Lighting of tomorrow

Lighting of tomorrow

Although lighting has evolved greatly over the years, its functionality has remained relatively stagnant for a long time. For example, for many decades, we have turned our lighting fixtures on and off with a switch. However, over time, several major advances have been made in the world of lighting, including the arrival of LED technology, which is greatly influencing our way of lighting. With all these changes in the lighting world, one question arises. What will tomorrow’s lighting look like?

A revolution in the making

LED lighting

In recent years, many new innovative products have emerged in the field of lighting. Today, we are far from having only traditional incandescent bulbs to illuminate our spaces. Indeed, LED ribbons and bulbs, recessed spotlights and panel lights are just a few of the new lighting fixtures now available.

Smart lighting

Now possible thanks to LEDs, intelligent lighting is increasingly being adopted to illuminate our spaces. These trendy products allow us to personalize the ambiance of a room according to the mood of the occupants, by offering the selection of colors, light temperatures and lighting intensity. With this new technology, we are now able to control light flows with mobile apps and by voice.

With such lighting, it is possible to create customizable, bright and colorful interior design concepts. In constant development, these smart lighting fixtures are poised to disrupt our lighting by offering more and more control to users.

Lighting with multiple functions

Human Centric Lighting (HCL)

Today, several studies are available on the impacts of light on humans. In light of these studies, the lighting of tomorrow seems to be moving more and more towards human centered lighting (HCL).

To fully understand this concept, it is important to know what is the circadian rhythm. This is our internal clock that sends signals to our body depending on the time of day. It uses our body’s exposure to light to give us, for example, signals of fatigue when the sun sets. The color temperature of the sun is not the same depending on the time of day, which tells our internal clock when we should eat or sleep. Having a well-adjusted circadian rhythm brings many benefits to humans, including productivity and energy. With smart lighting, it is possible to recreate smart lighting by mimicking natural light.

But human-centered lighting is not necessarily just about that.

When we talk about human-centered lighting, we mean lighting that takes into account the circadian rhythm, but above all the experience of individuals. This way of lighting our daily lives will include all aspects that affect the health, productivity and comfort of individuals. In short, in the future, lighting will automatically adapt to give people the right amount of light and the perfect color temperature to dose the energy of occupants according to their daily activities.

Musical lighting

For a few years now, we have seen the appearance on the market of acoustic luminaires whose function is to reduce the ambient noise of a space. In contrast to acoustic light sources, we will see in the next few years the appearance of lighting fixtures that emit music!

Always wanting to innovate, several manufacturers are currently developing lighting fixtures with built-in speakers. With this kind of product, we will no longer need to install speakers in institutions or homes, as our lighting fixtures would have a double effect by illuminating and projecting sound. This is another way to make the atmosphere of a space more customizable, as it will be possible to control the music and lighting in all the rooms of the house.

La technologie Li-FI

More and more we are hearing about Li-Fi technology in the lighting world, but what exactly is it?

Li-Fi is a new version of Wi-Fi, which transmits data to connected devices using radio waves. Unlike the latter, Li-Fi transmits data by the voice of light streams! With this technology, in order to connect to the Internet, you will only have to expose your smart device to the luminous flux of your luminaire!

We are looking forward to the arrival of this technology, which could increase the importance of lighting in our lives. At the moment, several potential benefits of Li-Fi are being discussed, but we are still in the early stages of this technology. Nevertheless, according to initial research, the connection speed could be up to 10 times greater than a Wi-Fi connection.

Laser lighting

In order to constantly improve the power and energy efficiency of lighting fixtures, researchers are currently studying the viability of a technology that uses lasers. This technology is currently being used by BMW and Audi to modernize the headlights of their vehicles. According to them, a headlight working with laser would be up to 1000 times more powerful than a LED headlight and would consume 50% less energy.

We are entitled to wonder if this technology could in a more or less near future be used in agricultural and industrial buildings where lighting needs are more important in order to optimize production.

LUX Lighting Solutions, a supplier at the forefront

Lighting is a world that has been in constant change for a very long time. Every year, new discoveries and studies emerge to shape the lighting of tomorrow. While it is difficult to predict what the world will look like in the coming decades, you can count on LUX to always offer you the latest in lighting.

