The need to save energy and to reduce CO2 emissions has become a driver for all those concerned in contemporary lighting.
Some of the elements that will help to make a difference would be the intelligent usage of technological development, design and planning. Lighting represents 17% of the total UK energy consumption.
Essential steps for energy saving:
- Design creatively to reduce light levels. Do not overlight.
- Use the most energy efficient light sources that have high luminous efficacy. Examples: T5 fluorescent, compact fluorescent (fluorescent Eco lamp), ceramic metal halide, and high output LEDs. A new generation of low voltage tungsten halogen lamps (Osram Energy Saver and Philips MASTERLine) offer substantial energy saving. 30% reduction in energy, with the same output, is achieved with the new 35W lamps.
Update: the new LED lamps are now replacing the fluorescent lamps and halogen lamps. - Consider using long-life lamps such as LEDs and long-life fluorescents which have a life of 50.000 hours (see Stansted 25 LED) - which represent a 10-12 year average installation file.
- Select light fittings with high LORs. Fittings with contemporary electronic control gear will not only reduce power consumption but also extend lamp-life by two to three times and can compensate for lumen depreciation over the rated lamp-life.
- Use lighting control systems in association with dimmable electronic control gear that allows switching and dimming of lighting installations. This is an obvious way of energy saving. Daylight sensing and compensation systems can also make a significant contribution.
- Implement a systematic maintenance regime to re-lamp and clean fittings on a planned basis to maintain the designed performance of the lighting installation.
The lighting systems offered by sparksdirect.co.uk are a help and a further step in accomplishing the goal of energy saving.
