Lighting technologies developed in the past 10 years can help us cut lighting costs 40% to 60% while enhancing lighting quality and reducing environmental impacts. To save lighting energy you can lower wattage, reduce the light's on-time, and utilize daylighting.

In addition, a design that recognizes what tasks will occur in a given area and sizing the lighting to that task will maximize the energy efficiency. Whether using general energy cost cutting measures or designing the lighting specifically for a given area, it is important to consider the quality of the light, which can affect the level of comfort. This is where liteLOGIX assists its customers best. Our experience in the design of highly efficient lighting systems will optimize the savings capabilities for all types of lighting systems.

  Ambient lighting provides security and safety, as well as general illumination for doing daily activities.
  Task lighting provides enough illumination that tasks can be completed accurately but not so much light that entire areas are illuminated. Range from large simple parts assembly to small precise assembly.
  Accent lighting illuminates walls so they blend more closely with naturally bright areas like ceilings and windows.

Light quality affects how well people can see to do visual tasks and how visually comfortable they feel. Light quality is important to energy efficiency because spaces with higher quality lighting need less illumination. High-quality lighting is fairly uniform in brightness and has no glare.

Incandescent is the least expensive to buy and the most expensive to operate. It has the shortest life span of the common lighting types and is relatively inefficient compared with other lighting types.

Replacing incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps provides energy savings of 60% to 75%. Tungsten halogen bulbs use about 60% less power than standard incandescent and provide longer service. They are considerably more expensive than standard incandescent.

HID lights are similar to incandescent in appearance and compactness with concentrated and directed light output.

		They are not very energy efficient compared to energy efficient fluorescent, however are the most common light source in industrial and commercial buildings.
		The use of controls, daylighting, and sensors are not conducive with HID lighting, limiting the ability to save energy.

Fluorescent is an energy efficient lighting choice because it is about four times as efficient as incandescent lighting.

		Fluorescent lighting is used for both ambient and task lighting.
		They normally last about 10 times longer than incandescent and 3 times that of HID.
		The following points will help in selecting the best fluorescent light bulbs:
		Select fluorescent bulbs with electronic ballasts.
		For compact fluorescent, select a ballast base that is separate from the bulb. The ballast will outlive the bulb, letting you change the bulb only.
		Select the longest rated life.
		The efficiency of lights is measured by the amount of lumens created per watt of electricity expended. For example, fluorescent lights may range from 22-85 lumens per watt.
		The Color Rendering Index (CRI) and Kelvin Temperature should be suggested and explained by your lighting specialist.

LED's are small, solid light bulbs that are extremely energy efficient. Until recently, LED's have been limited to single bulb use. Manufacturers have expanded the application by clustering the small bulbs. This opens the door to many energy efficient retrofits/replacements.

LED's are on the path to become the next generation of standard lighting.

Improving Lighting Controls Can Save Money

Lighting controls are simply devices for turning lights on and off or for dimming them. The various types include a standard snap switch, photocells, timers, occupancy sensors, and dimmers.

  Photocells respond to natural light levels. For example, photocells switch outdoor lights on at dusk and off at dawn. Some advanced designs gradually raise and lower fluorescent light levels with changing daylight levels.
  Mechanical or electronic timers automatically turn on and off indoor or outdoor lights.
  Occupancy sensors activate lights when a person is in the area and then turn off the lights after the person has left.
  Dimmers reduce the wattage and output of incandescent and fluorescent lamps but will save energy only when used consistently.
  For outdoor lighting, photocells respond to daylight levels and activate the light operation when dark. Photocells with an infrared or ultra-sonic detector activate the lighting circuit for nighttime operation, and the sensor turns on the light, responding to the presence of people.

Maintenance

Proper maintenance is vital to efficient lighting. The amount of light produced decreases over time because of aging lamps and dirt on fixtures, lamps, and room surfaces. This can reduce total illumination by 50% or more, while lights continue drawing full power.

  Energy efficient fluorescent T5/T8 lamps will only depreciate about 6% over their life. HID lamps will depreciate 50% at half of their life expectancy.
  T5/T8 lamp life is now improving beyond 39,000 hours of operation.
  HID lamps have a life expectancy of approximately 20,000 hours.

Optimize Energy Efficiency and Lighting Quality

Simple changes in your lighting can improve lighting quality and levels, make visual tasks easier, and save money on energy costs. Consider the following:

  Reduce light levels where there are no visual tasks.
  Provide necessary light for safety, security, and aesthetics.
  Provide adequate light levels for visual tasks.
  Provide task lighting based on the difficulty of visual tasks.
  Reduce glare and brightness contrast.
  Use daylight where possible and practical.