Influences of spectral power distribution on circadian energy, visual comfort and work performance

Spectral power distribution (SPD) is an essential element that has considerable implications on circadian energy and the perception of lit environments. The present study assessed the potential influences of SPD on energy consumption (i.e., considering circadian energy), visual comfort, work performance and mood. Two lighting conditions based on light-emitting diode (LED) and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) were used as proxies for SPDs of different spectral content: dominant peak wavelength of 455 nm (LED) and 618 nm (OLED). Using measured photometric values, the circadian light (CL), melatonin suppression (MS), and circadian efficacy (CE) of the two lighting sources were estimated via a circadian-phototransduction model and compared. Additionally, twenty-six participants were asked to evaluate the said lit environments subjectively in terms of visual comfort and self-reported work performance. Regarding circadian lighting and the associated energy implications, the LED light source induced higher biological actions with relatively less energy than the OLED light source. For visual comfort, OLED lighting-based conditions were preferred to LED lighting-based conditions, while the opposite was true when considering work performance and mood. The current study adds to the on-going debate regarding human-centric lighting, particularly considering the role of SPD in energy-efficient and circadian lighting practices.