A young couple live in a van. They're making breakfast and she is standing by the sink while he reaches to pick something up off the counter.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, air travel has drastically decreased in popularity. Travelers are choosing to hit the road more to discover the country. Whether it’s in an RV or a converted family vehicle, you’ll spend most of your time in it while traveling. Your RV lighting must be comfortable and functional so that you can enjoy your favorite leisure activities during rainy days. LED lighting is perfect not only for providing functional lighting, but also for creating the right mood!

A couple in a there vehicle with RV lighting singing a song

Why choose LEDs for your RV lighting?

Low energy consumption

Travel with peace of mind. With LED lighting fixtures, you don’t need to worry about the electricity consumption of your lighting. Consuming about 80% less electricity than other types of lighting for the same amount of light, LED lighting can be powered by a solar panel or directly by the vehicle battery. You can then enjoy quality lighting in your vehicle without worrying about your battery running out when it’s time to get back on the road!

Ambient lighting

Another interesting feature of LED is the selection of colors and white. Depending on your mood, create the perfect atmosphere with the help of lighting! In other words, you have the ability to select the color and adjust the intensity of your lighting to customize the ambiance of your camper van.

In fact, you can select the color and adjust the intensity of your lighting to personalize the ambiance of your vehicle. You can also adjust the color temperature to create a warm and relaxing atmosphere with a warm white or an energizing atmosphere with a cool white!

People who travel in a recreational vehicle

Which lighting fixtures should I choose?

When it comes to lighting the interior of your vehicle, one lighting product to consider would of course be LED strip. Indeed, the flexibility and thinness of LED strips mean that they can be installed just about anywhere. It is important, however, to seek expert advice on the installation of ribbons, in order to avoid the risk of fire or overheating.

Apart from LED strips lights, recessed lights and LED pucks can also be a solution to consider for vehicle lighting! They can be recessed into the ceiling to provide a well-distributed light beam throughout the vehicle space. If you are lucky enough to have a small kitchen in your vehicle, these products can also be recessed underneath your cabinets to provide good illumination of your work surface.

LUX, your RV lighting supplier

When we plan to revamp an RV or transform a van into a loft for a road trip, lighting is often put aside. However, it is important to properly illuminate the vehicle to be able to do our favorite activities on rainy days. Without emptying your wallet, it is possible to have a discreet, quality and customizable lighting. To illuminate your road trip, choose LED lighting.

LUX Lighting Solutions is able to offer you all the necessary lighting equipment for your recreational vehicle. Visit our online store now to consult our LED products and illuminate your RV.

Lighting is essential in any construction or renovation project. Indeed, a deficient lighting will make the most successful project lose value which is very significant. In addition, there is the safety aspect. During a project, whether it is agricultural, commercial, industrial, institutional, public or residential, it is absolutely necessary that the lighting be at the right level and that it be safe to avoid accidents, discomfort, headaches and all sorts of other problems. While safety and enhancement are important, there is also the economic aspect. Indeed, implementing a quality lighting solution for your buildings will generate important economic benefits for your company, regardless of your sector of activity.

The underestimated economic impact of lighting on agricultural production

In the agricultural sector, among others, lighting has a very special importance. On a dairy farm, for example, if the light levels are too low or too high, the cows will not produce as much milk as they would. This impact is not only significant for the cows, but also for other animals and plants! Indeed, the development of plants is also greatly influenced by their exposure to light. Depending on the type of horticulture, plants need to be exposed to a certain amount of light and darkness during the day in order to develop properly.

The importance of lighting in the agricultural field is explained by the circadian rhythm, an internal clock in both animals and plants that regulates physiological functions according to the time of day. With lighting, it is possible to synchronize the circadian rhythm to optimize the production of animals and plants.

Illuminated greenhouse during night

Enhance your business with a quality lighting

In the retail industry, it has been proven that proper lighting increases sales. Indeed, in this type of business, lighting is widely used to highlight the products on sale and the facilities. This lighting strategy is also widely used by restaurants to make their food more appealing.

Moreover, it is also with the lighting that it is possible to direct the eyes of the customers towards the strategic places. For example, during a promotion, we want the products on sale to be immediately visualized by the customers, when they enter the store, or pass in front of it. To do this, it is possible to direct spotlights on rails directly on these products in order to highlight them and encourage customers to buy them.

Create the perfect atmosphere to stimulate your customers

There are standards that dictate the level of lighting required by type of business, in terms of lux, but the lighting needs vary significantly depending on the type of business. For example, the lighting of these will depend among other things on the atmosphere we want to create in our spaces.

