Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re thinking about a new commercial lighting scheme, managing a refurbishment project, need some new lighting products, or are simply trying to get to grips with lighting terminology, this page is here to help.
The team at ALD Lighting Solutions has over 38 years of experience in commercial LED lighting design and manufacture, so we know the questions that matter most. We have put together this growing library of answers to questions you may have, to help you make more informed decisions. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.
Commercial Lighting Design
When should I hire a professional lighting designer?
A professional lighting designer brings specialist knowledge of lux levels, glare control, energy efficiency and lighting controls. They can help you meet current UK standards, avoid costly mistakes and achieve a result that genuinely works, both with the structure of the room or building and for the people using the space.
A professional lighting designer should be involved as early as possible in any commercial project. Ideally this should be at the design stage, before key decisions about ceiling layouts, electrical routes and room configurations have been made. For larger new build commercial projects early involvement means the lighting scheme can be fully integrated into the building design, rather than retrofitted around it.
Our commercial lighting design service can help you with full lighting schemes for a wide range of commercial sectors including offices, schools, healthcare facilities and retail spaces.
What is the difference between an electrician and a lighting designer?
While an electrician is responsible for the safe installation of electrical systems and wiring, a lighting designer focuses on how light is used within a space. To put it simply, an electrician handles the ‘how’ and the lighting designer considers the ‘why’.
The electrician will focus on getting power to the light fittings, ensuring that everything is correctly connected, compliant with wiring regulations and safe to use. The lighting designer, will look at how light is used, assessing factors such as light levels, colour temperature, glare, energy efficiency and the overall visual experience. They will ensure the right light is in the right place and at the right level, to meet the needs of the people using the space. On any significant commercial project, both electricians and lighting designers are essential.
What are the standard lux levels for different spaces?
In the UK, recommended lux levels (light intensity) for commercial spaces are set out by Lux levels are guidelines that a professional lighting designer uses to assess each space individually, ensuring the scheme meets the specific needs of the project.
- General office: 300 – 500 lux
- Reception areas: 300 lux
- Classrooms: 300 lux
- Sports halls: 200 – 500 lux
- Warehouses (general storage): 100-200 lux
- Retail sales areas: 300 lux
- Hospital wards: 300 lux
Lighting Terms Explained
What is the difference between watts and lumens?
Watts measure the power input to a light source, whereas lumens measure the amount of visible light that it produces.
In the not so distant past, most lights used incandescent light bulbs. This type of lighting converted energy to light at a fairly predictable rate, so wattage was used as a universal indicator for brightness.
However, with the widespread adoption of the far more energy efficient LED lighting, a higher wattage no longer means a brighter bulb. So, lumens are now more commonly used to denote the brightness of a light bulb.
An LED fitting can produce the same amount of light as a traditional fitting while using a fraction of the energy. For example, a 10-watt LED can produce the same light output as a 60-watt incandescent bulb. When specifying or comparing commercial LED fittings, you should look at lumens for brightness and watts for energy consumption.
Explore our range of LED lights to find which will work best for your space.
What is a luminaire?
A luminaire is a complete lighting unit. That is, the full assembly that contains a light source and the technology that delivers light into a space. It includes the housing, the light source (such as LEDs), any optical components such as diffusers, reflectors or lenses, the electrical components needed to power the light source, mounting hardware and any controls required to adjust the light.
Luminaires can also be referred to as light fittings or light fixtures and include wall, ceiling, pendant, recessed, desk and floor lights. ‘Luminaire’ is the correct technical and industry-standard term, as defined in British and European standard BS EN 60598 and is used by lighting designers and manufacturers and in technical specifications.
At ALD Lighting we design and manufacture a wide range of commercial luminaires, both standard and bespoke, for interior and exterior applications.
What does UGR stand for?
UGR stands for Unified Glare Rating. This is a measure used by lighting designers to determine the glare created by artificial lighting, as perceived by the occupants in a specific interior space. Glare occurs when there is excessive brightness in a person’s field of vision, which can cause eye strain, discomfort and reduced productivity, particularly in environments with computer screens.
