High Efficiency Lighting
How many times have you exited your house or meeting room and left the lights on? Tied for the number one most effective energy-efficient technology in the United States is occupant-responsive lighting. Lighting systems including sensors, management systems, installation of efficient LED’s and/or control components allow facility managers to provide high quality lighting that meet individual preferences and light needs while reducing energy demand and costs. Control methods include occupancy sensing, timer scheduling, and dimming. This then eliminates the need to remember to switch off lights when necessary. Furthermore, since intelligent lighting systems allow for lighting to be dynamic, the emotional and biological benefits of light can be harnessed in order to support the health, well-being and performance of people using the buildings.
High Performance Features
The high efficiency and directional nature of LEDs makes them ideal for many industrial uses. LEDs are increasingly common in street lights, parking garage lighting, walkway and other outdoor area lighting, refrigerated case lighting, modular lighting, and task lighting. Widespread use of LED lighting has the greatest potential impact on energy savings in the United States. By 2027, widespread use of LEDs could save about 348 TWh (compared to no LED use) of electricity: This is the equivalent annual electrical output of 44 large electric power plants (1000 megawatts each), and a total savings of more than $30 billion at today’s electricity prices.
When paired with light-emitting diode (LED) lights, which decrease energy use by at least 75 percent and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs, savings can be substantial. “Luminaire level lighting controls,” or LLLCs, combine LED fixtures with smart sensors to provide high-quality and environmentally responsive lighting. This money-saving technology can be especially effective in commercial buildings, as it accounts for changes in space utilization and can be coupled with other technologies, such as daylight harvesting and responsive dimming.
Codes can sometimes be complicated and difficult to navigate. This commercial application guide provides examples of how Lutron products can be used to meet or exceed code requirements. This guide focuses on Vive and Vive compatible solutions, but our other control systems offer similar features.This application guide is designed to help specifiers and contractors understand codes and Lutron controls in a simple manner. Each of the pages will lay out different spaces, the corresponding lighting control products for those spaces, and the way the system is set up in the space.
Energy-Saving Practices & Solutions
- Advanced Lighting Package
Most lighting products used in open-plan offices, warehouses and other large commercial or industrial spaces are not labeled by the ENERGY STAR program
- ENERGY STAR Lightbulbs
Information on the benefits of ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs.
- ENERGY STAR Commercial New Construction
Examples and pictures of ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures.
- ENERGY STAR Commercial Service Providers
Guide to choosing service product suppliers, verification methods, design tools
- National Lighting Product Information Program
Lighting Research Center – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Program that helps consumers find and use energy efficient lighting products.
- North Carolina and South Carolina Lighting Incentive Application
Duke Energy: Energy Efficiency for Business
Author: Better Bricks LLC
In this case study, the historic Pacific Tower in Seattle integrated LLLCs to help reduce energy costs while providing for a variety of tenant types with different lighting needs. As a result, the building has reduced its energy use by 80 percent compared its older system.
- The Department of Energy’s Outdoor Lighting Accelerator helps state and local governments move closer toward a clean energy economy using high performance technologies that reduce the cost of an essential public service–street lighting. While LED street lighting technology is gaining greater acceptance in some regions across the country, market perceptions and barriers still prevented municipalities from taking full advantage of the energy savings and cost benefits of high performance lighting, especially LED upgrades.
- Certified Lighting Professional Locator: National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions find Lighting Certified professionals in your area.
- DOE Municipal Solid-State Street Lighting Consortium Information on evaluating and selecting LED outdoor light fixtures
- Find a Lighting Designer: International Association of Lighting Designers locate a lighting designer to help meet your lighting needs.