Often, in more upscale businesses, such as a fancy restaurant or jacket store, the lighting needs to be a little more subdued to provide visual comfort, so people feel comfortable. Here, the goal would be to create a relaxed atmosphere with warm color temperatures that will calm customers and make them stay longer in the store. For, this type of business, the fact that customers spend more time in the store will make them consume more.

The opposite is also true for businesses that have a more quantity-oriented business model. For this type of store, the use of cold white is perfect, because this color gives energy to the consumers which will increase sales while ensuring that they do not stay too long to monopolize the employees and clog the space. It is important to avoid this type of situation for this type of store, so as not to negatively affect the customer experience.

Significant savings for the industrial sector

For companies in the industrial sector whose facilities consist of warehouses and factories. The economic benefit will come mainly from the eco-efficiency of the lighting and the improvement of the safety for the employees.

Indeed, most industrial companies have large buildings that require a significant amount of lighting to illuminate their interior and exterior operations. That being said, it is certain that lighting represents a significant expense for these businesses. A LED lighting solution that efficiently redirects light streams could save them up to 80% on their lighting power consumption.

In addition, occupational health and safety is also an important issue for these companies. With a quality lighting solution that is not dazzling and that highlights the operations and movements of workers, you will promote a safe and comfortable work environment for employees. In this way, you will save significant amounts of money related to employee turnover and work-related accidents.

Benefits for all industries

Depending on your sector of activity, the benefits of optimal lighting will be numerous for your company. Beyond the economic factor, lighting also makes your facilities shine.

LUX Lighting Solutions is able to provide you with its expertise and high quality lighting products to meet all your lighting needs. Whether you work in the agricultural, commercial, industrial, institutional, public or residential sectors, we have the lighting solutions you need!

Modern commercial entry with acoustic luminaire

In an effort to improve collaboration and creativity, companies are increasingly offering their employees open and modern offices. Although this type of design greatly favors teamwork, it also brings its share of disadvantages. Indeed, the fact that the workers all share the same space exposes them to a large amount of ambient noise. According to several studies, an employee could be up to 66% less productive when exposed to a single conversation between two colleagues. That’s why acoustic lighting is indispensable.

Companies benefit from keeping this style of office, as it is very positive for team dynamics. On the other hand, they also have a lot to gain by offering a healthy work environment to their employees. The solution? Acoustic lighting!

How does it work?

In order to fully understand how acoustic lighting works, it’s important to first understand how sound propagates. When a sound is emitted, it creates energy vibrations that travel through the air in the shape of waves. Depending on the type of surface these waves hit, the sound will either continue or stop propagating.  

When these waves come into contact with a hard surface, they bounce off in another direction, whereas a soft surface has the ability to absorb them so as to stop their propagation. The material used to manufacture an acoustic luminaire is usually felt. This one being rather soft, the felt has the capacity to retain the sound waves rather than to redirect them.

acoustic lighting composite

It is not only the materials that will have an impact on the efficiency of the luminaire. Indeed, the density and dimensions will also have their role to play. The density of the acoustic material is important for the absorption of low frequency sounds caused, for example, by the office ventilation system. For higher frequency sounds such as ringing, the density does not need to be so great. Secondly, the size of the luminaire should also be taken into consideration, as the larger it is, the more sound waves it will be exposed to.

Are there only acoustic luminaires?

Acoustic luminaires are probably the most popular products for this type of lighting. However, with LED technology, there are actually several other options for integrating acoustic lighting into your decor. First, it’ s possible to use LED strips to create indirect lighting on the back of an acoustic panel for an original and utilitarian decoration.

Then, acoustic panels made of felt can also be used to create suspended lights designed on the horizontal to incorporate, directly in the panel, LED lighting, to create a unique atmosphere to your office. 

The importance of acoustic lighting in an office

The atmosphere is one of the most important elements when designing an open office. It must be dynamic, comfortable and inspiring. In order to achieve this, the lighting must be of high quality and well distributed throughout the room. Even if the design and decoration of your office is great, too much ambient noise can greatly affect the atmosphere obtained, as it can alter the feeling of comfort of the employees who work there.

Open offices with computer and workers meeting

Create an open and creative space for your workers with custom acoustic lighting! By daring, it is possible to have acoustic lighting fixtures that will be the star of your decoration.  

