Controls and Sensors
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Introduction
In California, lighting accounts for almost 40% of commercial electricity use and about 25% of home electricity use. As a nation, we spend about 25% of our electricity budget on lighting, or more than $37 billion annually. Switching, energy management systems (EMS), photocells, dimming and occupancy sensors are lighting controls that can offer tremendous energy savings.
Technology Options
Switching
Reducing your lighting levels will reduce your energy consumption. For best results, make sure to select a switching device that is compatible with the space, the tasks being performed there, and the light or groups of lights being controlled. Manual, elapsed time, bi-level and clock switches all offer simple yet effective ways to save lighting energy.
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Energy Management Systems (EMS)
Energy Management Systems (EMS) are sophisticated building- or facility-wide systems that control the lights, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and other equipment to achieve energy efficiency and comfort. They function much like switches, but they are controlled by a central computer or central control panel. These systems can be expensive, but they can increase the manager's control over a facility's energy consumption and often can provide significant ongoing energy savings.
Photocells
Photocells turn off or dim lights when daylighting in the space is sufficient. Photocells are often used with outdoor lighting, but may be connected to lights near windows or under skylights. Typically, photocells are not as effective with indoor lights that are farther than 12 feet from an outdoor lighting source.
Dimming
"Daylight dimming" switches may offer appreciable energy savings for lighting near windows or skylights. "Step dimming" reduces lighting levels at fixed intervals, typically in two or three steps. Manual dimming may be appropriate for spaces where presentations or computer tasks are performed. Incandescent, fluorescent and high-intensity discharge (HID) lights all have different dimming characteristics; HID lighting is the least favorable. The three primary ways to dim fluorescent lamps are with low-voltage controlled ballasts, power-line controlled ballasts and panel-level controlled ballasts.
Occupancy Sensors
In rooms where the lights are frequently left on, or where rooms are left unoccupied for large periods during the day or night, an occupancy sensor can cut lighting costs by as much as 50%. For occupancy sensors, two technologies dominate: infrared and ultrasonic.
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See the residential Occupancy Sensors guide for more information.
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Efficiency Benefits
Lighting controls may lead to significant savings. According the U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), a large office space may realize 10% savings by simply installing timers. Using timers with daylight dimming (if available) may lead to nearly 50% savings in lighting energy. In rooms where the lights are frequently left on or in rooms that are left unoccupied for large periods of time, an occupancy sensor can cut lighting costs by as much as 50%. In a small, private office, an occupancy sensor can reduce energy use by almost 30%, shaving 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) off annual energy consumption. In a large, open office area, energy use can be reduced by approximately 10%.
Manufacturers
The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) publishes a searchable, annually udpated directory of manufacturers. Go to the IESNA website and click on “Manufacturers” in the left navigation bar.
Purchasing Tips
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