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ENERGY ISSUES

With the call for energy savings on a per-square-foot basis, many businesses are reconsidering use of different technologies. In retail settings, some but not all retailers can live with restrictions.

Some large retailers use fluorescents for a uniform light and can achieve it using 1.9W psf [per square foot]. But you walk in a mall and some stores are using incandescent lights, 6 to 8W psf to get the drama they need for mannequin heads and end-counter displays. They give you a narrow focus for drama. Yet the trend in the last tseveral years for national chains is to switch out those incandescent to new T4 metal halide source in track and down-lighting, because it is operating at three times the efficiency while generating one-third to one-fourth of the heat. The AC then works better and is less expensive.

Lighting Controls Discussion

Last Updated on Tuesday, 12 October 2010 21:44

Lighting Controls: Current Use, Major Trends and Future Direction

By Craig DiLouie, Lighting Controls Association

Lighting automation is now becoming the rule rather than the exception, according to a new market research study funded by The Watt Stopper and conducted by Ducker Research. The study found that lighting automation is being used in a majority of new construction and renovation projects in the office and school markets.

Approximately 65% of these projects feature lighting automation. The research was made available as part of the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Lighting Research Program—a two-year, $5.2 million research and development program that creates new lighting technology and products that can save energy, reduce peak demand, and reduce pollution for the citizens of California.

The study also found that specifiers and users are very interested in the advantages of controls—primarily energy savings and energy code compliance—but seek simple, low-cost solutions. Four popular control technologies—building automation systems, lighting control panels, occupancy sensors and daylighting systems—are regarded as effective and relatively problem-free. Occupancy sensors and scheduling systems dominate.

Major potential technology advances regarded as most desirable include standard protocols along with plug-and-play solutions and low-cost electronic dimming ballasts. Standard protocols and low-cost electronic dimming ballasts were identified as technology advances that would have the greatest impact on lighting control application.

“The top trends in terms of importance to specifiers and end-users is the adoption of standard protocols to enable lighting components to talk to each other, as well as integration of lighting automation systems with building management systems,” said David Peterson, Director, Strategic Market Development for The Watt Stopper. “A significant upcoming trend is occupant control of lighting via personal dimming.”

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Lighting distributors are typically not in the product development business. However, Tarrant Lighting uses it’s broad knowledge base to develop such leading edge products as the popular FITZ fixture now on the market and saving energy dollars nationwide.

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