What to Ask for Your
Indoor Commercial Lighting Projects
A holistic approach to installing luminaires improves your
indoor lighting system’s success
Indoor commercial lighting, particularly
in office buildings, is meant to provide well
distributed light that will not cause glare or
interfere with worker performance. Therefore,
installing a commercial lighting system is more
than simply replacing luminaires. In fact, there
are many things to consider with getting an
efficient lighting system, such as state and
local regulations, proper light distribution,
control settings and utility rebates. It all
depends on what you’re trying to achieve.
Some advanced lighting systems can
increase the cost of your construction
project up front, so your lighting designer
needs to know how to justify these costs
with energy savings, maintenance and
productivity. That’s why it’s important to
understand the building owner’s business
priorities, either it be style, efficiency
and/or affordability. This white paper
will guide you question-by-question to
getting answers for each factor of your
project’s lighting system.
QUESTION #1—What are My Goals?
Commercial lighting has long been a key source of energy savings. There
are utility incentive programs and tax deductions available to owners of new or
existing commercial buildings that have been constructed or retrofitted to save on
energy. While there are many benefits to moving into an efficient lighting system,
there are also other things to review besides energy savings. Therefore, ask your
building’s owner what his or her business objectives are for the project, which
could be any of the following:
• Improve look and feel by creating uniformity of illumination
• Reduce environmental impact and preserve natural resources
• Decrease maintenance and labor costs
• Increase energy savings
Goals Defined
When an owner is looking at creating uniformity, he or she is looking
at enhancing the visual quality. It’s all about combining visual comfort with
efficiency. LEDs are good for lighting quality because of the intensity of
illumination on the areas of interest and the uniformity of illumination. Unlike
fluorescent lamps, LEDs are directional in nature and when combined with
a unique optic, LEDs can create a specified beam spread; so you can create
illumination in specific areas of interest.
Look at the Color Rendering Index (CRI), which is a system derived from
visual experiments. To achieve a good CRI, you must use a high quality
phosphor. To see if you are comparing apples to apples with LED lighting,
you need to look at the CRI.
To achieve a quality environment of color rendition and quality light, the
R9 value (or saturated red) is an important value to look at because it’s where
LEDs are the weakest. For instance, a negative R9 value is seen in cheaper
manufactured LED lamps. It is also important to note that CRI is different
than Correlated Color Temperature (CCT).
LEDs are also the most environmentally friendly lighting option available.
They last longer than other lighting products, and they won’t need replaced
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nearly as often. Therefore, this is good for decreasing costs on maintenance, labor
and disposal. LEDs also contain no mercury and use less heat, which could reduce
cooling costs.
As you can see, LEDs will help your building’s owner to save on energy.
However, when do you go with a LED versus an energy efficient fluorescent
option? It just depends on your project’s budget. For example, an energy efficient
fluorescent lamp can still get you some of the benefits of a LED, such as some
energy savings and possibly reducing maintenance costs. It’s a good alternative
to HID fixtures and produces less glare. However, even an energy efficient
fluorescent won’t give you the amount of savings as a LED.
All fluorescent lamps require a small amount of mercury to operate them,
so they are not environmentally friendly. The government has recognized how
these types of products can cause pollution in our landfills, so now the Restriction
of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) requires proper recycling of
fluorescent lamps.
Also, it’s important to note that while it can cost less upfront to purchase a
fluorescent lamp, you won’t get as many savings as a LED long-term. There may
be incentives for installing LEDs throughout the facility.
Furthermore, when deciding on an LED or a fluorescent, decide on whether
you’re doing a full replacement or a retrofit. For example, if your building owner
cares about cost and labor, replacing a troffer may be a bigger task than you think.
So if you want the benefits of a LED and don’t want to do a complete renovation,
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you can find LED replacement tubes, such as the DirecT8
series, instead of
changing out the entire luminaire.
QUESTION #2—What Do I Look for with State and
Local Regulations?
By now, you know the importance of an energy efficient system; and since
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lighting accounts for an estimated 20 percent of electricity
ings, it’s not a surprise that regulations are consistently evolving. Therefore, it’s your
responsibility to make sure the project’s luminaires are complying with federal, state
and local regulations. So if you’re buying an energy efficient lighting option anyways, meeting those federal regulations shouldn’t be a problem. It’s the state and
local regulations that get a little tricky because every construction project is different.
Therefore, you’ll need to consult with your local utility company contact for exact
requirements and state compliance.
