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Lighting
Lighting accounts for one-third of the energy used in commercial spaces. About half of the lighting is wasted either through inefficient bulbs, poor design or improper maintenance.
The main reasons are:
- Bulbs and reflectors use inefficient older technology and give off more heat than light (which in summer has to be removed by the air conditioning system, using more energy)!
- Companies don’t plan their lighting needs when they design their buildings or offices.
- Tenants don’t move existing lighting to suit their layout.
We recommend you do the following with your lighting:
Conduct a Simple Audit
Assess Lighting Requirements
Upgrade Fitting or Bulbs
Fit Timers or Sensors
Conduct a Simple Audit
Look for the following:
- Opportunities to maximise natural light by placing offices in areas which get the most natural light (Placing open plan offices around the building perimeter maximises daylight. Cellular offices block out the light to other areas. Place cellular offices and meeting rooms near the core, or middle of the building so they don’t block light).
- Avoid overheating in summer months look for summer shading ideas (e.g. trees, climbers or blinds)
(visit www.eeca.govt.nz for the energy audit publication)
Assess Lighting Requirements
Work out how the office is going to be used and then allocate areas by
- General lighting to illuminate the office
- Task lighting for desks or work stations
- Accent lighting if required to create mood or to highlight a feature.
Upgrade Fittings or Bulbs
Install reflectors into fittings to redirect light. Without them about half the light from a fluorescent tube is absorbed by the inside of the fitting.
Clean fittings regularly.
Install ‘occupancy sensors’ in rooms that are infrequently used (toilets/ store rooms etc)
Install electronic ballast’s and more efficient new generation bulbs (halogen bulbs with reflectors or compact fluorescent bulbs) to increase efficiency.
Replace bright bulbs with lower power ones in over lit areas, or remove some bulbs altogether.
Fit Timers or Sensors
Timers that switch lights off after a preset period are a suitable solution in open plan offices or large conference rooms where it is difficult to make a particular individual responsible for turning off lights.
Occupancy sensors are another solution. Sensors turn lights off when they have not detected movement for around 15 minutes.
Encourage Energy Saving Behaviours
Obtain "Switch Off when not in use" stickers for light switches from EECA
Remind people to switch off lights in meeting rooms and other rooms that are used only part of the time.
Last updated at 7:45pm on 12 June 2002
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