At LUX, we specialize in designing custom acoustic lighting solutions to suit your needs. Do you have an office lighting project? Contact us to find out how we can help you make it shine!

Purple Gaming room with led lights

Video games are a hobby that has a very large number of enthusiasts. Some of them even decide to dedicate entire rooms to their favorite hobby. The decoration of these rooms includes very interesting design aspects and the place of lighting in the design is particularly important! These rooms have a very colorful look and feel like they are coming straight from the future. Are we witnessing the creation of a new design style? In this blog post, we give you tips on how to make your gaming room lighting work!

The lighting of the gaming room is of crucial importance, because it is this element that gives it all its colors and its dynamism! Indeed, as the trend dictates, the video game room decoration must be colorful, illuminated and delirious. The type of lighting that perfectly fulfills these functions is undoubtedly LED lighting. In fact, part of the reason this type of room is so popular is because of the advent of LED lighting!

Smart lighting, perfect for customizing your decor

First of all, a large number of LED products offer color selection (RGB) as well as color temperature selection (CCT). You can even change the color of your fixtures to create the atmosphere that best suits your mood! In addition, many LED products also offer connectivity between devices. Called smart lighting, the benefit of this feature is to add more customization to your room. For the most immersive gaming experience, choose a mood that adapts to your visual and audio experience. For example, the lighting near your monitor could automatically change based on the colors displayed in your game and other lighting fixtures could flicker with the beat of the music.

Gaming room with multicolour lighting

The importance of indirect lighting for the gaming room

Secondly, indirect lighting is a technique that is very popular in video game room design, as it is an original and aesthetic way to light the most unusual places. Indirect lighting contributes greatly to the futuristic feel we seek to give a gaming room. This technique consists in indirectly lighting a space by projecting a light flux very closely on the wall, the ceiling, the floor or on an object. The reflection of the light on the surface then creates a discreet lighting that will give an interesting character to your room. LED ribbon is the easiest product to create indirect lighting with, as it can be easily installed in any place. What we are used to seeing are LED ribbons stuck to the desk, behind the monitors and on the ceiling! It is possible to highlight almost anything with indirect lighting. Paintings, furniture and shelves are just a few ideas! Use your creativity!

blue lit gaming room

Combine light sources

Apart from LED ribbons, there are a lot of other crazy lighting fixtures that will light up your video game room. Let’s start with the famous LED panels. Since their appearance on the market, this product has gained great popularity among young people. LED panels are great because they allow us to create custom lighting concepts on the wall. It is indeed possible to create a unique shape that will project light and be an interesting decorative element in the gaming room. Several smart LED lights can also be added to your decoration to make the space brighter! Finally, recessed spotlights could also be added if you find that your room needs more utility lighting! These products are also available in LED and can offer the color choices and connectivity you need!

Here’s how to get the best possible lighting for a more immersive experience in your video game room. The main idea here is to have a colorful and energizing atmosphere that adapts to your preferences at the time.

LUX has everything you need in terms of lighting for your gaming room project. Trust our LED products for an unparalleled gaming experience!

Visit our online store now to view our products.

Smart lighting RGB LED Strip

Since the introduction of the first halogen bulb, humans have become accustomed to controlling the lighting in their homes with wall switches, sometimes equipped with dimmers. Smart lighting, now more affordable and simpler, is slowly becoming an interesting alternative to the way we light our daily lives.

While this new type of lighting continues to grow in popularity, it can be difficult to understand the benefits of installing it in your home. In this blog post, we’ll shed some light on this type of lighting system and present the reasons why you should bring this technology into your home.

The first steps towards the smart home

It’s often said that smart lighting is a good start to the smart home.Indeed, smart lighting products are quite simple to install and will be a good starting point for implementing a network of connected objects. For your first steps in smart lighting, you will need smart bulbs, a control unit (bridge) and a cell phone.

Smart home mobile app

To work, all the lighting devices need to be connected together in order to synchronize and facilitate their control. To do this, you will first need to connect the bridge to your WI-FI router. Then, in order to control it all, you will need to download a smart lighting application and pair it with the bridge! Depending on the application you use, you will be able to identify and remotely control all your smart lighting fixtures connected to the WI-FI network. 

Of course, it is possible to control the lighting using other methods than your cell phone. Smart lighting offers many control options! This type of lighting can also work with smart switches and is compatible with voice assistants like Alexa or Google Home to allow voice control!

What are the benefits of switching to smart lighting?

