Learn how to customize and control circadian lighting in your green home to enhance your health, well-being, and sustainability.

Create individual lighting profiles that residents can activate depending on their activities, such as working, relaxing, or sleeping. These profiles adjust lighting parameters to suit specific needs. We developed personalised lighting profiles for residents in a smart home project. One resident, who worked night shifts, used a profile that provided energising light in the evening and calming light in the morning, which helped improve their sleep quality and overall well-being. Implement biometric feedback systems that adjust lighting based on real-time physiological data, such as sleep patterns and activity levels. This ensures lighting is always aligned with residents' circadian needs.

Last updated on Aug 19, 2024

How can circadian lighting be customized and controlled by residents in green buildings?

Circadian lighting is a type of artificial lighting that mimics the natural cycle of daylight and darkness, and can help regulate your biological clock, mood, and sleep quality. In green buildings, circadian lighting can also save energy, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance well-being. But how can you customize and control circadian lighting in your own home? Here are some tips and tools to help you create your ideal lighting environment.

1 What is circadian lighting and why is it important?

Circadian lighting is based on the concept of circadian rhythms, which are the physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle in response to light and darkness. Circadian rhythms affect your hormone levels, body temperature, appetite, and sleep patterns. When your circadian rhythms are aligned with the natural light-dark cycle, you feel more alert, energized, and healthy. When they are disrupted by artificial lighting, jet lag, shift work, or other factors, you may experience insomnia, fatigue, mood swings, and increased risk of chronic diseases.

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Praphull Ramdas Wanare 🇮🇳

CEO & Founder - STRI Academy | Linked IN Top Green Building Voice🌱 | M.Tech (NITK) | PMP | LEED AP® BD+C | LEED AP® ID+C | WELL AP | ESTIDAMA PQP®| ENV SP | IGBC AP | GRIHA CP | ISO 14001:2015 Certified
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Circadian lighting has profoundly impacted my professional journey in the sustainable design. Embracing this concept means more than just implementing smart lighting systems; it's about enhancing human experience and well-being. By synchronizing lighting with natural rhythms, spaces I've designed foster alertness during work hours and relaxation at night, promoting better sleep and mood stability. This approach not only optimizes productivity but also cultivates environments where people feel healthier and more energized throughout their day. It's a transformative aspect of modern design that I'm passionate about integrating into every project for its profound impact on human-centric spaces.

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2 How does circadian lighting work in green buildings?

Circadian lighting in green buildings uses sensors, timers, dimmers, and smart controls to adjust the intensity, color, and direction of artificial light throughout the day. The goal is to mimic the natural variations of sunlight, from warm and dim in the morning and evening, to cool and bright at noon. Circadian lighting can also integrate with natural daylight, using windows, skylights, shades, and reflectors to optimize the amount and quality of natural light in each space. By doing so, circadian lighting can reduce the need for artificial lighting, saving energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

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Praphull Ramdas Wanare 🇮🇳

CEO & Founder - STRI Academy | Linked IN Top Green Building Voice🌱 | M.Tech (NITK) | PMP | LEED AP® BD+C | LEED AP® ID+C | WELL AP | ESTIDAMA PQP®| ENV SP | IGBC AP | GRIHA CP | ISO 14001:2015 Certified
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In my experience working with green buildings, I've seen how circadian lighting transforms indoor environments by mimicking the natural light cycle. Using smart controls, sensors, and timers, this system adjusts light intensity and color to reflect the day’s progression, from the warm hues of sunrise to the bright tones of midday. I’ve also integrated these systems with natural daylight employing windows and skylights to maximize energy efficiency and reduce artificial lighting needs. This approach not only enhances occupants' comfort and productivity but also aligns with sustainability goals by cutting energy use and lowering emissions.

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3 How can you customize circadian lighting in your home?

Circadian lighting can be customized to suit your personal preferences, needs, and lifestyle. For example, you can use a smart phone app, a remote control, or a voice assistant to change the settings of your circadian lighting system. You can also create different scenes or modes for different activities, such as reading, relaxing, working, or sleeping. You can also adjust the brightness, color temperature, and hue of your circadian lighting to create different moods and atmospheres. For instance, you can choose warmer and softer colors for a cozy and calm feeling, or cooler and brighter colors for a stimulating and energetic feeling.

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Praphull Ramdas Wanare 🇮🇳

CEO & Founder - STRI Academy | Linked IN Top Green Building Voice🌱 | M.Tech (NITK) | PMP | LEED AP® BD+C | LEED AP® ID+C | WELL AP | ESTIDAMA PQP®| ENV SP | IGBC AP | GRIHA CP | ISO 14001:2015 Certified
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In my home, I’ve tailored circadian lighting to fit my lifestyle and preferences perfectly. I use a smartphone app and voice assistant to control the system effortlessly. For my morning routine, I set the lights to a cool, bright color that energizes me. In the evening, I switch to warmer, softer hues to create a relaxing environment for unwinding and reading. I’ve also programmed specific scenes for working and sleeping, adjusting brightness and color temperature to suit each activity. This customization not only enhances my comfort and productivity but also helps me maintain a balanced, natural light cycle throughout the day.

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4 How can you control circadian lighting in your home?

