What are the best practices for energy efficient lighting?

Energy efficient lighting is not only good for the environment, but also for your facility's performance and budget. Lighting accounts for about 15% of the total electricity consumption in commercial buildings, and can be reduced by up to 50% with smart choices and practices. In this article, you will learn some of the best practices for energy efficient lighting in facility management, from choosing the right bulbs and fixtures, to optimizing the lighting design and controls, to maintaining and upgrading your lighting system.

1 Choose energy efficient bulbs and fixtures

The first step to improve your lighting efficiency is to select the right bulbs and fixtures for your facility. Different types of bulbs have different levels of efficiency, lifespan, color quality, and compatibility with dimmers and sensors. Generally, LED bulbs are the most energy efficient option, as they use 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. They also produce less heat, which can reduce your cooling costs. However, not all LED bulbs are created equal, so look for the ENERGY STAR label, which indicates that the bulb meets strict criteria for efficiency, performance, and quality. You should also choose fixtures that are designed for LED bulbs, and that have reflectors, diffusers, or lenses to enhance the light distribution and reduce glare.

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Jordi Martí Solé

Industrial engineering
The first step is installing energy-efficient lighting solutions, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) with high performance rate (lumen/Watt). Secondly, rigorous dimensioning of a lighting installation is needed in order to ensure that energy used is just the necessary. And finally, It's also important take into account the lifespan.
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2 Optimize the lighting design and controls

The next step to improve your lighting efficiency is to optimize the lighting design and controls for your facility. This means adjusting the lighting levels, layout, and direction to suit the specific needs and functions of each space, and to avoid over-lighting or under-lighting. You can use a light meter to measure the illuminance, or the amount of light falling on a surface, and compare it to the recommended standards for different types of activities and tasks. You can also use natural light as much as possible, by installing windows, skylights, or light tubes, and by using light-colored walls and ceilings to reflect the light. Additionally, you can use lighting controls, such as dimmers, timers, occupancy sensors, or daylight sensors, to automatically adjust the lighting according to the presence of people or the availability of natural light. These controls can save you up to 30% of your lighting energy costs.

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Jordi Martí Solé

Industrial engineering
Use of natural light to illuminate interior spaces, reducing the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours. Obviously, this solution depends entirely on the architecture of the building. The incorporation of dynamic glazing and automated shading systems allows to optimize the levels of natural light. Smart lighting systems with occupancy sensors and daylight sensors can automatically adjust lighting levels based on the presence of occupants and the availability of natural light.
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3 Maintain and upgrade your lighting system

The final step to improve your lighting efficiency is to maintain and upgrade your lighting system regularly. This means cleaning and replacing your bulbs and fixtures as needed, to prevent dirt, dust, or damage from affecting their performance and quality. You should also monitor and evaluate your lighting system, by using meters, audits, or surveys, to identify any issues or opportunities for improvement. You should also keep up with the latest technologies and innovations in lighting, such as smart lighting systems, that can integrate with your building management system, or BMS, and provide you with more data and control over your lighting. By maintaining and upgrading your lighting system, you can ensure that it operates at its optimal level and delivers the best results for your facility.

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4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Eduardo Arazola Martínez

Creating and optimizing spaces to work and joy | FF&E | Furniture | Supply Management | Podcaster | Author
Of course the equipment is important, but the way to use it in management and in the project is too. Every sort of lamp has its own way to use it, and it's a good practice to follow that. For example, if you install lights that consume a lot of energy everytime they are switched on, then you save energy using them with less switching possible. But it can be those lamps are good if the use of the office requires many switching on/offs, and maybe another kind of light breaks down sooner, and then energy saves are compensated by new equipment cost. You choose the kind of light for your project and then you use it the way it is made for.
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Facility Management (FM)

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What are the best practices for energy efficient lighting?

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2

3

4

1 Choose energy efficient bulbs and fixtures

2 Optimize the lighting design and controls

3 Maintain and upgrade your lighting system

4 Here’s what else to consider

Facility Management (FM)

Rate this article

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What are the best practices for energy efficient lighting?

1

2

3

4

1 Choose energy efficient bulbs and fixtures

2 Optimize the lighting design and controls

3 Maintain and upgrade your lighting system

4 Here’s what else to consider

Facility Management (FM)

Rate this article

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