Appearing in the right light: Implementing human centric lighting in your smart home

The typical office routine is something you can relate to: You go into the office early and don't leave until the evening. Throughout the day, you are exposed to artificial light while sitting at your desk and even at home in the evening during dinner, artificial light sources continue to illuminate your surroundings. This is especially noticeable during winter, when you are spending the entire day indoors and are exposed to artificial lighting. However, there is a technology that allows you to create natural lighting conditions by using artificial light sources. This technology is related to Human Centric Lighting (HCL). Find out what this innovation is all about and which benefits you can enjoy by using Human Centric Lighting.

1. Background information: What is Human Centric Lighting?

The term Human Centric Lighting (abbreviation: HCL) basically already explains what this technology is about. The entire concept is about recreating lighting conditions, which reflect human needs and natural phenomena. When defining Human Centric Lighting (HCL), the following aspects should be considered:

• The HCL lighting concept imitates the natural light intensity from sunrise to sunset.
• In this way, artificial light replicates the natural daily cycle, also known as the circadian rhythm.
• The goal is to support the human internal, biological clock.

2. Features: What characteristics define Human Centric Lighting (HCL)?

The idea of recreating natural light in an artificial way may sound contradictory at first. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the unique features that characterize human-centric lighting systems:

• The development of HCL-technology was inspired by natural daylight.
• Throughout the course of a day, the colour, intensity, and temperature of the light change naturally.
• During daytime, roughly form 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, the sunlight shines brightly in a cold, white tone with a high blue component.
• In the evening, starting around 6:00 pm, the sunlight transitions to a dimmer, warmer tone with a pronounced red component.

The following graphic illustrates how natural light changes throughout the day:

3. Impact of HCL: How does Human Centric Lighting affect people?

The realization of human-oriented lighting requirements by using HCL systems involves a dynamically adjustment of lighting conditions. But what is the primary reason for implementing HCL lighting, and what is the intended outcome behind it?

• The influence of human centered lighting has a positive effect on both physical and mental well-being.
• The biological effect of sunlight on the human body is also referred to as the "melanopic effect".
• This type of lighting helps people reconnect with their natural biorhythm and inner clock.
• Bright, natural light during the day activates your inner drive and vitality. It makes individuals feel stronger and more energised.
• Additionally, bluish light can help reduce lethargy and drowsiness.
• The influence of cool light also has a positive or activating effect on concentration and performance.
• In contrast, natural darker light in the evening has the opposite effect. Both the body and mind begin to relax.
• The warm light helps to shift from an active state to a relaxed mode.
• Furthermore, the reddish light stimulates the production of the hormone melatonin, which increases sleepiness.
• Consequently, HCL lighting also supports restful sleep.

4. Application: Where can Human Centric Lighting (HCL) be used at home?

The effect of the natural day-night rhythm on people’s mental and physical health is huge. Therefore, it is important to discuss, in which rooms it makes sense to implement HCL lighting within your home? In general, it can be beneficial to install human-centric lighting in every room:

• In the morning, blue-toned light in the kitchen can boost your activity levels while you are preparing breakfast. When you are cooking dinner in the evening, red-toned under relaxing light helps keep your mood calm and steady.
• Enjoy your cooked dinner at the dining table under reddish light. The warm glow ensures that your body remains relaxed.
• End your day in the living room with dimmed, reddish lighting. Warm HCL light supports the relaxation you need.
• Even in the bedroom, where lights are often used briefly, the lighting should align with the natural day-night rhythm. Bright light is an advantage in the morning after getting up, while dimmer light is ideal just before bedtime. HCL lamps automatically adjust to these lighting conditions.
• The same applies to the bathroom. Take advantage of the HCL concept here as well to support your biorhythm. In the morning, HCL lights shine brightly and coolly. In the evening, they provide warm and dim lighting.
• Do you have your own office at home? Install innovative HCL lights into your workspace. Cool, blue-toned light enhances your focus and boosts productivity during working hours.

Apart from the positive effects on mental and physical health, human centric lighting is also a design component in modern interior design. The pictures show, how your home will appear in different colour temperatures.

5. Anwendung: In welchen Branchen oder öffentlichen Einrichtungen kann man Human Centric Lighting einsetzen?

In addition to private use, you can also establish human-centred lighting in public buildings. The following sectors are particularly well-suited for its application:

• Offices and administrative buildings: Use bright blue light to boost the activity and human performance of your employees.
• Schools: Establish HCL lighting with cool light in schools and improve the well-being and concentration of pupils.
• Production and logistics: Install HCL lamps in manufacturing areas to increase the productivity of your employees.
• Hospitals and care homes: Use HCL lamps here to improve the well-being of residents and staff with cool light during the day and warm light in the evening.
• Hotels: Install HCL light sources in the rooms of your hotel and support a pleasant and healthy atmosphere for your guests.

6. Realisation: Smart lighting for the implementation of Human Centric Lighting

Finally, it is important to determine, which tools you need to realise Human Centric Lighting. Whenever you want to implement this naturally based illumination into your home, you will need certain equipment. For a working human centric lighting, the following products are necessary:

• Establish a smart home infrastructure in your house, flat or company. Use this digital system to regulate not only the smart home lighting, but all smart applications.
• Use the appropriate light sources. To enable this digital technology, you will also need the right smart home lights. For the desired HCL effect, LED lights will be necessary.
• As a central part of the building digitalization you should ensure that your overall digital setup that includes a powerful router that constantly provides a stable internet connection via Wi-Fi.
• Connect the network and the smart lights via a control device. In most cases, a tablet is used for this.

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