Color-tunable LED luminaires are an emerging product category that offers potential benefits beyond the inherent energy efficiency of LEDs. There is reason to believe that color-tunable luminaires will gain market share, but it is important to understand the possible tradeoffs, limitations, and issues surrounding these products, so that the industry can work together to address challenges needing attention as the technology matures.

TUNING THE LIGHT IN CLASSROOMS

Photo of an elementary school classroom.

Folsom Cordova Unified School District

The GATEWAY program documented a trial installation of tunable-white LED lighting systems in three classrooms at an elementary school in Folsom Cordova Unified School District in Folsom, CA. The report focuses on illuminance, estimated energy use, and spectral power distribution and related human response metrics, and offers some important lessons learned. (September 2018)

Folsom Cordova Classroom Tunable Lighting Report

Four photos of a classroom with a tunable lighting system.

Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District

The GATEWAY program evaluated a trial installation of tunable-white LED lighting systems in three classrooms in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District in Carrollton, TX. The report provides valuable insights into the use of this technology in a real-world setting. (September 2017)

Carrollton-Farmers Classroom Tunable Lighting Report
Carrollton-Farmers Classroom Tunable Lighting Report Brief

TUNING THE LIGHT IN HEALTHCARE

Two photos of a hallway in a senior-care center.

Swedish Medical Behavioral Health Unit

The GATEWAY program evaluated a tunable LED lighting system installed in the new Swedish Medical Behavioral Health Unit in Seattle that incorporates color-tunable luminaires in common areas, and uses advanced controls for dimming and color tuning, with the goal of providing a better environment for staff and patients. The report reviews the design of the tunable lighting system, summarizes two sets of measurements, and discusses the circadian, energy, and commissioning implications as well as lessons learned from the project. (August 2017)

Swedish Medical Behavioral Health Unit Report
Swedish Medical Behavioral Health Unit Report Brief

TUNING THE LIGHT IN SENIOR CARE

side by side images the inside of a care center with different lighting.

ACC Care Center

Building on a prior field evaluation of tunable lighting at the ACC Care Center (see below), this study’s objective was to test a strategy for measuring and documenting light exposure for typical nursing-center residents, and evaluate the data in terms of various metrics for human circadian responses over the course of a day. (November 2019)

Measuring Light Exposure and its Effects on Sleep and Behavior in Care Center Residents

The GATEWAY program documented the performance of tunable-white LED lighting systems installed in several spaces within a senior-care facility in Sacramento, CA. The project results included energy savings and improved lighting quality, as well as other possible health-related benefits that may have been attributable, at least in part, to the lighting changes. (August 2016)

ACC Care Center Report
ACC Care Center Report Brief
ACC Care Center Video
ACC Care Center Webinar
Article: Tuning the Light in a Senior Care Facility