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Energy Efficient Lighting |
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Your lighting probably should be the first place you look for potential
energy savings. Lighting can be your highest business energy cost and your
greatest source of savings. For instance, removing just one 100-watt light bulb
can save you over 200 kilowatt-hours of electricity every year. If you are
billed for both energy use and demand, you may achieve additional savings by
reducing your peak demand. Because lights generate heat, by reducing your
lighting you can also lower your air conditioning costs.
Energy Saving Tips
To help you get the most for your lighting dollars, consider the following:
Turn off lights when not in use
Lights should be turned off whenever an area is unoccupied. Post reminders
next to light switches. If your lights can be controlled separately, turn off
lights whenever there is enough natural light.
Contrary to popular belief that frequent switching drastically reduces lamp
life, this is no longer true with the new generation of T8 fluorescent lamps and
electronic ballasts. For even greater convenience, install occupancy sensors.
Keep lamps and fixtures clean
Dirt and dust accumulation can reduce light output by 30 per cent. For maximum
performance, clean fixtures every two or three years. Every time a lamp is
replaced, wipe the fixture with an anti-static cloth to remove dirt and dust.
Replace lamps before they lose effectiveness
The light output of a fluorescent lamp decreases as it ages, yet the same
amount of energy is consumed to produce this lower level of light.
To eliminate this inefficiency, consider group relamping, or replacing all the
lamps in an area at the same time and near the end of their useful life.
In doing so, you can:
- Cut replacement labour costs
- Reduce work interruptions
- Ensure and maintain proper light levels
If your lighting system is more than 10 or 15 years old, consider an updated
lighting design.
Remove lamps that are not needed
Many lighting systems are over-designed, providing too much light for the
task. This is inefficient and can make the working space uncomfortable. In some
cases, lamps or whole lighting fixtures can be removed or retrofitted without
creating lighting problems, although this may create uneven lighting in the
working environment.
Consult a lighting professional for advice before embarking on a removal or
retrofit project.
Retrofit your old fluorescent lighting system to save energy and improve
lighting quality
New and revolutionary technologies in incandescent and fluorescent lamp
manufacturing are being implemented throughout North America to reduce energy
consumption and improve lighting quality, at comparable costs with standard
technologies.
Halogen lamps
In accent lighting applications replace incandescent lamps with line voltage
(PAR type) or low voltage (MR16 type) halogen lamps. They last longer, consume
less energy and add more "sparkle."
T-8 fluorescent lamps
Replace your existing T-12 fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballasts with T-8
fluorescent lamps and electronic ballasts. They reduce up to 40 per cent of
energy costs, increase the system's life, and improve the quality of light.
Use high-pressure sodium or metal halide lamps for exterior lighting
Replace outdoor incandescent or mercury vapour lamps with high-pressure
sodium or metal halide lamps. This can save up to 74 per cent of energy use,
while providing similar light output.
Be aware that very bright light sources can cause glare, which hinders the
ability to see. Unless bright sources can be effectively shielded, a greater
number of low-wattage lights usually create a better visual environment than a
few higher-wattage lights.
If your lighting application requires fast start and re-strike, consider
using metal halide lamps with Pulse Start technology. These new lamps consume up
to 20 per cent less energy, last longer and can start and re-strike in 1-3
minutes, twice faster than the normal metal halide lamps.
Use LEDs for exit signs
LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are currently used for indicator lights and
numeric displays on consumers electronic devices. They are also becoming the
standard for illuminating Exit signs.
This is because new LED exit signs or retrofit kits consume 1-3 watts, a
fraction of the energy used by incandescent-based signs, and last about 100,000
hours.
Use compact fluorescent lamps
Replace incandescent lamps in exit signs, pot lights and general lighting
fixtures with appropriate wattage compact fluorescent lamps. These lamps use 72
per cent less energy while lasting 10 times longer, considerably reducing labour
to replace them.
Many models of compact fluorescent lamps come in a compact self-ballasted
unit, complete with screw-in base, ideal for easy replacing of incandescent
light bulbs in residential and commercial applications.
Lighting Controls
Increase the energy efficiency of your lighting system through the use of
lighting controls. They deliver light when and where you want it, reducing
wasted energy.
Install occupancy sensors
Occupancy sensors turn off lights automatically when space is unoccupied.
Their use saves about 25 per cent of the lighting energy.
Use them for:
- Meeting rooms
- Washrooms
- Storage areas
- Low-traffic areas
As occupancy sensors use different sensing techniques, consult your vendor
for the product most suitable to your lighting application.
Use timers or photocells for outdoor security and parking area lighting
Timers and photocell sensors automatically turn on outdoor lights at dusk
and off at dawn. Be sure to adjust timers for daylight savings time.
Astronomical timers, which make seasonal adjustments, are also widely available.
Dim lights to reduce energy and ensure comfort
Every room in your house or business has its own style, decor and
distinctive personality. Controlling the luminous output of lamps can enhance
the beauty of every room while saving dollars in energy costs.
Dimmers can be local, centralized, or even wireless controlled. Incandescent
dimmers start at a very low price, while fluorescent and compact fluorescent
dimmers are more costly.
Adjust lighting levels to match needs at different times
Before and after "public" hours, use lighting appropriate to need. Full
lighting may not be necessary; have just enough light for employees to do jobs
such as cleaning or restocking shelves.
If you can control lights with a bank of switches, you may be able to turn
off up to half of the lights, and save considerable energy. Even if you have to
rewire the lighting system to permit partial lighting, the payback from energy
savings and increased lamp life may make the investment worthwhile.
Label electrical switches
Simple labeling systems for electrical switches and panels can help increase
lighting efficiencies and save about 20 per cent of lighting energy use. These
labels identify switches that need to be:
- Left on at all times
- Left on during business hours only
- Left on during occupancy hours only
You may have other equipment that can also be labelled and turned off after
hours for additional savings. For multilevel commercial buildings, consider
installing an automatic Building Management System which can be programmed to
efficiently control your lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning
load to suit your needs and save energy.
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