ENERGY MANAGEMENT & SUSTAINABILITY A BRIGHT IDEA
Tomorrow’s FM speaks to Chris Anderson, Technical Manager at Ansell Lighting, about the many benefits of smart lighting technology.
Accounting for almost 40% of all energy used in commercial buildings in the UK, lighting is a significant source of energy consumption and overhead expenditure for organisations. Presenting facilities managers with an incomparable solution to optimise and reduce these figures, smart lighting technology promises substantial savings.
With the pursuit of sustainability, efficient energy management and the achievement of net zero at the top of the agenda for most organisations, discovering and implementing effective energy-use solutions has unsurprisingly become central to the role of a facilities manager.
Amid the wide number of areas to contemplate sits lighting; a fundamental factor that, given it accounts for up to 40% of energy consumption in commercial buildings, has a significant impact on both operational efficiency and environmental footprint.
Offering a real solution to this challenge is smart lighting. The technology has the potential to reduce lighting energy use by up to two thirds, transforming energy efficiency and reducing operating costs. It is also easily monitored, measured and controlled, providing facilities managers with an exact and comprehensive toolset for energy management.
But what is smart lighting and how
does it work? Smart lighting is an advanced lighting system where wireless technology is integrated into each fitting enabling seamless connectivity and control across the entire lighting system. With every single detail of lighting programmed and automated, it can support facilities managers to ensure that energy is used only where and when it is needed. From the timings of operation to the colour, brightness and intensity of output, smart technology allows every individual light fitting to be programmed and control to the most minute detail, meaning that energy use is controlled to this exact level too.
Easy to configure and adjust, smart lighting is highly functional, enabling different ‘scenes’ or combinations of lamps to be used according to desired requirements. The technology is also applicable to exterior lighting and is particularly effective where spaces are being used sporadically. Here, fittings with motion or presence/ absence detection sensors can be seamlessly integrated into smart lighting systems, enhancing functionality further in areas where lighting needs are more responsive. The technology eliminates any reliance on human intervention, making issues such as accidentally leaving lighting switched on, a thing of the past.
Controlled via remote control, app, voice or ecosystems such as Hey Google or Amazon Alexa, smart lighting
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systems are incredibly easy to operate. They also provide real benefits when it comes to measuring and monitoring energy use. Controls such as dashboard monitors provide a visual display of a building’s lighting system in real time and can be used to monitor usage and identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary wastage. They can also be used to carry out maintenance testing. Instigating tests automatically and wirelessly, they can highlight remotely whether an individual luminaire or driver is operating outside of expected operational parameters streamlining facilities management processes.
Despite it being an advanced technology, another major benefit of smart lighting is that it is incredibly easy to fit and install, causing minimal disruption. Operating wirelessly via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, systems are controlled and hosted on the cloud, so there is no hub or wiring required and most units are simply installed like a lamp or switch. These user-friendly interfaces and intuitive installation processes ensure that businesses can seamlessly transition to smart lighting without significant downtime, making it an ideal option for a wide range of settings.
Smart lighting is an exceptional technology and its many benefits are clear to see. Ideal for organisations seeking to improve sustainability and maximise energy efficiency, it can support facilities managers to navigate the complexities of sustainability and energy management with precision and effectiveness.
https://ansell-lighting.com/en
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