Lower Operational Costs and Improve Employee Efficiency With Intentional Lighting
Sustainability is now a primary goal for many businesses in Cincinnati. It’s a selling point for clients and investors and, at its core, a financial imperative. With lighting taking up 15% to 20% of a commercial building’s total electricity consumption, it’s one of the biggest opportunities for immediate cost reduction. Installing more efficient LED bulbs is just the beginning. A study by the California Energy Commission showed that lighting savings can reach up to 70% when switches are replaced with networked systems. This guide explains how commercial lighting control drives measurable ROI while creating a more productive environment for your team.
SEE ALSO: See How Adopting Commercial Automation Leads to Lower Overhead
Reduce Waste With Occupancy Sensors
The set-it-and-forget-it nature of occupancy sensors makes them one of the most popular tools in commercial lighting control. With these sensors, human error won’t cause lights to stay on in unused spaces. These sensors use ultrasonic or infrared sensors to detect subtle movement, so they won’t leave employees in the dark just because they're hyper-focused on work.
We recommend starting with areas like conference rooms or bathrooms. Hallways could have some that activate only after hours. If you want to take it a step further, these sensors could link to your thermostat so it automatically activates an outlet eco mode in empty rooms.
Daylight Harvesting Maximizes Available Sunlight
Daylight harvesting is a way to avoid using electrical lights when they’re not necessary. Photosensors will automatically dim electric lights when ambient light is sufficient. That same study found that daylight harvesting can reduce electricity consumption by 30%. There’s an added benefit to optimizing sunlight: employee morale. Replacing harsh artificial lighting with sunlight is a great way to reduce eye strain and headaches. Daylight harvesting also reacts to changing weather, so if an afternoon storm pulls in, the lights go back up to compensate for the darkening skies outside.
Task Tune Your Lights for Greater Efficiency
We recommend using high-end trimming, also known as task tuning, in your smart lighting system. This limits the maximum brightness of fixtures to around 80%. Unless you’re in a medical office, you likely never need them higher than that. As with sunlight, this not only reduces the amount of energy used in your space but also helps reduce glare on computers. Employees are more comfortable, and you lower your bottom line. It’s a win-win.
As part of your commercial lighting installation, you can get an energy dashboard that lets you make changes along the way. Do you see certain fixtures being used too much? It’s maybe a new place to scale your occupancy sensors. We’ll also advise you on any local utility rebates available in the Cincinnati area for those committed to sustainable business.
We look forward to speaking with you about your business lighting needs. Call or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation with our lighting specialists.