Save energy

Opting for smart lighting will save you a lot of money in terms of energy consumption. LED technology is by far the most widely used technology in smart lighting fixtures for several reasons. First, because LED powered fixtures often offer a choice of colors. Also, LED is a popular technology for its low energy consumption! By automating your home’s lighting, you can also minimize the amount of light that are turned on so that you have the exact amount needed!

Security

Take advantage of the remote control of your lighting to travel with peace of mind. Even if you are thousands of kilometers away from your home, it will still be possible to control the lights to simulate your presence. Some even go as far as creating an alarm atmosphere by making the house lights flash red when there is an intrusion. 

Lighting at your service

With an intelligent lighting system, it is possible to really have a lighting adjusted to our daily life. For example, program the opening of your lights according to your arrival in the room. In the morning, so that the lighting is not too aggressive, make sure that your fixtures open gradually! 

Immerse yourself more when watching television with lighting that adapts to your viewing, gaming and musical experience.

Smart lighting to lit the home office

Finally, choose the mood you want to be in. Adjust the amount, color and intensity of your lighting in seconds using your cell phone. It is even possible to save the atmosphere you have designed to recreate it later!

The possibilities of smart lighting 

The connectivity of your lighting fixtures allows you to do just about anything you can imagine when it comes to lighting. For example, it is possible to program light notifications. By connecting light sources to your cell phone or a microphone, program your system to flash certain lights in a pre-selected color when your baby makes is awake or when you receive an important email. Let your creativity flow, there really is a wide range of ways to use smart lighting in your daily life.

We haven’t heard the last of smart lighting. The lighting industry is following in the footsteps of the interconnectivity of objects in an effort to make our daily lives ever more simple and convenient. Now available to all, smart lighting can give us a taste of the future in home automation!

You want to implement an intelligent lighting system for your home or a client’s home? You will find on our online store, a range of intelligent lighting products for all your projects! 

To discover them, it is here: shop.boutique-lux.ca/en/smart-home

white room lit by natural light

Summer is now over. The days will become shorter and shorter, and our exposure to sunlight will also gradually decrease. At this time of the year, when our mood is sometimes gloomy, many people try to recreate natural lighting to feel better.

What are the benefits of natural lighting?

The circadian rhythm

The circadian rhythm is often referred to as the internal clock of the human body. It is this biological rhythm that sends signals to your body, notably, to get you to sleep and eat. Your daily exposure to light has a direct impact on the circadian rhythm because it adapts to it. If, for example, you have a night shift or work in a dimly lit area, it is possible that your internal clock becomes unbalanced, which can have a negative influence on your well-being.

The circadian rythm

When winter arrives, do you usually feel that your mood is diminished? This is the case for many people, and the phenomenon is well documented, bearing the name of seasonal depression. This period of the year means that the hours of sunlight during the day are reduced, which in a way disrupts the circadian rhythm. Depressed mood, loss of interest and fatigue are some of the symptoms of seasonal depression.

A light for every moment of the day

Secondly, did you know that the type of light has an important influence on your energy? You have probably been advised not to look at a screen for at least 1 hour before going under the covers. The reason is quite simple, screens expose you to blue light. This type of light gives us energy. Therefore, it is good to be exposed to it during the day, but in the evening, a warm light should be favored to imitate the colors of the sunset. This way we are more in a state of relaxation to go to bed.

the different colours temperature

Imitate natural lighting

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to take full advantage of the sunlight with the advent of cloudy days and the winter season. Also, with the trend of working from home having increased drastically over the past year, you may now find yourself working in an office that does not let in enough sunlight. What can you do to compensate for this lack? It is simple, you must reproduce natural light!

The possibilities of LED lighting

Today, technology has advanced to meet this need. With LED lighting, it is now possible to adapt the color of the light according to the time of the day! For example, some LED strips allow to navigate between cool white and warm white. Combining this technology with an automated lighting control system, would allow to have a lighting very similar to natural light. The cold white would be used in the middle of the day, while the warm white would be used in the evening and morning.

False skylights

Skylight that reminds natural lighting

Then, what better way to imitate natural light than with a false skylight. Indeed, this new type of lighting is now available! These products, working with LED technology, make it possible to admire the bluish color of the sky in the room of your choice. It is even possible to perceive a false sun through the well! Here is an original solution to brighten up your room!

