time. The only maintenance required is during installation, and your supplier should do this for you.

But why is LED lighting important in the winter?

In winter, students are exposed to harsh fluorescent bulbs for longer, so are more likely to develop the adverse side effects we mentioned earlier.

It also doesn’t help that the contrast between outside (where it’s dark) and inside (where it’s unnaturally light) is stronger. This can actually damage your students’ eyes through unnecessary straining, weakening their sight at a pivotal stage in their development.

Reviewing why LED lighting is important in the winter because it gives you time to adapt the learning environment before the exam season begins. Get them fitted on a weekend or an INSET day and the switch doesn’t even have to disrupt any lessons. It’s the perfect solution!

LED lighting is important in the winter because it is when the adverse effects of fluorescent lighting are felt the most. Make a change now and see the positive effects on both your staff and your students.

Discover your LED lighting options by talking to a member of our team today.