Lighting In Buildings
A matter to be decided carefully
Lighting in buildings must be carefully chosen as it forms an integral part of the décor and comfort experience offered to those using the building. It must also be functional and strategically placed. The key to more efficient lighting is using natural light where possible, switching off lights when not in use, replacing existing lighting with energy-efficient lighting and using low voltage lighting where appropriate. Used in combination with other energy-saving initiatives, new technology lighting will cut your energy bill dramatically and in many cases, improve your hotel lighting performance. The incandescent traditional light bulb uses approximately four times the amount of electricity compared to the new technology Compact Fluorescents or LED bulbs. They also emit more carbon emissions and have a shorter lifespan.
It still makes sense to change to the new technology albeit more expensive per unit in most cases at this point in time. Workers tend to be more productive and the living experience is enhanced in a well-lit space that fosters better visual comfort. Economically lit buildings tend to have a higher productivity performance, less absenteeism and sick leave amongst staff plus increased safety performance. Ultimately by optimising your lighting needs in terms of on-off controls, dimming controls and using combined technologies, your overall building operating costs will be reduced.
For your convenience a comparison table has been drawn up comparing the three different light technologies available.
|Down lighter projected lifespan (average)||25,000 hours||8,000 hours||1500 hours|
|Watts per light (equiv. 60 watts)||4.5||11||50|
|Cost per down lighter (Excl VAT)||R129.00||R84.95||R23.95|
|KWh of electricity used over 25,000 hours||112.50||275||1250|
|Cost of electricity (@ 0.10per KWh)||R0.94/Kwh||R0.94/Kwh||R0.94/Kwh|
|Bulbs needed for 25k hours of use||1||3||17|
|Equivalent 25k hours bulb expense||R129||R255||R407|
|Total cost for 25k hours||R234.75||R513.50||R1582|
|Dimmable||depends on make||most not- Depends on make||yes|
|Disposal||safe||care to be taken (contains mercury)||safe|
|Recycle||Yes||Yes with a mercury filter||No|