User attitudes toward occupant controlled office lighting

Abstract

The use of locally addressable dimmable lighting systems has been examined in 14 open-plan office buildings. This paper discusses user attitudes toward control systems and the luminous conditions they produce. The majority of users are satisfied with both the quantity and quality of light on their workstations and are generally positive towards systems. This is despite large numbers of them working in illuminances significantly below current CIBSE recommendations. This indicates a significant potential for energy saving, since increased personal control leads to the use of lower lighting levels without detriment to occupants’ perceived lighting quality and visual comfort.