Lighting
The role of lighting in energy effi cient buildings
The latest research from the Investment Property Forum (IPF) examines the cost of energy effi ciency improvements in existing commercial property.
H
ere, leading independent UK lighting manufacturer Tamlite Lighting takes a closer look at the report and its implications for the industry. The report, titled ‘Costing Energy Effi ciency Improvements in Existing Commercial Property’, assesses a range of discrete and combined pack- ages of improvement measures for their impact on Energy Performance Certifi cate (EPC) ratings, energy use, carbon emissions and cost. These as- sessments take into account changes in the EPC modelling method that took place in June 2022, which could result in a change (downgrade) in EPC rating for some buildings. Meanwhile, the Minimum Energy Effi ciency Standard (MEES) regulations for commercial property are set to tighten: Commercial property landlords have until 2028 to improve the EPC of their assets to a C rating, with a minimum EPC of B required by 2030.
In the 81-page report, the IPF concludes that lighting upgrades “should always be considered in a package of improvement measures” for enhancing energy effi ciency in commercial build- ings.
Improvement options for complying with EPC post-2022
Previously, if buildings were aiming for an EPC rating of C, changing the lighting (from T5 to LED) would be a relatively cheap option and could, in many scenarios, achieve an EPC of C. For a B rating, a building would typically need LEDs and an air source heat pump (ASHP). Under the latest methodology, IPF’s analysis shows that to achieve an EPC B, asset owners may need to invest between £200/m² and £800/ m² on a package of the three key improvement measures - lighting, heat pumps, and ventilation. The report authors applied the seven years payback test, as defi ned in the MEES guidance, to all energy and carbon-saving packages across all building typologies. The results show that the only improvements that pay back within seven years are those that are part of a planned refurbishment scenario, and these are limited to lighting and ventilation improvements. Richard Wharrad, group manager and head of sustainability and social value at Tamlite Lighting, commented: “As a lighting manufacturer com- mitted to a more sustainable built environment,
18 | electrical wholesalerSeptember 2024
we welcome the IPF’s recognition of the role modern LED lighting systems play in delivering more energy-effi cient buildings, and the return on investment they off er.
“Commercial property landlords face con- siderable challenges as the sector transitions to net-zero carbon, with the need to adhere to regulatory compliance, and achieve a return on investment. Lighting upgrades continue to repre- sent a highly cost-eff ective strand of the solutions available for improving buildings’ EPC.” The report assesses cost scenarios across a range of building typologies where upgrades are carried out for general lighting systems that have an average lamp effi cacy of less than 60 lamp- lumens per circuit watt (60 lm/W) and that serve areas greater than 100m².
Upgrades include the replacement of existing lighting and controls with new LED luminaires delivering over 120 (lm/W), together with pres- ence detection sensors and daylight harvesting sensors to relevant spaces.
The report’s methodology
The report represents an expanded and updated version of the 2009 edition. The data-driven study was led by Currie & Brown with additional modelling support from Introba, and is based on a set of seven building typologies, now including build-to-rent and student accommodation. It re- fl ects the latest EPC methodologies and has been
expanded to refl ect the implications for net-zero carbon targets, in particular, Carbon Risk Real Es- tate Monitor (CRREM) pathways.
Richard Wharrad said: “The IPF’s new research serves as an essential resource for commercial property asset managers striving to balance the often complex and competing demands for improving property performance.” The only energy and carbon-saving improve- ment packages for buildings that pay back within seven years are those that are part of a planned refurbishment scenario, and these are limited to lighting and ventilation improvements. For most buildings, a combination package of three improvement measures - lighting, ventila- tion and heat pumps will meet the requirement of an EPC B.
Changing the heating type to direct electric or heat pumps can signifi cantly improve the EPC rating of any building, assuming it is replacing gas. This is due to the decarbonisation of the UK grid and therefore lower carbon factors for electricity.
As the carbon emissions factor for electricity will continue to fall, the impact on EPC rating will continue to favour heat electrifi cation, and by 2030 some buildings may fi nd it impossible to achieve an EPC B without electrifying heat.
Full report available at:
www.ipf.org.uk/ resourcelibrary.html
ewnews.co.uk
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