Biophilic lighting is a lighting design concept that seeks to mimic the natural light patterns and cycles experienced in nature, in an indoor setting. The goal is to create a harmonious and healthier environment that connects people with the natural world and promotes well-being. This type of lighting typically involves adjusting the intensity, colour temperature, and distribution of light to align with the circadian rhythm, the 24-hour biological cycle that regulates sleep and wakefulness in living organisms.
Biophilic lighting can be achieved through various means, such as:
Dynamic control of light intensity, colour temperature, and distribution to imitate natural daylight conditions.
Use of tunable white LED lights that can adjust colour temperature throughout the day.
Incorporation of natural elements such as plants, water features, and materials like wood, stone, and glass into the lighting design.
Designing lighting schemes that highlight patterns, textures, and shapes found in nature.
In addition to promoting well-being, biophilic lighting has been shown to have positive impacts on mood, productivity, and cognitive function.
biophilic lighting is becoming increasingly popular, especially in the field of architecture, interior design, and lighting design. With the rise of awareness about the impacts of lighting on human health and well-being, more and more designers and building owners are recognizing the benefits of incorporating biophilic principles into their lighting designs.
In addition, advances in lighting technology have made it easier and more cost-effective to implement biophilic lighting, which has further increased its popularity. LED lights, for example, offer high energy efficiency, long lifespan, and the ability to dynamically control colour temperature and intensity, making them well-suited for biophilic lighting applications.
The trend towards biophilic design in general, which encompasses not only lighting but also other elements such as indoor plants, natural materials, and connections to the outdoors, is also contributing to the popularity of biophilic lighting. As people seek to create healthier and more sustainable environments, biophilic lighting is seen as a key tool in achieving these goals.
The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in the UK were introduced in 2018 and require landlords to ensure that their properties have a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E or higher before they can be let to new tenants or renewals to existing tenants.
As of April 1, 2023, the MEES regulations will be updated to require a minimum EPC rating of D for new tenancies and renewals. This means that landlords must ensure their properties have an EPC rating of D or above before they can let them to new tenants or renewals.
Furthermore, from April 1, 2025, the MEES regulations will be updated again to require a minimum EPC rating of C for new tenancies and renewals.
These regulations apply to all privately rented properties in England and Wales, including domestic and non-domestic properties. There are some exemptions to the regulations, such as certain listed buildings or properties where it is not technically feasible to make the necessary improvements, but these exemptions are limited.
Landlords who fail to comply with the MEES regulations may be subject to financial penalties, with fines of up to £5,000 for domestic properties and up to £150,000 for non-domestic properties.
How can buildings be upgraded to meet the minimum EPC rating of D?
There are several ways that buildings can be upgraded to meet the minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D:
Install energy-efficient lighting: Upgrading to LED lighting is a simple and effective way to reduce energy consumption and improve the energy efficiency of a building. You can also retrofit old lights with LEDs to be extra environmentally friendly.
Improve insulation: Insulating walls, floors, and roofs can help to reduce heat loss and improve the thermal efficiency of a building.
Upgrade heating systems: Replacing old and inefficient heating systems with newer, more energy-efficient models can significantly improve a building’s EPC rating.
Install renewable energy technologies: Installing solar panels or other renewable energy technologies can help to reduce energy consumption and improve the EPC rating of a building.
Improve air tightness: Improving the air tightness of a building can help to reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency.
Upgrade windows and doors: Installing double or triple-glazing and draught-proofing windows and doors can help to reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency.
Consider low-carbon heating options: Consider low-carbon heating options such as heat pumps or district heating systems.
As of April 1, 2023, the MEES regulations will require a minimum EPC rating of D for new tenancies and renewals. From April 1, 2025, the minimum EPC rating requirement will be increased to C. Commercial landlords who fail to meet these requirements may face financial penalties and may be unable to lease their properties to tenants. EIG recently reported that A quarter of London’s commercial stock will be ‘unlettable’ from April following their research in September 2022 EG INVESTIGATION: Landlords face £16bn EPC time bomb
While it is possible that some commercial buildings in inner London may not meet the required EPC ratings, making them “unlettable,” the extent of this issue will depend on various factors, such as the age and condition of the buildings, the type of heating and cooling systems they have, and the availability of energy-efficient upgrades. It is recommended that landlords and building owners take steps to assess their properties’ EPC ratings and take measures to improve their energy efficiency to comply with the MEES regulations.
The above list is just a few examples of the many measures that can be taken to improve the energy efficiency of a building and meet the minimum EPC rating of D. It is recommended to hire a qualified energy assessor to assess the building and provide recommendations on the most effective ways to improve its energy efficiency.
Should you need help upgrading to a new LED lighting system Contact Us Alternatively should you wish to retrofit your existing lighting system with the latest LED technology check out our sister website revitalite.co.uk
In 2023, it is expected that LED linear lighting will continue to be a popular choice for commercial lighting applications due to its energy efficiency, versatility, and long lifespan. Some of the trends in commercial LED linear lighting for 2023 include:
Increased focus on sustainability: With the growing emphasis on sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of buildings, LED linear lighting is expected to play a significant role in reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions in commercial spaces. This can include refurbishing or retrofitting older fittings with the latest LED technology to support the circular economy.
