The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) conducts studies on spectrally enhanced lighting (SEL) as part of its lighting activities. Here you'll learn about spectrally enhanced lighting and find information about studies and implementation.
SEL is a simple strategy that uses existing products and technology to significantly reduce energy use from lighting in commercial buildings. This low-risk, high-return strategy can provide energy savings of more than 20-40% at no additional cost, according to results of the DOE study, Spectrally Enhanced Lighting Program Implementation for Energy Savings, Field Evaluation (August 2006)
Recent findings show that the color of lighting can affect the energy efficiency of lighting systems. When the spectral properties of ambient lighting are shifted to be more like the color of daylight (more white), our eyes respond the same as if lighting levels were increased — the pupils of our eyes get smaller, spaces seem brighter, and we see things more clearly.
The concept behind SEL is that a significant amount of energy can be saved by using lamps that have less light output, but higher correlated color temperature (CCT). Lamps with higher CCT appear brighter than those with lower CCT, so the actual light output of higher CCT lamps can be decreased, while maintaining equivalent perceived brightness and visual acuity. Unlike other energy efficiency strategies, SEL is not a technology — it's a different way to quantify light that can be used with any type of lighting design to improve energy performance. Energy savings are achieved by using high performance and high CCT lamps coupled with lower ballast factor, extra efficient electronic ballasts. SEL is a market-ready, cost effective solution for quick energy savings.
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