Multiply the sources of light

The light produced by the sun has the capacity to illuminate a given space much more easily than a single artificial light source. The reproduction of this light must absolutely pass by using several sources of lighting. To ensure uniformity of the room, do not hesitate to use wall lamps, luminaries, or spotlights on rails.

Modern appartment with natural lighting

The photometric study at your service

Finally, in order to have a real knowledge of your room’s lighting needs, a photometric study could be in order. It allows you to calculate the necessary lighting in a room and to precisely determine the quantity, the strength, and the location of the lighting sources to be installed. This way you will know exactly how to proceed to reproduce the natural light in your room.

Find out more about this service we offer here.

Natural light has an important influence on the well-being of everyone. Plants as well as human beings. Being able to reproduce it can offer considerable benefits on our mood, our sleep and much more. To achieve this, several options are available to you, contact us to find out which one is right for your project!

Growing flowers in a greenhouse

Producing more with less energy

In recent years, many farmers have opened their doors to LED for their agricultural lighting. Although the commercialization of LED technology is relatively new, it is already considered by many as the alternative of choice to traditional lights. The growing popularity of this type of lighting can be seen among farmers to improve their energy efficiency and production. With the size of farm buildings, the cost of energy consumption for lighting is a significant expense for farmers.

Indeed, the main advantage of LED lighting is of course the energy saving. Although LED lighting products are more expensive, the savings on electricity costs are not negligible. If we compare this kind of lighting with traditional incandescent bulbs, the energy saving with LED lighting is about 70-90%. In addition, another advantage of this type of lighting is the durability of the products. LEDs last on average 15 times longer than traditional light fixtures. Therefore, it is certain that LED lighting costs more, but the longevity of the products and their low energy consumption generally pay back the investment very quickly.

Scientist using purple LED light for growing plants

Control of the photoperiod

Photoperiod is the ratio of day to night duration and is the most important environmental factor in synchronizing physiological changes in animals. In other words, the photoperiod plays a determining role in the reproductive cycle of animals. With the help of LED lighting it is now possible for farmers to reproduce natural light and automate it in their buildings. This way, it is easy to ensure that the animals are exposed to the perfect amount of light and darkness during the day. It is even possible to literally simulate sunrise and sunset!

For example, research has shown that lactating dairy cows exposed to 16 to 18 hours of light (150 to 200 lux) and then 6 to 8 hours of darkness increased their milk production by 8 to 10%. In order to still be able to work in the barn while the cows are sleeping, red LED lighting is sometimes used, as this light is slightly detected by the cows and then allows workers to move around safely, without having to disturb the animals’ sleep.

The importance of agricultural lighting for greenhouse production

Canada is exposed to little natural light throughout the year. Especially in winter, this lack of ambient lighting is affecting greenhouse production. Currently, many greenhouses are lit with high pressure sodium lamps or HPS lamps. This type of lighting is not optimal for greenhouse production, because these lamps consume a lot of energy, make it difficult to control the direction of the lighting and give off a lot of heat, which can damage plants that reach a height close to the lamp’s height. LED lighting would be a good solution for greenhouses, as LEDs give off very little heat, do not consume much energy and offer a lot of flexibility to light all areas. Canadian researchers have even found that certain types of light emitted by LEDs can even promote the health of plants!

agricultural lighting in a greenhouse

Often, with the size of farm buildings, the cost of lighting is a significant expense for farmers, and they would have much to gain with the implementation of better and less expensive LED lighting. This new lighting technology offers many significant benefits to farmers and looks very promising for the future!

If you would like to learn more about how LED lighting can help your farm business, contact us and we will be happy to help!

Lighting pollution of a city

However, the impacts of light pollution on our environment are real. The awareness of this issue is relatively new, so it remains mysterious for many people. In this article, you will learn about light pollution and possible solutions to minimize its impacts.

A brief definition

Light pollution is the projection of artificial light into the sky, making it difficult or impossible to see the stars at night. Did you know that 80% of the world’s population lives under a sky polluted by artificial light? For Europeans and Americans, this percentage even reaches 99%! Furthermore, most human beings will never be able to contemplate the Milky Way or the Zodiacal light. These luminous phenomena which are visible in the night sky, can only be observed in the most isolated areas of the globe, where light pollution is absent or very low.

Light pollution is increasing at a rate of 2.2% per year worldwide and causes all sorts of problems, such as economic, ecological and astronomical.

