Optimal and most suitable lighting “color” for education of facilities 3000K-5000K?

[Abi F.]

Hi everyone!

I work for an educational facility in South Florida and a question arised about which color lighting is optimal or most suitable for classroom learning environments 3000k/3500/4000K/5000K?.
We did some research and didn’t quite find any institutions with solid empirical data based on studies. We looked at SRFEF and our Design Criteria. However, they mostly focused on “lumens” and not “color”.

Would really appreciate some advice on this topic based on a solid foundation and research ️thanks!!

 

[zbang]

You're asking here?

Some studies suggest the cooler end is better for alertness and learning, and if there's already a lot of natural light, you may want to come close to that.

A very quick search turned up-

How Color Temperature Effects Productivity in the Classroom :: StageSpot

Classroom lighting can be an overlooked variable for children and adults’ success in school. However, studies have shown that the quality of lighting – the good, the bad, and the ugly – not only affects the student’s ability to clearly see the white/black board, it also vastly impacts the...

www.stagespot.com

How to Choose Classroom Lighting: The Definitive Guide – Upward Lighting: Outdoor Architectural Led Lighting Manufacturer in China

upwardlighting.com

and

Cold and warm coloured classrooms. Effects on students’ attention and memory measured through psychological and neurophysiological responses

Mounting evidence indicates that the colour hue of classroom walls influences student performance. However, the effect of this design parameter has no…

www.sciencedirect.com

Strangely enough, AFAICT the IES doesn't have any suggestions on color temperature.

 

[Abi F.]

Thank you, appreciate the reply!!
“There is wisdom in the multitud of counsel”

We did some research on the topic but found very few strong resources had a final say.
Lots of information found on brightness/lumens.
Appreciate your time!

 

[James L]

I've revamped the lighting in 3 small schools, one 3000k, one 4000k and one 5000k

As far as I can tell, it only matters to the adults.

 

[Abi F.]

Never heard of our kids complaining,
Nevertheless, we have some higher-ups requesting proof of studies to show which type of Lighting is more effective for that type of learning environment.
My Personal experience through many years of Lighting retrofits, from Incandescent, T12s, T8s to LEDs, have been 4K.
Lower colors seem to be more effective for other purposes other than school activities.
However, I need to present proof of it, not personal motives.

 

[Fred B]

I think color is only a piece of the picture. Also need to consider the lumens at the desk level metered to recommended optimal 300-500 lux. Number of lights and color will effect the ultimate outcome. Old lighting types were easy as we all knew what a 45 watt bulb would look like, but now with the the LED and multiple color gradients and "wattage equivalent" (that is almost irrelevant), it becomes more difficult to design a lighting layout.

PS also elevation of lights above where you want the optimal light to be will effect the quality.

 

[Knightryder12]

I know the school system here in Florida that we do work for wants 4K and about 50 to 55 footcandles on the desk.

 

[Abi F.]

Thank you,

Yes that’s what we usually do.
4K in classroom and 5k hallways, corridors, Cafeteria, media Center, etc.
40 footcandles is acceptable in classrooms, 50-55 all other locations.

The dilema is, why 4K is better than 3Kin classrooms? And we need to back up our response.

ZBang had some articles that were very helpful.

 

[zbang]

This really seems like a question that the school system illumination engineers should answer ("tell me what you want and I'll install it").

 

[Abi F.]

Our Master specs, and Design Criteria team has 4K as a requirement in classrooms. They also have been instructed to supply documentation backing their decision.
We’re working together to find, as I mentioned before, solid information to back it up.

 

[James L]

Our Master specs, and Design Criteria team has 4K as a requirement in classrooms. They also have been instructed to supply documentation backing their decision.
We’re working together to find, as I mentioned before, solid information to back it up.

The problem is you're going to find very conflicted information.

For instance, you'll find information saying cooler temperatures are better for alertness and studying, etc

Light Impacts Classroom & Education | TCP Lighting

Research has shown many benefits of natural light in the classroom, including more effective learning, and less distraction. Learn more.

www.tcpi.com

But you will also find information saying that blue light disrupts the internal clock (circadian rhythm) in children. Which probably means they show up to school more tired, which means you are lessening their alertness. I believe this one is focused more on evening light, But it doesn't specify what time that actually is. It also said the results in children varied greatly.

Melatonin suppression and sleepiness in children exposed to blue‐enriched white LED lighting at night - PMC

Light‐induced melatonin suppression in children is reported to be more sensitive to white light at night than that in adults; however, it is unclear whether it depends on spectral distribution of lighting. In this study, we investigated the effects ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

This one talks about the effects of blue light and just general health risks.

Are LED lights safe for human health?

Are LED lights safe for human health?

health.ec.europa.eu

*** If *** I were going to make the case for 4000k lighting, I would probably center it around the idea that warmer temperatures relax people too much, while cooler temperatures add some risks I don't want.

 

[jim dungar]

Back in the days of fluorescent, wasn't the common lamp the simple 'cool white'? I can't remember any school done in 'warm white'.

 

[Abi F.]

I agree with your statement.

At the end, School Board is going to have make the call based on what the majority reports lead to.
So far my understanding is that 4K is somewhere in the middle between the LED selections we have at hand.

Thank you you all for your time and information, greatly appreciate it!!

 

[Abi F.]

Back in the days of fluorescent, wasn't the common lamp the simple 'cool white'? I can't remember any school done in 'warm white'.

That’s right, I’ve been working with education facilities for the last 24 years. Even with new Construction Engineers have opted for brighter Illumination.

 

[James L]

Back in the days of fluorescent, wasn't the common lamp the simple 'cool white'? I can't remember any school done in 'warm white'.

735 or 740
Maybe 835/840

 

[jim dungar]

735 or 740
Maybe 835/840

Maybe when first built. When replacement time came, purchasing usually went with cheapest F40CW they could find.

 

[Knightryder12]

Doesn't the school system you are doing this work for already have specifications for lighting? Or are you presenting information for either them or you to update the school systems specifications?

 

[Abi F.]

Yes we already have our Master Specs requiring 4K in classroom areas.
However, there is one Board member wanting to change the specs back to 3500K as a personal preference. We need convincing proof that level of light is not adequate for the students and the learning environment.

In the conversation thread, there’s very good articles backing the choice for 4K.
Either way it goes, We’ve installed selectable LED Lighting that we could adjust acoordingly, so it would not be so hard to accommodate to change.

 

[winnie]

I recall reading a pop science book describing some studies on lighting where one set of studies concluded that slightly dimmer lights improved worker productivity, and a followup study concluded that brighter lights improved worker productivity, but the final study concluded that _changing_ the light level was the actual triggering factor.

I bet that there will be no conclusive information that 3.5K or 4K or 5K is better, but if you can arrange some way to allow the individual teachers to change the color temperature and brightness in their rooms then they will be happier. Of course when someone visits at night and sees the different colors from the outside they will be horrified

-Jonathan

 

[Abi F.]

Can’t please averyone

Like one of the comments said:
“Never heard the kids complaining”
It’s a grown-up thing