Commercial Office Lighting Audit: Top Five Reasons Building Owners and Operators Should Seek a Professional Assessment

Building owners and operators are becoming increasingly aware of the impact lighting can have on energy costs and the way it can contribute to savings. But the best lighting technology for each application must first be identified before maximum savings can be achieved.

To help explain the importance of such an assessment, experts with GE Lighting have identified five reasons why building owners and operators should seek a professional lighting audit to help achieve an ideal office lighting design and maximize energy efficiency.

Re-lamping with more efficient linear fluorescent lighting can be an easy path to annual energy savings.
Re-lamping with more efficient linear fluorescent lighting can be an easy path to annual energy savings.

Energy and cost savings await

According to the Building Operating Managers Association, utility expenses have grown 9 cents per square foot during the last 14 years. A lighting audit can compare energy usage rates and explore more efficient alternatives to a property’s existing technologies, indoors and out.

Also, in addition to energy savings, rebates on LED lighting help reduce initial costs. While requirements vary based on local programs, many lighting professionals are willing to work closely with building owners to help identify eligibility and discover these additional savings.

Stricter efficiency standards

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, energy consumption in buildings accounts for two-thirds of the total electricity demand in the United States. To address and reduce this demand, federal, state and local governments have established codes requiring more energy-efficient practices in both existing buildings and new construction. A professional lighting audit takes into account all applicable regulations.

Good lighting makes a great impression

The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America recommends a 30-50 foot-candle (fc) range for ambient (general) office lighting, yet the average workspace is lit to 60 fc. Over-lighting can mean unnecessary eye strain for occupants and higher energy costs for companies.

The California Lighting Technology Center and the California Energy Commission PIER Program found that utilizing low energy-consumption, LED-based localized task lighting as the primary layer of light resulted in a 50-percent savings in office lighting energy usage and user satisfaction—evidencing the extent to which a simple lighting design change can make a significant difference.

Maintenance costs

Replacing current lamps with long-life energy-efficient lamps can lead to considerable maintenance savings, particularly in areas with difficult-to-access lamps. A professional lighting audit can help identify where installing new fixtures or re-lamping may reduce maintenance costs over time.

Most workspaces today are over-lit. To avoid this, it is best to layer different types of lighting such as ambient and task lighting.
Most workspaces today are over-lit. To avoid this, it is best to layer different types of lighting such as ambient and task lighting.

Sustainability is here to stay

Practices aimed at cultivating sustainability are commonly becoming part of the culture of companies. Efficient, well-designed lighting is an important piece of this sustainability picture, and a professional lighting audit can help a company achieve its goals for greater energy efficiency.

For more information about lighting audits for commercial office space, visit www.gelighting.com/office.

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