For example, part six of title 24 by the California Building Standards Code
was created to reduce energy consumption without compromising the quality of
lighting in California. It limits the amount of watts installed in a facility, and it
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Retrieved September 2015 from energy.gov/eere/energybasics/energy-basics
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Retrieved August 2015 from www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-110publ140/html/PLAW-110publ140.htm
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Retrieved August 2015 from energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/12/f19/gsfl_final_rule.pdf
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Retrieved August 2015 from www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/pdfs/epact2005_appliance_stds.pdf
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Retrieved September 2015 from www.ecmag.com/section/lighting/lighting-regulations
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in commercial build-
FEDERAL REGULATIONS
Produced in response to the U.S. energy policy,
the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA)
of 2007 (once called the Clean Energy Act) moved
the U.S. toward greater energy independence
and security. It implemented new standards for
increasing energy efficiency and availability of
renewable energy.5 And because regulating appliances and equipment has proven to save
on energy, Title III was created, which directly
impacted lighting energy efficiency.
The Department of Energy (DOE) enabled legislation under EISA and established a minimum lumen
amount per watt for a number of popular fluorescent
lamps and incandescent reflector lamps. DOE eliminates all 4-foot T12 lamps, some 4-foot T8 lamps and
most 8-foot lamps. All T12, T8, T5 and U-bend lamps
must meet a minimum lumen amount per watt. Any
lamp above 4500K has a slightly lower standard.
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A LOOK at the BALLAST RULE
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 addressed growing
energy problems by providing tax incentives and loan
guarantees for energy production. It also included
DOE’s Ballast Rule, which includes the use of magnetic ballasts operating T12 lamps. The new standards
were created to enforce the use of energy efficient
electronic ballasts.4 Within the pulse-start offering,
there are magnetic and electronic ballasts. These
new regulatory standards require minimum ballast
efficiencies for luminaires based on location, such
as outdoor or indoor. It covers new luminaires and
not replacement ballasts. Probe-start ballasts were
banned for luminaires with 501 to 1,000 watts.
Effective in 2009, manufactured metal halide
luminaires must comply with energy efficiency
requirements. A summary of those efficiency requirements include the following:
• No probe start ballast within metal halide lamps
rated 150W to 500W
• 150W to 500W pulse start luminaires must use a
magnetic ballast with at least 88 percent efficiency
• Lamps greater than 250W may include
an electronic ballast if it’s at least 92
percent efficiency
Compliance is required by February 10, 2017,
and it will affect the availability of 50 to 1,000 watt
luminaires.
so you have several options to make sure you stay
compliant:
• Move to a LED
• Find a different version of fluorescent
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Ballast regulations are getting stronger,
requires lighting to be controlled for efficient operation. Many
rebate categories
applications are now required to have advanced dimming controls,
occupancy and daylight sensors.
Another example is the Chicago Plenum, which states that any
fixture installed in Chicago needs to have special gasketing to completely enclose the fixture wireway to prevent electrical fires.
Also, the New York City code for light fixtures requires them to be
built with 20-guage steel or better. It ensures the fixture is durable.
To find state and local energy efficiency programs, visit
www.sba.gov/content/state-and-local-energy-efficiency-programs.
QUESTION #3—Where Do I Start with Utility Rebates?
Before starting your lighting project, research your building
owner’s utility rebate options. It will help you see what type of new
lighting equipment is needed to obtain the rebate. A number of the
programs out there will require pre-authorization to confirm your
project qualifies for a rebate. That pre-authorization must happen
before any lighting product is purchased for the project.
Utility rebates can be very complex because every type of rebate
has its own incentives, goals and procedures. Not one utility rebate
is the same. There’s a lot that goes into a lighting utility rebate. The
majority of these programs are administered by states, municipal
utilities and electric cooperatives; so the amounts vary based on the
product’s technology and program administrator. Utility rebates are
typically broken down into three categories—prescriptive, midstream
and custom (see below). It’s important to seek support from a lighting
manufacturer throughout the process to see where you qualify and
how you can get the highest return.
More information on utility rebates can be found in TCP’s white
paper titled, “Simplifying Commercial Lighting Utility Rebates When
It Seems Impossible.”
PRESCRIPTIVE
straight forward
OBTAIN:
meet energy guidelines
•
submit the application
•
to receive the rebate
MIDSTREAM
select energy
efficient lighting
INCENTIVE OFFERINGS:
purchase select products
at reduced cost at time
of sale.
CUSTOM
custom rebates
OBTAIN:
on-site inspection
•
receive rebate based
•
on energy savings
before and after
QUESTION #4—What Certifications are Important?
Just because a luminaire isn’t ENERGY STAR® rated doesn’t
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mean it’s not energy efficient. Check the DesignLights Consortium
(DLC) Qualified Products List (QPL) to help you decide on what’s
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energy efficient.
ENERGY STAR is for lamps while DLC has
qualifications for energy efficient fixtures.
You also need to consider what the Underwriters Laboratories
(UL) listing is for a fixture. All UL approved products must include the
UL listing mark, which means it’s been tested and the product meets
nationally recognized safety standards. Look to see if the lighting
product is rated for dry, damp or wet locations.
QUESTION #5—How Much Light Do I Need?
It’s crucial to determine the
right amount of light. When you
choose levels too low, you’re
risking the success of your project.
