In a time where no one can be guaranteed a fixed price on energy for very long, it makes sense to look for new ways to save. Businesses are set to experience the impact of the volatile energy market for at least the next two years. For those responsible for the management and operation of buildings, it is causing a huge headache.

One place where you can make quick and straightforward changes in order to reduce overall energy usage and lower energy bills, is switching to LED lighting. Switching to LED has many benefits and can be utilised is various ways. Let’s take a look.

Retrofit

Firstly, if you’re still stuck in the past with fluorescent lighting, then you definitely need to carry on reading. Fluorescent lighting is of a bygone era where all that we thought was ‘let there be light’, and not ‘what do we need light for’ – so luminaires were installed into our office and classroom ceilings and left to over illuminate and in some cases dazzle us, providing headaches, poor concentration, and heavy bills for years - often leading to a decrease in general wellbeing. We had little to no control over it; It controlled us. Limited settings, not easily dimmable, optically poor and although we tried to diffuse it, it was never enough. It wasn’t until about 2008* where it was concluded that, actually, high-efficiency and high-power LEDs were the only way to go.

*On 24 September 2009, Philips Lighting North America became the first to submit lamps in the category to replace the standard 60 W A-19 "Edison screw fixture" light bulb, with a design based on their earlier "Ambient LED" consumer product - SOURCE

Since then, many buildings around the world have been installed with LED luminaires, and many have been retrofitted to modern standards. But, we still have a long way to go. In fact, in 2023, production of T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps will be phased out of the European market – leaving LED to take full control. This is in accordance with both the Ecodesign and RoHS directives. By replacing outdated lighting with modern LED systems, coupled with intelligent control systems, buildings can be made more efficient, generating savings of between 60% to 80%. LED luminaires also have a life expectancy that is 20 times longer than traditional bulbs and can function for over 50,000 hours before having to be replaced. With less maintenance this also offers significant savings. When modern technology provides a better user experience, it’s time to upgrade.

Decarbonisation

Another huge consideration must be for our energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and net zero goals. The built environment remains a major contributor to climate change and is directly responsible for 25% of the total UK carbon footprint, and therefore has a critical role to play in the national transition to net zero. The public estate - Britain’s largest property portfolio - generates 2% of the UK's total carbon emissions. That figure might not seem much, but in 2020, net territorial greenhouse gas emissions in the UK were estimated to be 405.5 million tonnes, so the public estate is generating over 8 million tonnes on its own! - SOURCE

A recent IEA assessment found that efficiency actions in non-residential buildings could reduce a building’s energy use by 20% to 70%, depending on the building type and depth of measures. This includes efficient LED lighting and smart lighting controls.

Office buildings demonstrated the lowest energy use intensities, while retail spaces consistently show the highest values across different countries. Retail buildings tend to consume more energy than other commercial buildings like offices or hotels, due to use of more energy-intensive systems, limited ability to reduce energy use through behaviour, and lack of training for operating personnel. This shows the importance of capacity building and behavioural changes for improving actual energy performance of buildings.

 

Exterior lighting

But it’s not just indoors where we can make a difference. The Energy Saving Trust has reported that if every street-lamp in the UK was upgraded to LED, it could save in the region of £70million +.

Poor lighting design not only results in energy waste but light spill and light intrusion. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has estimated that 35% of artificial light is wasted by being poorly aimed or unshielded.

One way to deal with unnecessary waste is to use luminaires with high optical control. A luminaire with high optical control will offer a better direction of light and will be more energy efficient (less light waste/spill). This is something that must be brought into consideration when specifying a lighting design and must be considered should the specification of the project change.

Tips

A few bits that can be done in order to save energy, with the help of LED lighting and technology:

1. Replace fluorescent lighting with LED luminaires
2. Use of smart lighting: sensors and timers - Installing sensors or timers can help ensure that lights are only on when needed, which can help reduce energy waste.
3. Use dimmers: Dimmers can help you control the brightness of your lights, which can not only make your space more comfortable, but also help save energy.
4. Turn off lights when not in use: This may seem like a no-brainer, but turning off lights when they are not needed can make a big difference in terms of energy use – this goes hand in hand with the installation of smart lighting as lights can turn themselves off when a particular area is not in use.

In summary

Public sector organisations who lean towards lighting upgrades will not only reap the benefits from reducing their energy consumption but given the hugely increased energy costs, will also see a significant reduction when it comes to ROI. With the drive towards decarbonisation intensifying, retrofitting outdated lighting will without doubt be a vital step towards reducing environmental impact. Seeking advise and guidance from industry experts will much to the benefit of anyone searching for the answers to energy savings.