The impacts of light pollution

Since light pollution is relatively new, we are only beginning to understand its impacts on ecosystems. Notwithstanding this fact, many specialists and researchers have started to sound the alarm to ask governments to put in place measures to limit the damage of light pollution.

A disoriented migration

Fauna is strongly affected by artificial lighting at night. For nocturnal animals for example, predators use the darkness to hunt and prey use it to hide! As a result, the environment of these animals is severely influenced by humans, as their nighttime activity period is now shifting to daytime due to the amount of lighting present.

Illuminated city of Vancouver producing light pollution

Migratory birds are also severely affected by this type of pollution. When night falls, these birds must orient themselves with the light of the moon and the stars. The nighttime light from cities attracts birds to a dangerous environment of illuminated skyscrapers. In Toronto, light pollution is responsible for the death of tens of thousands of birds per year, according to the Fatal Light Awareness Program.

Light pollution also affects the migration cycles of these birds. Indeed, these birds use seasonal indicators to predict their migration and their perception of these indicators is biased by light pollution, so they do not migrate at the right time and miss the right weather conditions for their reproduction.

The economic cost of light pollution

Often, the excessive use and the misuse of lighting cause us to direct light towards the sky for no reason, which makes us waste energy and financial capital. In Quebec, it is estimated that it costs $45 million per year to light the sky. Light pollution has then an important economic weight in Quebec, if we consider that this amount could be reinvested for a better and more environmentally friendly lighting. For the United States, the cost of light pollution is $7 billion per year!

A significant impact on science

Astronomy is a science that is directly affected by light pollution, because the stars are much more difficult to study near large cities where light pollution is strong. This is why astronomical observatories are located relatively far from these cities. Finally, the fact that the stars are less and less present in the night sky near the cities, makes that there are fewer and fewer amateur astronomers. Already in 2003, the British government recognized that there is a link between the lack of interest in astronomy and light pollution.

telescope with the milky way

How is light pollution produced?

Now that we know the impacts of the phenomenon of light pollution, it’s important to know how this is produced. The first cause is the lighting directed towards the sky. In fact, many street lamps and other light sources direct light inefficiently. They should direct the light only to the area in need of light.

Quebec is a major emitter of light pollution in Canada, for two reasons. First, the very low cost of energy means that people and businesses in the province can afford to install more artificial light. Second, there are currently very few government regulations governing artificial lighting in Quebec. Some regulations are in place near astronomical observatories, but it seems that these are very little respected.

Rethinking our lighting

With all these problems that light pollution creates, a question arises: is it possible for governments to ensure safe and useful lighting for the population while limiting light pollution? Yes, it is!

Smart Lighting

First of all, intelligent lighting could prove to be an effective solution in the fight against light pollution. Indeed, programming night lighting with intelligent control systems would ensure that only the amount necessary for the city’s safety and operation would be on during the night. For example, an intelligent street lighting system would ensure that street lights would only be activated when cars are on the portion of the road to be lit, and would remain closed when they are not.

Street lamps that respect the environment

Light up more efficiently

As mentioned earlier, many street lights do not effectively redirect light. Ideally, streetlights should be able to direct light properly so that it is not wasted. In addition to reducing light pollution, these streetlights would limit the intrusive lighting that disturbs those who live near roads. To do this, investing in lighting sources that effectively direct artificial light to the areas to be lit would greatly reduce the amount of light projected toward the stars.

We can help you reduce your ecological footprint!

To function it is sure that the cities cannot do without artificial lighting. It ensures the safety of the population and allows them to remain in activity during the night. With the impacts that this form of pollution plays on the environment, the need for cities to rethink their lighting systems is increasingly considered.

Offering a range of specialized products and services, LUX Lighting Solutions has the expertise for all your smart and environmentally friendly lighting projects. Please contact us to learn more about how you can give back the stars to the night!

LED ribbons embedded in black wall

LED strip lights, a multitude of possible uses

In fact, the LED strip lights can be used to light up just about anything. The only limit is your creativity! Here are 10 original ways to use them to inspire you!

1. The Closet

The wardrobe or walk-in closet is usually an area of the house with very little light due to its isolation from natural light. Being mostly in a windowless space, the use of artificial light sources is the solution of choice for lighting your clothes. The flexibility of LED strips is advantageous for this, as it allows you to illuminate the most difficult areas. Using rods with a built-in molding for LED strip lights will allow you to illuminate the room in addition to your hanging clothes. These can also be used for shelves, in drawers, or even on the ceiling to make sure you light every nook and cranny!

