Tips for reducing your  lighting costs.

In most buildings, lighting is one of the major users of electricity. In commercial and industrial buildings, lights are the first things turned on in the morning and the last things switched off (if at all).

There have been dramatic improvements in lighting efficiency. Ten years ago, the 40-Watt fluorescent lamp, the workhorse of commercial lighting, was changed. First 40-Watt T-12 lamps (1.5 diameter) were replaced with 34-Watt energy saving T-12 lamps. Magnetic ballasts were replaced with more efficient electronic ballasts. Next came smaller diameter T-8 lamps (1 diameter). These lamps consume 32-Watts, but produce more light than their older counterparts. Now T-5 lamps (5/8 diameter) are entering the market. Not designed as a replacement for T-8 lamps, these skinny tubes are well suited for indirect cove lighting and are also being used as replacements for 400-Watt metal-halide fixtures used in warehouses. Unlike metal halide lamps that change color and grow dimmer as they age, fluorescent lamps offer excellent color rendition, long lamp life, and maintain their light output over their life.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) continue to improve. Available in a wide range of Wattages, a 27-Watt compact fluorescent lamp produces as much light as a 100-Watt incandescent lamp and lasts 4 to 5 times as long. Many offices use 200-Watt incandescent lamps in recessed fixtures in high-ceiling lobbies. New 65-Watt CFLs can deliver the same light and reduce the hassle of frequent lamp replacement.

All fluorescent lamps use ballasts to produce the high voltage needed for the lamp to operate. As mentioned earlier, modern electronic ballasts offer superior energy efficiency over older magnetic ballasts. To achieve maximum energy savings and lamp life, ballasts should be matched to the lamps and type of application. Use ballasts designed for the type of lamp installed. Now consumers can purchase special dimming ballasts, which allow fluorescent light systems to be dimmed — automatic controls can adjust brightness to compensate for changing daylight levels or provide task-specific lighting levels while saving energy. Occupancy sensors can be used to switch lights on and off automatically. They are particularly effective in conference rooms, classrooms and offices that have erratic occupancy schedules and may be vacant much of the day. I have one in my office and it works very well. Use program-start rather than instant-start ballasts in these applications.

Take a look around your building. Look at the type of lighting installed. Does it meet your needs? How old is it? If your lighting system is more than 5 years old, chances are you could benefit from an upgrade. Lighting system upgrades save energy directly by providing more light for less energy. Lower lighting energy use also reduces the cooling load, saving you more. Finally, new lighting systems can reduce maintenance expenses. Want more information? Call or email your Jackson EMC representative.

Don't forget, the best way to reduce lighting energy usage is to turn lights off.