Energy-Efficient Lighting

What Is Energy Efficient Lighting?
Energy efficient lighting uses a comprehensive approach to lighting and lighting upgrades. It involves a combination of strategies such as relying on more natural daylight, using energy efficient light bulbs that operate at a lower wattage, improving lighting controls, adjusting light to appropriate task levels and performing regular, basic maintenance on light fixtures to keep them running longer. Applying these simple steps on a disciplined basis lowers electricity costs and creates more comfortable work environments.

How Can This Improve Air Quality?
Lower energy usage reduces the levels of fossil fuels burned at power plants, which, in turn, reduces the levels of air pollutants that negatively impact ozone. According to the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network, commercial establishments consume 20% to 30% of their total energy just for lighting.

At the same time, nearly half of that energy is wasted because of inadequate maintenance, obsolete equipment or inefficient use. Reducing wasted energy resulting from inefficient lighting practices and lowering energy usage also translates into lower emissions of nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide into the environment, which improves air quality. Facilities that have implemented energy efficient lighting strategies have, on average, reduced energy use for lighting by 48%.

Who Should Participate?
Anyone responsible for architectural design of lighting for buildings, facilities management and building maintenance should pursue energy efficient lighting strategies and join Clean Air Counts!

Why Should You Participate in Energy Efficient Lighting?

Benefits of energy efficient lighting practices include: