Lumen: what is it and what is it for
Explain the function of lumens in lighting and how to choose the right intensity for each space.
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Lumens are a crucial measure to understand and compare the amount of light emitting different sources of lighting. They help us select the appropriate bulbs or lamps to meet our lighting needs in different environments and activities. In Greenice, we detail your differences and give you tips to know how many lumens you need according to your project.
1 What are the lumens?
It is a unit of measure that is used to quantify the total amount of visible light issued by a light source in all directions. Essentially, the lumens provide us with a measure of the total luminosity of a light source.
This measure allows us to understand how much light is available to illuminate a space as a whole. The more lumens a light source has, the more bright it will be generally. In other words, the lumens offer us a way to compare different sources of light and determine which is more appropriate for our lighting needs.
2 Differences between lux and lumens
Although they are often confused, lux and lumens are two different measures related to light:
- The lumens measure the total amount of light emitted by a light source in all directions. It is a measure of the total source light output.
- Lux, on the other hand, measure the amount of light that reaches a specific surface. That is, Lux indicate the intensity of lighting in a given area. The lux are calculated by dividing the lumens by the area on which the light is distributed.
So, while lumens tell us how much light a light source produces in total, the Lux tell us how brilliant that light will be in a specific area.
3 Differences between Lux and watts
The watts and lumens are two different measures that are also often confused:
- The lumens measure the total amount of visible light emitted by a light source.
- The watts, on the other hand, measure the amount of electrical energy consumed by a light source. The watts are not directly related to the amount of light emitted, but rather to the amount of energy necessary to produce it.
Thus, the lumens measure the luminosity, the Lux measure the intensity of the light in a specific area, and the watts measure the power consumed by the light source.
4 How many lumens do I need?
The amount of lumens you need depends on several factors, such as the size and use of space, as well as your personal lighting preferences. However, in Greenice we believe that there are some general guidelines for different types of spaces:
- For work areas where detailed tasks are performed, such as kitchens and desks, a brighter lighting is recommended, usually between 300 and 500 lumens per square meter.
- For areas of being as living rooms and bedrooms, where the softer and cozy lighting is preferable, a lighting of around 150 to 250 lumens per square meter is suggested.
- For activities that require more intense and focused lighting, such as detailed reading or work, more than 500 lumens per square meter may be necessary.
Remember that these are only general guidelines, and the exact amount of lumens you need can vary according to your personal preferences and the specific characteristics of your space. It is important to also take into account the distribution of light, the color of light and other factors when selecting adequate lighting.