Beyond the Fixture: Why Light Analysis and IESNA Best Practices are Crucial for Energy Efficiency
As professionals dedicated to energy efficiency and renewables, we understand that optimizing building performance is paramount. While upgrading to LED technology is a significant step, true energy savings in lighting go far beyond simply replacing old fixtures. They lie in the science of light itself and adhering to established best practices.
For office spaces, effective lighting design is a complex interplay of providing appropriate illumination for tasks, ensuring visual comfort, and minimizing energy consumption. This is where thorough light analysis and the standards set by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) become indispensable tools.
IESNA provides comprehensive guidelines for recommended light levels, uniformity ratios, glare control, and color rendering based on the specific application – in this case, various office tasks. Ignoring these standards can lead to over-lighting areas (wasting energy) or under-lighting (impacting productivity and comfort), or poor light quality that causes eye strain.
Space & Waste
Light that falls outside of its intended space is wasted light, and wasted light is wasted energy.
Performing a detailed light analysis allows us to:
Assess existing light levels and quality,
Identify areas of over or under-illumination, and
Design a system that meets IESNA recommendations precisely where light is needed.
Furthermore, integrating networked lighting control systems unlocks significant additional savings. These intelligent systems can utilize strategies like occupancy sensing and, critically, daylight harvesting. By dimming or turning off lights in areas receiving sufficient natural light, we prevent unnecessary energy use without compromising illumination quality for occupants.
The key takeaway? With the right lighting design partner, putting the right amount of light in the right place, guided by IESNA best practices and enhanced by smart controls, directly translates into greater energy savings for your clients.
Looking to deepen your understanding of lighting science and implement truly optimized systems?
Technology Powered Solutions has nearly 20 years of experience developing impactful lighting projects throughout the US. Reach out to us to learn how we can help you achieve your energy efficiency goals.
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