Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Harringay - LED street lights - you'll need your sunglasses
Bathe in the new bright LED street lights of Hampden Rd next time your passing through. Stand under one and you could be forgiven for thinking you're on the set of the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind, just don't look up for you'll be blinded by the light (rather than beamed up).
Seriously though these lights are awful!!
Tags for Forum Posts: led lights, street lighting
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dan on
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hi dominic - I would ask the council - certain types of light carry different wavelengths, which in turn affect our circadian rhythms https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circadian_rhythm (hence why looking at a device screen before bed is not a good idea for some). some are more sensitive than others.
Contrary to my earlier post where I sang the benefits praise be (still stick by this), there's evidence to show that the spectrum wavelength from LEDs is in the blue end of the spectrum, which in turn can be 'awakening' for some. Direction, luminosity and bulb type are all variables to consider (i.e. did the council purchase a particular wavelength to get around your problem).
http://www.manivivendi.nl/shop/data/mediablocks/blauw_wit.pdf (for example)
We have a similar personal issue I must add - the direction of the light seems to be better however as it's downwards. the colour is different which I think we should get used to.
A short term solution is thick curtains that block light.
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Permalink Reply by matt on
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Been reading the same info Dan which is interesting. Just had an LED installed opp us so will find out tonight. It's true that the direction of light is more downward as you say and there are now more dark areas between the lamp posts but the light is harsh where they are located. Environmentally they're better it appears for efficiency but fail in my opinion under any other environmental factor.
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Keep us updated Matt. Do they remove the old lamp posts or are they switching those off and place the new ones next to it?
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They simply remove the old lamp head & replace with the new, same post. Takes about 20mins for each.
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So now these LEDs are in in our street, no surprise really, the light is overly bright and the very white. From the link Hugh provided above it appears this street light technology divides opinion across the country which is unfortunate. Maybe it's above council skills/resources to deal with such decisions and is an example of what could be resourced from a more central city institution under the political control of the GLA.
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Hi Matt
Ds' link below is a great example of a) how there is a choice to have LED and colour change and b) how it can be changed.
I'd suggest that anyone who is affected by the current lamps asks the council about the specifications used. Even though the replacement of street lamps to energy efficient types is long overdue, there are options and it would be great to see how the council examined those.
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Hi Dan
Yes but I'm not entirely sure what to ask. I doubt they're going to change the lamp to a different kelvin rating are they. What option/question can you suggest?
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The issue here I think is that some think the colour is too bright and white. I would suggest asking whether or not the council considered other colours (i.e. different wavelengths or kelvin rating) and brightness (lumens).
If so, what were the crucial factors in deciding the current system versus the alternatives? The example below shows in SF that 'warmer' lights can be 15% less efficient, which may be a valuable compromise for residents who support the energy efficiency programme but are somewhat petrurbed by the current colour.
If not, is this something that would be considered?
Personally - I'm a fan of the new lights (for energy reasons!), but my nearest and dearest have had issues with LEDs before (kitchen) so I can relate to differences in opinion (btw - they got used to it, and the lower energy bills, but n=1 is hardly a large sample :-)). Furthermore, I do have friends who are more sensitive to 'bluer' light, perhaps not too dissimilar to Angela
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Thanks Dan. We have shutters which never block out all the light and we are already using black out curtains for the window right in front of the bed because of the light coming through. Also they could have just used a warmer colour similar to the current lights but still more energy efficient. In general i think there is no need to light up the entire street at night. light up the passage fine, but the current lighting on the streets of the Ladder is perfectly sufficient.
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Hi dominik
I disagree. I appreciate improvements can be made, which I recommend you discuss with the council. Is the old lighting sufficient to reach the required levels of energy efficiency? No. And the costs? no. Is the council under financial pressure? yes. Is this low impact high return? Yes. Can savings be passed to other depts? yes.
Or with the greatest respect, are your conclusions just to satisfy the preferences of now?
this is why councils have a tough job sometimes. Damned if they do...
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i never said i wasnt for those lights. i said they could have chosen a different colour scheme, more yellow, less bright. of course LED is more cost efficient in the long run. but it shouldnt impact the quality of life to the extent they seem to do in their current form.
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Thanks Dominik - your statement above 'current lighting...perfectly sufficient' is what I referred to. Quality of life is affected by council budgets (i.e. austerity). To improve the lamps specification I suggest asking the council about the decisions made and process of change.
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