Sufficient light is important for the health of all living things – no matter the season. Full-spectrum LED bulbs can bring bright daylight directly into your indoor spaces. In this guide, we present what you need to consider when choosing the right light for you and your plants and what technical details you need to consider when using it.
Why do we need full spectrum light?
There are jobs where people work a lot or mainly indoors without daylight. If you belong to this group of people, then you should think about the right light in your workspace. Bright light promotes concentration and reduces fatigue.
But it is also worthwhile for everyone else to think about the light in their interiors. We tend to absorb less daylight, especially in the winter months, but this is important to increase our well-being.
Fortunately, there are now LEDs with full spectrum light. This comes closest to natural light. Its particularly high and sunlight-like color rendering (CRI 95) ensures a significantly improved perception of colors and supports human eyesight. This is worthwhile for everyone who carries out filigree or creative activities at work or as a hobby.
The right light as a pick-me-up
Since halogen lamps and incandescent lamps were banned from the market as power guzzlers, LEDs have gained in popularity. But here too there are many differences in design, sockets and light reproduction. It is important to know that the color temperature – also known as the light color – can be a crucial characteristic of a lamp. Before you decide to buy a lamp, you should consider what you want to use it for.
Most offer a warm white light (below 3300 Kelvin), some also a very white light (3300 to 5300 Kelvin). If the light color is more than 5000 Kelvin, one can speak of so-called daylight lamps. But only the full-spectrum daylight lamps with the seven colors of the rainbow offer a light that is similar to sunlight. Incidentally, in the case of lamps with 5000 Kelvin, this corresponds to the light color of the sun on the summer solstice – i.e. the day with the most hours of sunshine.
Advantages of full spectrum LEDs
LEDs are not only energy-efficient and durable, they also develop their full brightness immediately. But when it comes to color quality, there are also differences between LEDs that you absolutely have to be aware of. Conventional LEDs emit a very strong blue component and a low green and yellow component. In addition, there are strong deficits in the light blue and red range compared to the light spectrum of the sun. The latest developments in LED technology have made it possible to compensate for these deficits and bring the light closer to natural sunlight with full-spectrum LEDs. It has been proven that the high color rendering has a positive effect on the organism:
- The regeneration of the body is promoted and well-being increased
- Improved visual perception and depth of focus when reading, writing and working
- Better ability to concentrate and learn
- Revitalizing and mood-enhancing
- Better sleep through sufficient light intake during the day
Full spectrum LEDs as daylight lamps
Practical ceiling lights can be used as daylight lamps in factories, sales areas or even larger meeting rooms. These offer a lot of light in a large room. Of course, ceiling lights can also be integrated as daylight lamps in private rooms.
However, it becomes even more comfortable if you have several lamps in the room that you can use in a targeted manner. For example in the reading corner, above the dining table or in the living area. In the home office or in the office, a desk lamp should of course be a standard. There is also indirect lighting that brightly illuminates the desk. You should make sure that the lamp does not dazzle or is reflected in the computer monitor. If you want to find out more about the subject, we recommend that you also read the guide to lighting in the workplace.
How much light does my plant need?
As with all other living beings, plants also depend on light in order to be able to grow healthily. A plant in a completely dark room would not survive. Only the energy of sunlight makes photosynthesis and the growth of the plant possible. Here, too, not only the quantity but also the quality plays a role. Therefore, LEDs with full-spectrum light are also ideal as a light source for plants. You can even support the development process of the flowers directly by using the LEDs in a targeted manner. This is particularly advantageous during the flowering or growth phase, for example.
For the optimal development of the plants, time the LEDs with a switching cycle for day and night. So you can sit back and relax, knowing that your plant has enough light around the clock. However, it should also be noted that not every plant needs the same amount of light. Some even prefer the shade. In order to create the right amount of light for the green darlings, you should get advice on what the plant prefers when you buy it.
Proper lighting – with the right product
When it comes to lamp selection, there are a variety of LEDs that can be used to provide the right lighting. For example, are you looking for a light source for your home, office, hotel or business? Then this GU10 spotlight with sunlight spectrum is suitable.Simply attach the spotlight to the socket and enjoy the flicker-free, lifelike light. This LED has a high luminous efficacy of 90 to 100 lm/W and a high CRI value of 95 Ra. Depending on your needs, you can dim the spotlight in three stages: 100%, 40% and 15%.
Getting as close to natural light as possible
Another lamp with true-to-nature color rendering is the E27 lamp with 800 Im luminous flux. Visually in the form of a light bulb, it can be easily rotated into the appropriate socket and you can look forward to the high light output of 100 lm/W. Due to the special glass bulb shape, the bulb is ideal for spicing up conventional lights.In addition, this example has a very high CRI value of Ra 95 and low flickering (% F < 1%), which is particularly good for the eyes and thus also for concentration. The lamp can also be dimmed in three stages: 100%, 40% and 15%. The color temperature is neutral white and is mostly used in the home, office, hotel, museum and also in beauty studios.
Conclusion: what needs to be considered?
Artificial light from LEDs cannot completely replace the natural light of the sun. However, lighting that is very similar to sunlight helps to compensate for the daily lack of good and health-promoting light. Full spectrum light comes closest to natural sunlight as it contains comparable properties. So don’t hesitate and check the light around you and your plants. You can find all suitable full-spectrum LEDs for this in the reichelt online shop.
Images : Adobe Stock
