You’re irritable. You’re tired. You don’t feel well. And you’ve just returned from your latest work trip. Have you ever felt like it’s impossible to avoid getting sick while traveling?
No, I’m not about to claim that lighting is the almighty savior and can keep you from catching a virus during a work trip. In my conversations with leaders and influencers in the hospitality industry, I’ve noticed a trend in recent months that is steadily picking up steam: the “Stay Well” trend.
No longer a niche category, I predict that travelers will soon begin to see a proliferation of options and marketing materials directed toward this trend. Room descriptions with terms like, “renew,” “refresh” and “recharge” are coming to a search result near you.
Lighting certainly has a role in this trend.
In a recent study from the American Institute of Architects, architects and building owners noted they are beginning to place greater emphasis on the impact of design decisions on human health. Nearly 75 percent of architects and 67 percent of owners say health considerations now play a role in how their buildings are designed, indicating that healthy environments have become an important tool in marketing to hospitality customers.
Studies suggest that the discerning control of lighting spectrum and intensity over time can potentially enhance human health, behavior and our general sense of well-being. While there’s still more research to be done, there’s no denying the personal connection humans have with lighting. The Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute issued a study, which proved that robust morning light improves sleep and mood as well as lowers stress in office workers.
Advances in lighting technology are having an impact on these trends, and I’m finding myself fielding more and more questions from customers as they continue to get familiar with advances in LED technology. Here are what those responsible for lighting decisions today should be thinking about for the future:
Color Temperature Tuning Technology
Facilities ahead of the curve are beginning to explore the use of lighting schemes based on circadian-rhythm research conducted by the LRC. In a hypothetical scenario, lighting can subtly change, with bright, cool light in the morning that gradually becomes warmer over the course of the day.
The end goal isn’t just comfort; it could include physiological benefits of triggering natural wake-sleep cycles for guests who might still be suffering from jet lag. This level of functionality could be featured in both common areas and guest rooms.
I’m suggesting to our customers that they investigate and consider a “Dim to Warm” lighting strategy.
Dim to Warm functionality mimics the familiar warming effect that occurs with traditional incandescent and halogen light sources as they are dimmed. It is an ideal solution for hospitality environments, retail and residential spaces where users anticipate a decrease in chromaticity along with a decrease in light level. Hubbell Dim to Warm luminaires dim from 3000K down to 2200K and are compatible with standard 0-10V wallbox dimmers and Hubbell’s NX lighting control system.
How Does It Work?
At Hubbell, we’re busy working with our customers to integrate our new SpectraSync™ color temperature tuning technology in quite a few applications. SpectraSync operates on standard 0-10V dimming protocols and supports preset and scheduling through Hubbell Control Solutions’ NX Distributed Intelligence™ lighting control system or even third-party controllers. By going this route, we make it easy to specify and install the technology. The single driver strategy, when paired with flexible control options, provides occupants with the ability to control the space based on the needs of the application, specific activities throughout the day or user defined preferences.
Bottom line: this technology won’t be intimidating to use and that’s a key benefit for the hospitality industry. While these advances are helpful, it’s important to understand how aesthetic goals align with the property’s sustainability goals. In some cases, no energy advantage may be associated with these technologies, and there could even be a disadvantage related to higher energy consumption and higher fixture cost.
So, stay tuned for what’s to come as Hubbell supplies its latest CTT technologies to hotels near you and of course…stay well.
Jeff Moreau is a national accounts manager for Hubbell Lighting. He specializes in helping the hospitality industry identify the lighting and controls solutions that are best fits for their needs. Got a question? Contact Jeff at [email protected] or 864.293.9826.