Best Practice Guide

Commercial Office Buildings

Introduction

Planning an Energy Program

Funding and Approval

Lighting

Offices and Workstations

Daylighting

Hallways and Corridors

Restrooms and Closets

Signage

Outdoor Areas

Building Envelope

Central HVAC System

Distributed Generation

Demand Response

Commissioning

Procurement Policy

Water Use

Education

Energy Efficiency in Telecommuting

Resources and Appendices

Lessons Learned


Adobe Systems Incorporated and Cushman & Wakefield

Arden Realty and next>edge

Cypress Semiconductor

Equity Office Properties

Glenborough Realty Trust

Natural Resources Defense Council

Qualcomm

Swinerton, Inc.

Transwestern Commercial Services


View the Glossary

Lighting

Hallways and Corridors

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Corridors and hallways tend to copy the lighting choices used in workspaces. Too often this means repeating the same fluorescent lighting designs, even though walking safely through a hallway requires far fewer lumens than reading or working on a computer. T8 fluorescent fixtures, which save energy in most applications, are wasteful when used to light hallways. T12s, of course, are even worse.

Pendants and wall sconces that use compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) save energy and money. CFLs consume about 72 percent less energy than incandescent lamps, and have lower lumen levels as well as total wattage compared to full fluorescent fixtures. CFLs come in a wide array of designs and sizes to suit any style and space, adding decorative flourishes or architectural highlights that create a sense of change as occupants move from one area to the next.

Business Examples

Glenborough Realty Trust has replaced all incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) in hallways at its corporate office. CFLs are also being systematically installed across Glenborough's property portfolio. Facility staff are instructed to look at every possible fixture where this conversion could be applied. Glenborough's Energy Team Partner Light SourceĀ® then analyzes orders placed by facility staff through a customized on-line ordering platform, recommending energy-saving products as appropriate for each property.


Resources

Energy Design Resources. Design Brief: Efficient Lighting Systems.

Strandberg, E. Brightening Up Hallways and Corridors. Lighting Design Lab web page.