How many watts to light a room? Watt lumens conversion.


lux and lumens
In this Blog we have often talked about how to light up the rooms referring mostly to which luminaires to use, to the best position to install them or to the choice warm-cold light. This time we will try to explain how to determine the light intensity that best suits the various environments.

What are watts, lumens, and lux?

Before going into technical discussions, it is better to take a few minutes to define 3 different units of measurement related to lighting: watts, lux, and lumens.

Watt

Watts measure power. But perhaps, referring to the field of lighting, it is appropriate to say (improperly) that they measure the energy consumption required by a light bulb. Until a few years ago it was just the watt the unit generally used to choose the bulbs to buy. From the watts indicated on a light bulb, one could guess the brightness of the same.

However the power expressed by watts (in terms of energy required) does not necessarily correspond to the same luminous intensity. Energy-saving or LED bulbs, for example, show us that with the same brightness, consumption can be different from a classic incandescent bulb!

For this reason it is advisable to introduce the other 2 quantities...

Lumens and lux

Luxs measure illuminance, lumens instead luminous flux. Obviously, for those who are not experts in electronics or lighting technology, this difference will say nothing ... In simple terms, lumens depend on both the illuminance (lux) and the surface to be illuminated. In mathematical terms we can express everything with the formula:
Lumen = lux x sqm



Consequently, knowing the ideal luminous intensity for each room (lux) and the surface to be illuminated, it is possible to determine the required lumens and consequently look for the most suitable light bulb or luminaire.

How many watts to light a room

At this point it is clear that asking “How many watts are needed to light a room?" Is not exactly the correct question. Rather, one should ask “How many lumens do you need for a room?" The watt lumen ratio is essentially comparable to the efficiency and effectiveness of a light bulb, respectively.

The lumen watt correspondence will depend on the technology used by the bulb (incandescent, LED, halogen or fluorescent). Here is a table showing the lumen watt conversion.

How many lumens for a room

To calculate the lumens needed for the various rooms in the home, it is advisable to start with lux: the recommended intensity per square meter (based on the functions they usually perform in that environment).

To illuminate a study area, for example, the lux coefficient must be equal to or greater than 300, while for a room where perfect visibility is not required, the value to be considered is 150-200 lux. This list explains indicatively the differences between the various rooms:

·        Kitchen: 350 lux
·        Stay: 200 lux
·        Bedroom: 100-150 lux
·        Bath: 150 lux (400 lux for the mirror)
·        Garages, closets or lobbies: 100 lux
·        Corridor and stairwell: 150 lux
·        Study or workplaces: 300-400 lux
To calculate how many lumens are needed, simply multiply the lux by the specific square footage of the room. Once the lumens have been identified, you will be able to concentrate on consumption and also identify the watts to light up a room.
Also, read about How to light up kitchens and open-plan living rooms: our style tips.




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