Improve your lighting systems
Lighting accounts for almost 70 per cent of tenant energy costs in commercial offices.
Using less energy doesn't mean compromising performance. More efficient lamps and fittings can deliver the same or improved lighting levels, and better controls can increase the potential for saving even more. You could reduce your lighting bill by 40-80 per cent.
Lighting upgrades include installing more efficient lamps, better reflectors for fluorescent tubes, lighting timers or movement sensors. When considering lighting options, keep in mind that different levels of illumination are required for different tasks. For example, typing or reading areas have different requirements compared with meeting rooms.
Efficient office lighting delivers the required light while minimising the amount of electricity consumed. For example, long-life products with lower wattage or electric ballast make a good choice.
Quick tips
- clean fittings and tubes to restore up to 30 per cent of light output
- remove double tubes from light fittings if they are ‘over lighting’ an area, and encourage staff and cleaners to switch off
- arrange desks near the window or re-paint in pale, reflective colours to maximise natural light in the office
- if your lease still has a few years left, consider installing energy-efficient lighting and controls. Or buy energy efficient bulbs and make sure lights are turned off when the last person leaves.
Resources
- Assessing your lighting efficiency determines energy efficiency by calculating how much lighting is used per square metre . Consider upgrades to more efficient lighting technology, including the replacement of standard fluorescent lamps with tri phosphor lamps, replacing reflectors, and installing lighting controls such as occupancy sensors and timers
- Assessing your lighting efficiency provides an overview of lighting technology
- Use a lighting calculator to evaluate the energy and greenhouse gas savings you could make by upgrading your light fittings to an energy efficient system
- Consider self-funding options to achieve upgrades with guaranteed savings through energy performance contracting
