Energy Efficiency Measure No. LiTE 1.01 SWITCH TO A MORE EFFICIENT LIGHTING SYSTEM

ENERGY SAVING AREA:                                    LIGHTING COMPONENT CATEGORY:                                    LAMPS ACTION TYPE(S):                                        Replace   /  Install

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TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION of the Measure (Suggested Action):

Replace existing lighting system with one using more efficient light sources and/or more efficient luminaires. 

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: In any kind of building but particularly in office, commercial and industrial buildings. Important also for street lighting.

CAUTIONS SUMMARY and CONSIDERATIONS:  Ts.

PROBLEMS due to LACK of THIS ECO (Background):  Electricity wastes due to the use of a inefficient lighting system.

SIDE BENEFITS: The switch of the lighting system to a more efficient one usually produces also improvements in the lighting comfort. It has been demonstrated that such improvement in turn, lead also to enhanced workers' productivity.

DISADVANTAGES: none known

IMPLEMENTATION COST: Sometimes the replacement of the lighting system implies also the renewal of the ceiling to host new fixtures, rearrange the wiring, etc. This retrofit action may turn to be too expensive and not always cost-effective.

COST EFFECTIVENESS: The improvement of the lighting system can be very cost-effective, particularly in those situations where the lighting load factor is high, the lamps are of incandescent type and no controls are installed.

O & M REQUIREMENTS AND RELATED COST VARIATION: Maintenance costs could decrease for reduced lamp replacement time interval.

DECISIONAL & EVALUATION PROCEDURE

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY: The upgrading of a lighting system should tackle the whole system. Therefore, it is important not only to address to single component (e.g. control, lamps, luminaires, etc.) but to assess everything with a system view.

IMPLIED ECOS: I

GENERAL COMMENTS and RECOMMENDATIONS

BASELINE TECHNOLOGY to be upgraded: Existing situation or the minimum lighting requirement required by norms.

ENERGY SAVING POTENTIAL: The Energy saving potential depends on the type of retrofit implemented with respect to previous situation. . High Efficency Lamps can save up to 70%. Controls can also save more than 30-40%

AUDIT & IMPLEMENTATION DECISION PROCEDURE: An Audit of the existing Lighting System must be carried out to identify cost-effective measures. The Investment costs must consider not only the cost of new technologies, but also the installation and adaptation costs. The decision, as usual, depends on the value of the cost-effectiveness (e.g. payback time) figure.

ENERGY SAVING EVALUATION PROCEDURE: The calculation of the Energy Savings can be carried out according to International Procedure of Measurements & Verification Protocol (IPMVP) (see  http://www.ipmvp.org/ ) This Protocol foresees various Options  for Measurements.  The experience indicates that a pilot-retrofit, carried out on a limited area of the property, can lead to a positive decision of the management  more often than showing sample cases or best practices in other countries or similar companies.         

EX-POST ACCEPTANCE & PERFORMANCE COMPLIANCE CHECK PROCEDURE: Acceptance and Performance check can be stated according to the IPMVP Option chosen.  It is better that the procedure for the Measurement & Verification is part of the contractual agreement between the contractor and the installer.   Don't forget that, since the savings are not measurable but can be obtained only as difference between the before and after conditions, the pre-retrofit consumption must be properly measured or stipulated, according to an agreed protocol. 

USER INFORMATION and COMMERCIAL ISSUES

ECO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT & CONSTRAINTS: T

PURCASE AND O&M PROBLEMS:  Easily available, with no problems

PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION PROBLEMS:

EASE OF USE: No problems at all

• Payback Gap,
• Market Structure,
• Aversion to downtime and to Innovation
• Decision Criteria.

COMMERCIAL INFO. ON MANUFACTURERS:

REFERENCES, LITERATURE & LINKS : BRE Digest 232, 1979.

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