When it comes to barn applications, some unique requirements need to be addressed when it comes to lighting, since these areas need a solution that is effective, efficient, and most importantly safe. Below are some suggestions for implementing the best barn lighting for your location.
Incorporating natural light is an ideal way to help cut down on energy costs. If you're able to install or utilize existing skylights or windows to allow natural light into your barn, less artificial lighting will be needed to properly illuminate the area. We recommend that you try to mimic natural light as much as possible in terms of color rendering, since it will be easier on your eyes, especially since they're constantly adjusting from indoor to outdoor light sources.
To address areas that are in close proximity to livestock, heat needs to be taken into consideration. For example, some fixtures will generate high outputs of heat during operation that will make the temperatures in the barn much warmer. However, an option such as a low temperature LED solution, you can prevent this from being an issue altogether. In fact, incandescent lights are susceptible to overheating, which can cause fires in barns when being used in an old or improperly installed fixture.
Regardless of whether your barn is a small building, or a much larger operation, it still requires different types of lighting. Essentially, there is no one light fits all. For instance, the aisles and entry points need brighter lighting, whereas the stalls can have lower level lighting installed. Also, you can experiment with light that varies in terms of direction, such as fixtures that provide more uplight than downlight, which will help to create a more subtle, softer lighting output.
The most important factor that needs to be considered when choosing lighting for a barn is the animals. For example, horses can be sensitive to lighting, especially in the areas where they sleep, whereas you can employ brighter lighting in grooming and care areas for better visibility.
Consider installing timers to help control lighting when the barn is not in use. Unlike humans, animals will sleep with the lights on since they aren't bothered by light. So, you can save yourself money by shutting off non-essential lights at night. You can also add occupancy sensors in areas such as entryways or aisles, in addition to timers to shut off or dim the stall lighting during certain hours, which will help drastically cut down on energy costs.
Just like other locations, a barn needs lighting that is reliable. So by keeping these suggestions in mind, choosing the right barn lighting will be an easy process.
