A Guide to Energy-Efficient Art Lighting with Eco-Friendly LED Picture Lights, Spotlights, and Accent Lights
Art lighting plays a pivotal role in showcasing and enhancing the experience of artworks while also impacting energy consumption and sustainability efforts. This guide will explore the benefits of eco-friendly and conservation-friendly LED art lighting and demonstrate its implementation in renowned institutions that bridge the realms of contemporary and historical art.
The Benefits of LED Art Lighting
1. Energy Efficiency
LED art lighting is an energy-efficient alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs. LEDs consume significantly less power while providing conservation-conscious illumination, making them the ideal choice for lighting art. By reducing energy consumption, institutions can lower both their carbon footprint and operational costs.
2. Improved Colour Rendition
Colour rendition is a quantitative measure of the ability of a light source to render the colours of various objects faithfully in comparison with a natural light source. Daylight (natural light) is used as the benchmark 100 CRI (100%). When choosing LEDs for lighting art, we recommend 97+ CRI.
3. Environmental Sustainability
By embracing eco-friendly LED art lighting, institutions contribute to environmental sustainability. Reduced energy consumption means less strain on natural resources and a smaller carbon footprint, aligning with global conservation efforts.
Showcasing historic collections with LED picture lighting: Kenwood House and the TM MasterLight
Kenwood House, an English Heritage site, displays TM Lighting’s successful LED art lighting implementation throughout a historic art collection. The project aimed to enhance sustainability while maintaining an impeccable display of the collection. The TM MasterLight, an industry-leading picture light, replaced the collection’s previous picture lighting and now illuminates some of the world’s most significant artworks including Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait with Two Circles and Vermeer’s The Guitar Player.
Before the project, Kenwood House’s collection required 1000 watts for full illumination. The TM MasterLight’s LED lighting achieved 98+CRI high colour rendition using less than 300 watts. This not only reduced energy consumption but also significantly lowered running costs, contributing to the institution’s environmental sustainability goals.
Enhancing contemporary artwork with LED picture lighting: Frieze and Environmental Responsibility
The world-renowned Frieze Art Fair recognised the importance of reducing its environmental footprint through responsible lighting choices. By utilising TM’s LED gallery spotlights and floodlights, energy usage was reduced by more than 5000 kWh, halving lighting energy consumption and demonstrating the significant impact that LED art lighting can have on environmental conservation in the art industry.
Comparison between LED picture lighting and traditional lighting options: Goodwood House and Conservation-Friendly Lighting
The collection at Goodwood House includes delicate artworks on paper and oil paintings, making conservation-friendly lighting essential. TM Lighting provided a solution that not only enhanced the viewing experience but also had significant energy and maintenance savings. The TM Goodwood Picture Light was designed specifically for this project to allow for the phasing out of out-dated incandescent picture lights and the introduction of new LED picture lights.
TM Lighting’s LED lights are up to ten times more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs. They produce no ultraviolet or infrared light and generate no heat throw, preventing fading damage to the artworks. This crucial aspect of conservation ensures the long-term preservation of the collection.
Moreover, TM Lighting’s LED lights have a longer lifespan, eliminating the frequent bulb replacements required with incandescent bulbs. This not only reduces energy consumption but also lowers maintenance labor and the cost of purchasing new bulbs. In the case of Goodwood House, this resulted in savings of over £5,000 annually, making the operation of the house more sustainable and eco-friendly.
LED art lighting offers a remarkable combination of energy efficiency, superior colour rendition, and environmental sustainability. Real-world examples from Kenwood House, Frieze, and Goodwood House demonstrate the tangible benefits of LED lighting, both in terms of conservation and reduced operational costs. Embracing eco-friendly LED art lighting is not only the best choice for preserving and displaying artworks but also signifies taking a significant step towards a more sustainable and responsible art industry.