Walk-in illuminated with LED strips

2. The staircase

Never before has it been so easy to highlight the staircase with LED strips. Like closets, natural light sometimes has a hard time getting to the stairs. That being said, it is important to have a well-lit staircase to ensure the safety of the individuals using it. LED strips lights are ideal for this purpose, as they can easily be installed on handrails and underneath steps to create an indirect lighting effect. This is a good solution to make your staircase both safe and beautiful.

staircase illuminated with led strip lights

3. The aquarium

Aquariums are now being used more and more as a decorative element in a room. In recent years, they have gained popularity among aquarium enthusiasts for several reasons. The possibilities that some LED strips lights offer in terms of color control and lighting intensity is great for aquarium enhancement. Other advantages are the low heat generation and low energy cost of this type of lighting.

Aquarium containing a small goldfish

4. The gaming room

The video game industry has a growing number of enthusiasts around the world. Often, these enthusiasts are eager to enjoy their favorite hobby in an illuminated room that is bright with vivid colors from all over. LED strips are perfect for indirectly lighting the computer table. Some of these strips can even be installed in the computer power supply which can add color to the computer itself! Color control is something that is highly desired for video game rooms, to create color schemes that match their keyboard for example.

gaming stands backlited with led strip lights

5. The cellar

Wine lovers usually like to have a wine cellar in their home to store their favorite bottles of wine. It can be difficult to see the products in the cellar because of the shadows created by the bottles and shelves. The LED strips lights make it easy to illuminate all the compartments, so you don’t have to search too long for the perfect wine to accompany your meal. You can even program them to light up only when the cellar doors open!

Restaurant cellar with LED ribbons

6. The Mirror

Mirrors have always gone hand in hand with lighting. We have all seen mirrors framed by large spherical bulbs. Used extensively in the show business industry, illuminated mirrors are also interesting for people who like to make themselves beautiful in the morning. Many mirror manufacturers are now integrating LED strip lights directly into their products. If you don’t have this type of mirror, you can always put them on the back of it to get indirect lighting. The use of LED with mirrors is a new trend that will gain even more popularity in the next few years, as this technology is easily integrated into this type of product.

Modern bathroom with backlit mirror

7. The shower

Another original way of using LED strips is for the shower. Shower lighting is sometimes forgotten in bathroom renovation projects. It can be interesting to install lighting on the ceiling and floor of your shower. LED strips are perfect for this purpose, as they can easily be recessed into these surfaces with the help of moldings. Install your shower lighting with a motion sensor! This will cause the shower to light up when you step into it!

Industrial style shower with decorative LED ribbons

8. Plants

From a practical rather than decorative point of view, do you know that LED strips are also widely used for growing plants? If you want to have a small vegetable garden in your house to start your seedlings or grow vegetables in winter, LED strips might be of interest to you. Indeed, on a larger scale, LED technology is increasingly used in greenhouses around the world. Some studies are even emerging on the benefits of this type of lighting on plants!

Flowers and LED light

9. The flowerbeds

Still in line with the garden center, another very original idea for using LED strips is in the backyard! Indeed, they are perfect to mark the flowerbeds in the gardens or to be embedded between concrete tiles to illuminate a path. In addition to making your outdoor installations more aesthetically pleasing, your backyard would also benefit from new discreet lighting sources!

Facade of a restaurant with exterior lighting

10. The RV

Do you have a RV or a minivan that you have converted into a motor home? On rainy days, travelers have to lock themselves in the car to spend the evening or part of the day. Therefore, having a good lighting in the car is essential for this moment. Dimmable LED strips are perfect for this kind of use, as they do not consume much energy and the lighting is discreet. When we are in a small space, the lighting should not be too bright or intrusive. Insert LED strips on the sides of your bed base to enjoy pleasant light all evening, without worrying about the charge level of your car battery!

Camping-car dans la nature pendant la nuit

The use of LED strips lights offers a ton of possibilities for any lighting project, and new ways of using them will emerge in the future. Stay on top of the latest trends! So, don’t hesitate to be creative, try new ways of using them and take advantage of the control systems of LED technology to make your projects even more unique! Do you have a lighting project to which you would like to add LED strips? Contact us and our team of specialists will advise you on the right lighting to make your project shine.