Get a FREE lighting energy survey from xcite and see exactly how much you will save.

The future of office lighting is bright, in more ways than one. With the rise of new technologies and a growing focus on employee well-being, lighting is becoming more intelligent, dynamic, and human-centric. The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a debate about the future of office work. Will we all return to our desks as if nothing happened, or will many of us become permanent remote workers?

Whatever the outcome, there will be changes to the office environment, and lighting manufacturers, specifiers, and influencers need to be prepared.

Work Lighting

In practice, a new approach to interior office lighting might look like this:

• Workstations become "floating work islands." This would allow for more flexibility in how the office space is used and would also make it easier to adapt the lighting to the needs of different tasks and activities.
• Lighting is used to create different zones and moods within the office. For example, there might be a brightly lit zone for collaboration and brainstorming, and a more subdued zone for focused work.
• Lighting is used to promote health and well-being. This could involve using lights with a specific spectrum to improve circadian rhythms or using dimmable lights to reduce glare and eye strain.

Home Workstation Lighting

As more and more people work from home, it is also important to consider the lighting in the home workstation. Ideally, the home workstation should have a dedicated space with good natural light. However, if this is not possible, it is important to choose artificial lighting that is appropriate for the task at hand.

For example, if you are using your computer for extended periods of time, you should choose a light that is dimmable and has a low blue light output. You should also avoid using overhead lights, as these can cause glare and eye strain.

 

Conclusion

Imagine walking into an office where the lighting automatically adjusts to your needs, creating the perfect balance between natural and artificial light. This not only enhances the overall ambiance but also goes a long way in boosting employee comfort and productivity. Gone are the days of harsh fluorescent lights and static illumination. The future of office lighting is all about creating a personalised and inviting atmosphere that inspires creativity and focus.

But it doesn't stop there. The advancements in office lighting technology will also have a profound impact on the health and well-being of employees. Studies have shown that exposure to natural light can improve mood, reduce stress, and increase energy levels. With the integration of smart lighting systems, offices will be able to mimic natural light cycles, providing a more holistic and rejuvenating environment for everyone.

It's not just about illuminating a workspace; it's about creating an environment that nurtures and supports the individuals within it.

Following the UK government’s approval of the Building Safety Act 2022, the message to the construction industry has been clear – future buildings where we live and work must be much stricter on safety.

But what role does lighting play within these new parameters?

Historically, lighting has been an afterthought for those in the construction process. This has led to risky spec-breaking when it comes to emergency lighting for safety.

Following the horror of the Grenfell tragedy, construction is now in a place where minimum compliance alone cannot be adhered to for new and renovated building projects. Higher quality solutions must be chosen for emergency lighting.

Emergency prioritisation

To ensure no further disasters, and the creation of environments where people feel safe and comfortable, emergency lighting must be a priority in the development and maintenance of all buildings.

While lighting for a human-centric focus should be the core for any new building, emergency lighting has to co-exist alongside it.

In the event of a mains power failure, the lighting system should provide adequate levels of illumination allowing occupants to move safely around the building. The safety of the people within a building is of the highest importance, so ensuring they can move effectively in a time of danger and distress will reduce the chance of tragedies occurring.

Considerations

For emergency lighting to serve occupants as best it can, it should consider these aspects:

• Legal requirements - Emergency lighting products must be built and tested in line with British Standards.
• Lighting design – The function of the building or room, and how likely the area(s) are to change over time.
• Maintenance and Testing - Emergency lighting should be maintained and assessed monthly to ensure it is in full working order, including a daily visual inspection and monthly testing.

 

xcite’s BAFE accreditation is as a result of quality emergency lighting system design, using fully industry compliant ‘fit-for-purpose’ luminaires.

The xcite Emergency range is also complete with Self-Test versions of each product. Current regulations dictate mandatory periodic testing requirements for Emergency Lighting to ensure correct operation in the event of a mains failure. This includes a requirement for a monthly functional test and an annual full duration test.

Often this is usually a manual test carried out by trained responsible personnel. This can be time consuming and allows for error, with testing sometimes missed.

The benefits of self-test emergency -

• More effective and reliable than manual testing
• Easy to install
• Saves time and money
• Testing causes no disruption to the normal operation of the building
• Staggered tests mean all areas are protected in the event of a power failure

Installers can be safe in the knowledge that these products provide the most effective route to achieving an emergency infrastructure that is entirely fit for purpose.

You can download the Emergency Lighting Compliance Checklist here.