by Shane Henson — December 19, 2011—As businesses make their buildings more cheery in time for Christmas and the new year through the use of lighting, the U.K.-based Carbon Trust has launched a new guide to help them save money and energy while providing better lighting in the process.
Titled Lighting Technology Overview (CTV049), the publication offers U.K. businesses guidance on how to choose the most energy-efficient lighting without compromising on the quality of the light emitted.
Tips from the guide include:
- Install effective lighting controls. They are the key to ensuring that the right light is provided in the right place at the right time. It does not matter how efficient a luminaire might be—if it is not controlled it will waste energy and money, and lead to unnecessary CO2 emissions.
- Don’t rule out a more thorough refurbishment. It may appear difficult to replace existing wiring arrangements, but the benefits of making a deeper refurbishment often outweigh the cost and inconvenience.
- Think about luminaires, not just lamps. Lamps are housed in fixtures called luminaires. Make sure they are designed to avoid glare on computer screens, and consider illuminating the walls and ceilings so that the user’s whole visual field is considered and not just their desk.
- Maintain luminaires regularly. This includes cleaning, especially the reflectors and panel diffusers, and ensures the lighting performs as it was designed.
- Don’t rule out a more thorough refurbishment. It may appear difficult to replace existing wiring arrangements, but the benefits of making a deeper refurbishment often outweigh the cost and inconvenience.
