ADF06_26-38 6/27/08 9:25 AM Page 31
Taking Lighting Technology
to a New Level
Eddie Guest, Commercial
Marketing Director for GE
Consumer & Industrial talks
about the importance of
energy efficient lighting in
commercial buildings.
The efficiency of traditional tubes can vary
widely; with anywhere between 15% and 60% of
the energy they consume being turned into light.
The market is responding to the challenge of
reducing carbon emissions by designing more
effective products. Energy efficient lighting is
one way that considerable amounts of electricity
can be saved in public buildings.
Substitution of standard fluorescent units for
high efficiency lighting units, can typically
generate savings of between 20% and 70%
impacting not only on emission targets but also
cutting energy costs significantly.
Installing energy efficient lighting also
contributes toward meeting Buildings
Regulations Part L. This legislation was
introduced to boost energy conservation in
buildings and puts increasing pressure on
related industries to improve the energy
performance of their products. The lighting
regulations for compliance with Part L include
L2B, which covers existing buildings other than
dwellings. This new requirement applies when
existing buildings with a floor area over
100 sq m undergo major renovation.
The lighting energy efficiency must be
upgraded with an average lamp efficiency of
ith the EU finally endorsing (the first global survey of lighting uses and less than 40 lamp lumens/circuit watt by either
W
binding measures to ensure costs) has shown that a global switch to a new luminaire or with improved lighting
ambitious emission targets efficient lighting systems would trim the world's controls. An increasing number of regulations
are met, the necessity for energy bill by nearly one-tenth. similar to this are making the issue of energy
every angle of energy While lighting may not traditionally be thought efficiency, and the implementation of relevant
efficiency technology to be explored is more of as having a huge global impact on rising technologies, impossible to ignore.
pressing than ever. Spurred by a recent EU emissions, these figures show how vital it is that The fight to establish international climate
foreign policy report which concludes that energy efficient lighting is implemented on a change goals also stepped up a gear recently,
climate change threatens global security with widespread basis – particularly within with former Prime Minister Tony Blair heading
the danger of potential environmental migrants commercial markets. up a team which aims to facilitate a global
being forced to enter Europe, the latest EU With over 68 million fluorescent tubes used agreement to cutting carbon emissions by 50%
summit shows that the threat associated with commercially in the UK, reducing the energy by 2050.
the continuing rise of damaging emissions is consumption of fluorescent lighting is key if the Every country must do its bit to contribute to
now impossible to ignore. Government is to contribute to the EU goal to the attainment of this target – and the UK’s
Buildings are responsible for over 40% of the cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2020. public sector will play a vital part in this.
world’s total primary energy consumption and Non-dwellings are responsible for 20% of the In order to reach individual, EU and
they account for 24% of world CO2 emissions. UK’s energy use and, as a part of this statistic, International targets and possibly even exceed
A considerable amount of energy could be public and civic buildings have a particular them (as it has stated it hopes to do) the UK
saved simply by applying energy efficient responsibility to demonstrate commitment to government must rely on gaining the support
technologies and practices. Yet, despite the energy efficiency and act as an exemplar for all and co-operation of every type of emission
proven cost-effectiveness of these technologies, UK buildings. emitter, from public to domestic buildings.
a large proportion of potential energy efficiency These types of buildings also tend to be Highlighting the financial benefits that are
improvements remain untapped due to open long hours and therefore have associated with energy efficient products is one
numerous market barriers – including lack of considerable lighting requirements. way to ensure that everyone works towards the
knowledge about available options. Out of all the lighting options the biggest same goals – even if their motivation varies.
Polluting emissions come from a variety of consumer is the fluorescent tube. Technological advancements like energy
sources, and while lighting may not be the first Commercial offices and public sector buildings efficient lighting provide common benefits
offender that comes to mind, the conclusion of account for 43% of the electricity used for across every sector, and therefore are
a study from the International Energy Agency lighting; and here, fluorescents dominate. welcomed onto the market by all.
204
See inside back cover for Reader Enquiry Card or go online: www.adfonline.eu
31
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44