Circadian lighting can be controlled automatically or manually, depending on your preferences and needs. Automatic control means that your circadian lighting system will follow a preset schedule based on the time of day, the season, and the location of your home. It will also respond to the changes in natural daylight, using sensors to measure the amount and quality of light in each room. Manual control means that you can override the automatic settings and adjust the circadian lighting system according to your own wishes. You can use switches, knobs, buttons, touch screens, or voice commands to control your circadian lighting system.

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Praphull Ramdas Wanare 🇮🇳

CEO & Founder - STRI Academy | Linked IN Top Green Building Voice🌱 | M.Tech (NITK) | PMP | LEED AP® BD+C | LEED AP® ID+C | WELL AP | ESTIDAMA PQP®| ENV SP | IGBC AP | GRIHA CP | ISO 14001:2015 Certified
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In my home, I have the flexibility to control circadian lighting either automatically or manually. For automatic control, the system adjusts based on a preset schedule that aligns with the time of day, season, and local daylight conditions. Sensors track natural light changes and adjust the artificial lighting accordingly. But, When I want a more hands-on approach, I can easily override these settings. I use switches, touch screens, or voice commands to customize the lighting to fit my mood or specific needs, whether it's for focused work, relaxation, or entertaining. This dual control ensures that my lighting is always perfectly tailored to my daily activities.

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5 What are the benefits of circadian lighting in your home?

Circadian lighting in your home can have many benefits for your health, well-being, and sustainability. It can help you fall asleep faster, sleep deeper, and wake up more refreshed by synchronizing your circadian rhythms with the natural light-dark cycle. Additionally, it can enhance your mood, motivation, creativity, and concentration by providing the right amount and type of light for each task and time of day. Furthermore, it can reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint by using less artificial light and more natural light, as well as adjusting the light levels according to the needs and preferences of the occupants.

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Praphull Ramdas Wanare 🇮🇳

CEO & Founder - STRI Academy | Linked IN Top Green Building Voice🌱 | M.Tech (NITK) | PMP | LEED AP® BD+C | LEED AP® ID+C | WELL AP | ESTIDAMA PQP®| ENV SP | IGBC AP | GRIHA CP | ISO 14001:2015 Certified
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In my home, circadian lighting has significantly improved my daily life. It helps me fall asleep more easily and wake up feeling refreshed by aligning my internal clock with the natural light-dark cycle. This system also boosts my mood, motivation, and concentration by providing optimal light for different times of day and activities, whether I’m working, relaxing, or being creative. Additionally, by reducing reliance on artificial light and maximizing the use of natural light, it lowers energy consumption and reduces my carbon footprint. I definitely recommend circadian lighting as it enhances both my well-being and the sustainability of my home.

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6 What are the challenges of circadian lighting in your home?

Circadian lighting in your home can also present some challenges and limitations that must be addressed. These can include cost and complexity, as the systems can be expensive and complicated to install, maintain, and operate. Additionally, they may not be compatible or interoperable with other existing or future lighting systems, appliances, or devices in your home. Furthermore, the individual differences, preferences, and needs of each occupant may not be accommodated by the system, nor may it be flexible enough to adjust to changing circumstances, activities, and events in your home.

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Praphull Ramdas Wanare 🇮🇳

CEO & Founder - STRI Academy | Linked IN Top Green Building Voice🌱 | M.Tech (NITK) | PMP | LEED AP® BD+C | LEED AP® ID+C | WELL AP | ESTIDAMA PQP®| ENV SP | IGBC AP | GRIHA CP | ISO 14001:2015 Certified
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In my experience, circadian lighting systems come with a few challenges. The initial cost and complexity of installation can be high, and maintaining and operating the system may require technical know-how. Compatibility issues can arise if the system doesn’t work well with existing or future lighting setups and smart home devices. While the system is designed to cater to general needs, it might not always accommodate the specific preferences or schedules of each occupant, making it less adaptable to changes in daily routines or special events. Balancing these challenges with the benefits is key to maximizing the system’s effectiveness in my home.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Cmdr (Dr.⁹) Reji Kurien Thomas , FRSA, MLE℠

I Empower Sectors as a Global Tech & Business Transformation Leader| Stephen Hawking Award 2024| Harvard Leader | UK House of Lord's Awardee | Fellow Royal Society | CyberSec | CCISO CISM CCNP-S CEH
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Create individual lighting profiles that residents can activate depending on their activities, such as working, relaxing, or sleeping. These profiles adjust lighting parameters to suit specific needs. We developed personalised lighting profiles for residents in a smart home project. One resident, who worked night shifts, used a profile that provided energising light in the evening and calming light in the morning, which helped improve their sleep quality and overall well-being. Implement biometric feedback systems that adjust lighting based on real-time physiological data, such as sleep patterns and activity levels. This ensures lighting is always aligned with residents' circadian needs.

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How can circadian lighting be customized and controlled by residents in green buildings?

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1 What is circadian lighting and why is it important?

2 How does circadian lighting work in green buildings?

3 How can you customize circadian lighting in your home?

4 How can you control circadian lighting in your home?

5 What are the benefits of circadian lighting in your home?

6 What are the challenges of circadian lighting in your home?

7 Here’s what else to consider

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