UGR values range from 5 (very low glare) to 40 (very high glare). As a general guide, a UGR below 19 is recommended for offices and classrooms, and below 22 for most industrial environments. UGR above 28 is generally considered poor practice.
UGR is not based on a single luminaire, it is calculated based on a combination of the fitting, the room geometry, surface reflectance and the positions of occupants.
We use lighting design software such as Relux and DIALux evo to calculate UGR values as part of a full lighting scheme design.
LED Lighting Explained
Are LED lights suitable for all commercial spaces?
Yes, LED lighting is now widely considered the best-practice choice for virtually all commercial spaces in the UK. LEDs are available in a broad range of formats, colour temperatures, lumen outputs and IP ratings, making them suitable for environments as varied as open-plan offices, warehouses, healthcare facilities, retail spaces, car parks and exterior areas.
For most standard commercial applications, a suitable LED solution will be readily available from a standard product range. For more complex or demanding environments, including spaces with specific aesthetic requirements, unusual dimensions or technical challenges, a bespoke or custom LED lighting solution may be required.
ALD Lighting Solutions specialise in exactly this type of project, designing and manufacturing bespoke LED lighting products for spaces where standard luminaires won’t meet the brief.
What is the typical life expectancy of LED light fittings?
The life expectancy of commercial LED light fittings is typically measured using the L70 standard. This is the point at which a fitting’s light output has fallen to 70% of its original level and its brightness has dropped below a useful level.
For commercial LED fittings, the rated lifespan typically sits between 25,000 and 100,000 hours. To put this in context, if a business was using lights for 12 hours a day with a luminaire rated at 50,000 hours, it would provide around 11 years of service. However, the actual lifespan of any light fitting also depends on several other factors, including the quality of the product, operating temperature, installation conditions and usage patterns.
Investing in high-quality commercial LED fittings from a reputable manufacturer or supplier will always deliver better long-term value than opting for cheaper alternatives with shorter rated lifespans. Explore our range of quality commercial lighting products.
What is the difference between a lighting survey and an audit?
The terms ‘lighting survey’ and ‘lighting audit’ are often used interchangeably. A lighting survey is typically a site visit where a qualified engineer visits the premises and looks at all existing light fittings, measures lux levels, assesses layout and usage, reviews the controls and checks emergency lighting. The aim is to build a clear picture of what is in place, its condition and how well it is performing.
The data gathered in the survey is then used to analyse energy consumption, identify inefficiencies, assess compliance with current UK standards and produce detailed recommendations for improvements. For lighting schemes that use traditional lighting and require an upgrade to LED lights, a more in-depth audit is required. An audit typically includes a cost-benefit analysis of any proposed upgrades, along with projected payback periods.
In practice, most professional lighting assessments will combine both elements. The site survey provides the data and the audit provides the analysis and recommendations. If you are considering upgrading your commercial lighting or simply want to understand how your current system is performing, a combined lighting survey and audit is the best starting point.
Contact ALD about our lighting surveys today. Book Now.
How often should you have an energy assessment?
There is no single fixed requirement for how often a commercial lighting energy assessment should be carried out, but there are some useful guidelines.
Under the government’s Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) large UK businesses with 250 or more employees, or a turnover above £44 million, must conduct mandatory energy audits every four years. For smaller businesses, it is recommended to carry out an energy assessment every three to five years.
You should also consider an assessment if energy bills have risen unexpectedly, a refurbishment or change of use is planned, staff have raised concerns about lighting quality or your existing lighting system is more than ten years old. Regular energy assessments help businesses stay ahead of evolving UK energy efficiency regulations and keep operating costs under control.
Ready to Ask Your Own Question?
At ALD Lighting Solutions we are always happy to answer your questions about commercial lighting. If you can’t find the answers you need here or you have questions about a specific project, please send us a message and we’ll be in touch.