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64 E L EC TR I C AL CONNEC T I ON
W I N T E R 20 1 6
LIGHTING THEWAY TO
BUSINESS EFFICIENCY
T
he ease of updating residential
lighting to LED luminaires has
allowed for a widespread move
towards more energy efficient lighting
solutions for households. However, this
wave of updates has not yet had the
same impact on commercial buildings
in Australia. Businesses operating in
older buildings are often burdened with
outdated lighting solutions, meaning
higher energy use, and consequently
higher costs.
On average, lighting accounts for up
to 50% of a business’ energy usage,
yet updating it is generally one of
the simplest methods with which to
reduce energy use and its expense.
As awareness of sustainable practices
increases, and consumers become
savvier when it comes to energy use, the
demand for ‘green’ commercial buildings
is expected to increase.
LED lighting solutions can reduce
energy use by up to 82%, when
compared with conventional solutions.
They can result in reduced operating
costs, impacting the appeal of a
commercial property to potential
lessors. They also appeal to the growing
sustainability-minded market
in Australia.
Office buildings rank highly when
it comes to energy intensity, and as
established lighting can have a heavy
impact on energy consumption. Currently
only 26% of Australian office space has a
NABERS star rating, indicating high rates
of inefficient space. This presents a great
opportunity for contractors, and a great
business case for building owners to
invest in a lighting overhaul.
For electrical contractors, there
are a few key considerations when it
comes to updating the existing lighting
infrastructure in a commercial building.
KEYCONSIDERATIONS
Comfort:
As with the home
environment, lighting in the workplace
will invariably impact comfort.
In the workplace the impacts of
lighting can be even more acutely felt,
and can affect productivity. Office
workers spend between eight and nine
hours a day at their desks – therefore it
is important to consider comfort from a
lighting perspective, including exposure
to natural light, light quality, application,
glare control and lux.
AS HOMES AROUND THE
NATION UPGRADE TO ENERGY
EFFICIENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS,
CONTRACTORS SHOULD BE
SURE NOT TO FORGET THEIR
COMMERCIAL COUNTERPARTS.
PHILIPS LIGHTING TRADE
CHANNEL MANAGER
STEVE
ARTHUR
EXPLAINS.
GUIDING LIGHT
BY
STEVE
ARTHUR