Here’s one thing many office workers hate with a passion: fluorescent strip lights.
The light they give off is harsh and feels unnatural.
It can seemingly take an age for them to turn on.
When something goes wrong, they flicker and buzz annoyingly.
There’s a recognition in light manufacturing that fluorescent strip lighting is loathed by many.
General Electric’s GE Lighting division stopped manufacturing fluorescent bulbs at the end of 2016, concentrating on LEDs and halogens.
Its Chief Operating Officer John Strainic told reporters a fluorescent bulb had become “the light bulb that everybody loves to hate”.
Mr Strainic said they had become crowded out of the marketplace by incandescent bulbs and LED lightbulbs as LED technology becomes cheaper.
There are now several LED strip bulb alternatives like the GE Bright Stik and some LED alternatives can mimic daylight.
Industry insiders are waiting to see if other major manufacturers follow GE’s lead.
So, if you still have fluorescent tubes in your office, what can you do?
Research the cost of replacing them. LED replacements will cost more to buy than fluorescent bulbs, but they are cheaper to run, last longer, and will be a good investment in the long term.
Look at the lighting design in your office – could your lighting be used better?
You can design offices to create distinct spaces even within an open-plan environment, and one of the key ways you can do that is by using effective lighting in different areas.
A conference area might benefit from targeted downlighters or a central feature light, a kitchen area will need brighter lighting than an informal rest area.
Fluorescent lighting can also cause glare problems for people using equipment like computers or light boxes – could your new design diffuse the light for those workers?
Looking for bright ideas for your office lighting design? We can help – we design, install, and maintain commercial lighting in South Wales and beyond. Have a chat with our friendly team on 0845 003 6856 and check out our services for commercial clients: /commercial-services/.