| Occupancy Based Lighting Control | | | | the past several years, the use of lighting controls has |
| (An Intelligent Way to Save Energy) | | | | increased throughout the country and organizations |
| USES: | | | | that have implemented lighting controls have realized a |
| Lighting controls play a critical role in electric lighting | | | | wide range of benefits. Some of the benefits Include: |
| systems, providing the function of turning the lights on | | | | Energy savings: Perhaps the primary benefit is that of |
| and off using a switch or adjusting light output up and | | | | energy savings. Lighting controls can result in energy |
| down using a dimmer. Properly specified and installed, | | | | savings of more than 30%, reducing building operating |
| lighting controls help managers achieve an | | | | costs by 10% or more. |
| organization's goals for lower energy costs, improved | | | | Convenience: When selected and implemented |
| worker satisfaction and greater flexibility. | | | | correctly, lighting controls operate transparently in the |
| The energy consumption of lighting can reach 20-60% | | | | background, enabling users to reduce their energy |
| of total electric consumption in any office building or at | | | | usage conveniently and without disruption for building |
| any private or public places. On national scale the | | | | occupants. |
| reduction of this energy consumption can be vital. One | | | | Flexibility: Many lighting control systems are designed |
| of the most effective energy savings opportunities not | | | | for maximum flexibility, to accommodate changes in |
| typically employed by conventional, discrete | | | | workspace configuration, schedules, and activities. |
| component control systems is some form of | | | | Information: Some lighting control systems can provide |
| occupancy control strategy. Energy-efficient lighting | | | | a great deal of information about lighting energy usage, |
| control of buildings includes infrared/ultrasonic | | | | identifying when and how much energy is being used |
| occupancy devices. | | | | by a specific department or facility space. This |
| Dimming increases lamp life and saves energy - a light | | | | information facilitates the ability to divide overhead |
| that is dimmed by 25% uses about 20% less energy | | | | costs among departments accurately. |
| while lamp life is increased fourfold. Automatic lighting | | | | Productivity: One less tangible benefit of significant |
| controls can save energy and improve safety. They | | | | economic value to businesses is the increase in |
| offer convenience to homeowners and can be a | | | | employee productivity that can result from optimal |
| high-tech portion of a whole-house automation system. | | | | lighting. |
| Increased Energy Efficiency by Using Occupancy | | | | Application Areas: |
| Sensors Today, nearly 60% of an average business's | | | | This is an obvious choice for areas with access to |
| energy usage occurs in lighting its facilities. Next to | | | | natural light, such as atriums, perimeter offices, hall |
| heating and air conditioning systems, lighting systems | | | | ways, and other types of areas with skylights. Most |
| account for the greatest energy consumption and | | | | exterior lighting will be ideally suited for light level control |
| costs. These significant costs can be managed more | | | | as well, such as parking areas, customer service areas |
| effectively through the use of lighting controls. Over | | | | (i.e., drive-through facilities), and building entranceways. |