Advancements in lighting technology: LED lighting technology continues to evolve, and 2023 is likely to see further advancements in areas such as colour rendering, tuneable white, and wireless control, among others. This type of lighting is really for the wellbeing of people using the space being lit. Typically the lights are programmed to mimic the natural variations in light intensity and colour temperature that occur throughout the day, with cooler, bluer light in the morning and warmer, redder light in the evening.
Integration with other building systems: LED linear lighting is expected to become increasingly integrated with other building systems, such as lighting control systems, building management systems, and the Internet of Things (IoT), to improve energy efficiency and enhance the user experience.
Aesthetic designs: LED linear lighting is becoming more versatile, with an increasing range of designs, shapes, profiles and finishes available to meet the needs of different commercial spaces.
Enhanced functionality: LED linear lighting is expected to become more functional, with features such as adjustable colour temperature, dimming capabilities, and improved optics becoming increasingly common to improve energy efficiency and wellbeing.
Modular lighting: Modular lighting systems offer several advantages over traditional lighting systems. They are highly customisable, allowing users to create unique lighting arrangements that meet their specific needs. They are also easy to install and maintain, as individual modules can be easily swapped out or replaced as needed to help support the circular economy. Additionally, modular lighting systems can be more energy-efficient than traditional lighting systems, as users can add or remove modules as needed to optimise their lighting output for their specific needs.
Overall, the trend in commercial LED linear lighting in 2023 is expected to be towards more energy-efficient, versatile, and aesthetically pleasing lighting systems that are integrated with other building systems and technologies.
The circular economy is an economic system in which resources are kept in use for as long as possible, extracting the maximum value from them before recovering and regenerating them. It is based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. The goal of a circular economy is to reduce the use of natural resources, minimise waste and pollution, and create economic growth and jobs.
A circular economy approach would also consider the entire lifecycle of a building, from design and construction through to operation and end-of-life, with a focus on minimising waste and pollution, and maximising the use of resources. This can include designing buildings that are energy-efficient and use renewable energy sources, as well as incorporating closed-loop systems, such as using waste heat from building systems to heat water or grow food.
How this applies to the construction industry.
In the building trade, a circular economy approach would involve designing buildings, infrastructure and construction materials that can be easily reused, refurbished, or recycled at the end of their useful life. This can include using sustainable and renewable materials, designing buildings that can be easily adapted and retrofitted, and incorporating systems for recovering and reusing waste materials.
A circular economy approach would also consider the entire lifecycle of a building, from design and construction through to operation and end-of-life, with a focus on minimizing waste and pollution, and maximizing the use of resources. This can include designing buildings that are energy-efficient and use renewable energy sources, as well as incorporating closed-loop systems, such as using waste heat from building systems to heat water or grow food.
Additionally, circular economy in building trade also includes a product-as-a-service approach, where the materials and components of a building are leased rather than sold, allowing them to be easily replaced or upgraded when necessary, and ensuring that they are used efficiently throughout their entire lifecycle.
a circular economy approach to the building trade aims to create a more sustainable and resilient built environment by reducing the environmental impact of buildings and ensuring that resources are used in an efficient and sustainable way throughout the entire lifecycle of building products and infrastructure.
How this applies to office design.
In office design, a circular economy approach would involve designing spaces that are adaptable, flexible and modular, and that can be easily reconfigured or repurposed over time, rather than being built for a specific use. This can include designing buildings that are energy-efficient, using sustainable and renewable materials, and incorporating systems for recovering and reusing waste materials.
Additionally, office design can also include the use of furniture, fixtures and equipment that can be easily repaired, refurbished, and recycled at the end of their useful life. This can include using modular furniture systems, which can be easily reconfigured, as well as using materials that are easily recyclable.
A circular economy approach to office design would also encourage the use of shared resources, such as shared workspaces, meeting rooms, and common areas, which can help to reduce the overall environmental impact of the office and make more efficient use of resources.
How the circular economy applies to Lighting.
In the context of lighting, a circular economy approach would involve designing lighting products and systems that are energy-efficient and durable, that can be easily repaired or refurbished, and that use materials that can be easily recycled or repurposed at the end of their useful life. Replacing older lighting systems such as fluorescent tubes with LED technology, which is energy-efficient and has a long lifespan, as well as designing lighting systems that can be easily upgraded or retrofitted to improve energy efficiency over time. This is why Synergy Creative has created Revitalite as a dedicated retrofitting lighting service.
Additionally, the circular economy approach would also consider using closed-loop systems, where the waste materials from one process are used as inputs for another, such as using waste heat from lighting systems to heat buildings or recycling the materials from end-of-life lighting products to create new products.
In summary, a circular economy approach to lighting aims to reduce the environmental impact of lighting and ensure that resources are used in an efficient and sustainable way throughout the entire lifecycle of lighting products.
For more information about our new retrofitting lighting service please visit revitalite.co.uk