When you choose levels too high,
you’re risking too much money
being spent on energy consumption. Depending on your goal,
the required light distribution may
range from broad to narrow. LEDs
are generally suitable for narrow
distribution, and an energy
efficient fluorescent is good
for broad distribution. It just
depends on what you’re trying
to accomplish with your indoor
lighting project.
Having balanced light
distribution throughout your space
can make it a wonderful place to
spend time, but bad lighting can
make the finest contracting work look cheap. That’s why we suggest
a LED lighting product for those looking for quality lighting to get an
improved look. But because LEDs don’t waste light like a fluorescent,
you can get sharper shadows when not used correctly. Therefore, you
must make sure that you’re buying the correct number of fixtures and
spacing them out evenly.
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Retrieved September 2015 from www.ledlightingrebates.com/dlc
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In order to have great lighting design, you need to consider the
types of lighting to produce integration within your facility, such as
ambient or general, accent and task. The Illuminating Engineering
Society of North America (IES) recommends the most widely
accepted method for determining lighting levels while integrating
each type, which is measured in foot-candles.
To get your desired light, look at the audience who will be using
this facility. What are their ages? What is the area being used for?
Those questions must be answered to hit proper levels of illumination.
Refer to the chart on the right to see recommended light levels.
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Many people like to predict the average illuminance level in a
room by looking at the amount of lumens. However, this method has
some drawbacks, because it doesn’t determine the range of light
intensity in a room and the difference in where intensity occurs.
For example, a lumen is equal to one foot-candle, and one lux is
one lumen per square meter. Illuminance is measured by the intensity
to which something is illuminated; not the amount of light it’s producing. This too is measured in foot-candles and looks at how much light
falls on an area at a particular distance. Candlepower is a way of
measuring how much light is produced by the lamp, but it’s not the
amount of light at the area you want lit. That’s why it’s important to
look at the foot-candles when choosing your lamps and not your
lumen level. Therefore, to see how bright something is, you must
consider the source and the target you want lit.
Many people over light their facility. You might find that you won’t
need as many fixtures. To compare what the building is currently
producing in light to what you think it should be producing in light,
conduct a lighting audit. It’s a good way to get a detailed room-byroom analysis to see what is really needed for the application, and
it will help you to reduce costly changes and create a suitable
lighting environment that will meet your owner’s objectives.
Lighting design is determined by the appropriate type and
calculations. There is software and lighting manufactures who
will help you determine the types of lamps you’ll need for your
application. Once you know how much light distribution you should
have, decide where to place your luminaires. How much light you
need is determined by where you’re placing the luminaires. For
office buildings, this is especially important to avoid glare and
reflections. Where you place those luminaires determines if you
should emphasize or minimize a surface texture.
Recommended Light Levels
for Specific Areas
SEE REFERENCE 7—U.S. General Services Administration
AREA
Office Space
Normal work station space, open
or closed offices
ADP Areas 100
Conference Rooms 300
Training Rooms 500
Internal Corridors 200
Auditoriums 150-200
Public Areas –
Entrance Lobbies, Atriums 200
Elevator Lobbies, Public Corridors 200
Pedestrian Tunnels and Bridges 200
Stairways 200
Support Spaces
Rest Rooms 200
Staff Locker Rooms 200
Storage Rooms, Janitors’ Closet 200
Electrical Rooms, Generator Rooms 200
Mechanical Rooms 200
Communication Rooms 200
Maintenance Rooms 200
Loading Docks 200
Trash Rooms 200
Specialty Areas
Dining Areas 150-200
Kitchens 500
Out-leased Space 500
Physical Fitness Space 500
Child Care Centers 500
Structured Parking, General Space 50
Structured Parking, Intersections 100
Structured Parking, Entrances 500
NOMINAL ILLUMINATION LEVEL
in Lumens/Square Meter (Lux)
500
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Retrieved September 2015 from www.gsa.gov/portal/content/101308
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QUESTION #6—Should I Have Lighting Controls?
As discussed with California’s regulations, building energy codes
are adopting occupancy sensors. Lighting controls can decrease
energy costs by automatically changing during certain times of the
day or when no one is present. They can also change the area to
meet its purpose or enhance a mood. However, lighting controls
are not included in federal energy conservation standards and are
partially included in state and local building codes.
Once you see what your state and local regulations are, you’ll be
able to see what’s needed for finding a compatible fixture. Again, it’s
all about deciding if you’re going to replace the entire luminaire or
do a retrofit. This will determine what type of product you’ll need to
purchase to have complete control of your lighting system.
No matter if you’re constructing or retrofitting an existing or new
commercial building, a strategic approach is needed; so, you
must ask yourself the right questions to meet the building owner’s
objectives. Approaching commercial lighting as a complete system
rather than a simple replacement will help you to achieve just that.
®
TCP
©TCP NOV 2015/56501
we know light.
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