Work Smarter: Five Reasons You Need a Lighting Assessment for Your Office SpaceBuilding owners and operators are becoming more aware than ever of the impact lighting can have on energy costs and the ways it can contribute to savings. In fact, research shows a little attention to office lighting design can go a long way in making a workspace function better, feel more comfortable and invite collaboration among colleagues, helping to create a more productive atmosphere.

But what is the “right” lighting design for your office space? While there is no singular solution, a professional lighting assessment can examine your current system and identify other lighting technologies that can work smarter for you.

1. Energy and cost savings await

The cost of energy consumption continues to be a chief concern for managers of facilities from small offices to large skyscrapers. According to a report published by the Building Owners and Operating Managers Association (BOMA), utility expenses have grown 9 cents per square foot during the last 14 years, and this upward trend doesn’t appear to be tapering.

A lighting assessment can help you compare energy usage rates and explore more efficient alternatives to your property’s existing technologies—indoors and out . Jo-Ann Stores, the nation’s largest fabric and craft retailer, reduced lighting costs in its headquarters’ 777,000-square-foot parking lot by $28,000 a year with GE’s outdoor LED lighting fixtures. LED lighting

While the 200-watt LED fixtures generate less light than previous HID units, their advanced optics direct it more efficiently.

technology incorporates innovative optics to aim light where it’s needed, allowing LED lighting fixtures using 200 watts or fewer to do the work of traditional 400- and 1,000-watt high intensity discharge (HID) systems.

In addition to energy savings, rebates on LED lighting help reduce costs. While requirements vary based on local programs, many lighting professionals are willing to work closely with building owners to help identify eligibility and discover these additional savings.

Consider these five reasons to request a professional lighting assessment:

2. Stricter efficiency standards

Even if utility bills aren’t enough to drive facility managers toward more energy-efficient lighting technologies, emerging building codes are. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, energy consumption in buildings accounts for two-thirds of the total electricity demand in the United States. To address and reduce this demand, federal, state and local governments have established codes requiring more energy-efficient practices

in both existing buildings and new construction. With its “Title 24” building energy-efficiency standards, California is the first state to enact a major energy-efficiency program that includes mandatory lighting requirements. It certainly won’t be the last.

Building owners and property managers may be surprised to learn from a lighting audit that their offices are over-lit . The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America recommends a 30–50 foot-candle (fc) range for ambient (general) office lighting, yet the average workspace is lit to 60 fc.

Over-lighting can mean higher energy costs for companies. The solution may lie in a layered lighting design. The California Lighting Technology Center and the California Energy Commission PIER Program has found that utilizing low-energy-consumption, LED-based localized task lighting as the primary layer of light in offices resulted in a 50-percent savings in lighting energy usage and immeasurable user satisfaction—evidencing the extent to which a simple lighting design change can make a significant difference.

4. Maintenance costs

Replacing current lamps with long-life energy-efficient lamps can mean less time, attention and money spent on lighting upkeep. These maintenance savings are particularly attractive when it comes to replacing difficult-to-access lamps. With fewer maintenance responsibilities, employees can focus on their tasks at hand—not climbing ladders.

Legacy linear lighting systems can provide dramatic savings by reducing energy use a few watts per fixture.

3. Good lighting makes a great impression

A professional lighting assessment can help identify where installing new fixtures or relamping may reduce maintenance costs over time. In thousands of office buildings across America, building managers fail to realize that reducing energy use just a few watts per fixture can add up to dramatic savings, particularly with legacy linear fluorescent lighting systems. MetLife’s St . Louis administrative center uses a more efficient T8 lamp and ballast system that saves it upwards of $200,000 in annual costs and reduces interruptions due to more maintenance required from T12 fixtures.

LED-based localized task lighting provides savings in energy usage and user satisfaction.

Where to start

The decision to rethink lighting design is seldom as simple as “swapping one fixture for another.” A comprehensive lighting assessment considers all goals for your facility, including long-term business and energy-efficiency targets as well as the functionality of existing lamps and fixtures. When you call on GE, we will assess your current lighting, compare the

performance of various technologies and demonstrate the benefits of specific products. We will provide a detailed proposal that helps you visualize your investment and learn how lighting can contribute to your bottom line.

Schedule a free lighting assessment

Want to learn more about a GE Lighting audit? Contact a GE Lighting specialist for details or visit gelighting.com/office.

5. Greater efficiency is here to stay

Leading the charge for large corporations to small businesses, facility managers are making environmental considerations a priority now more than ever. Goals and practices aimed at cultivating a more efficient workplace are not just a passing trend—they are fast becoming part of the culture of companies

and how their leaders run and grow their businesses. Efficient, well-designed lighting is an important piece of this picture. A thorough assessment is a first step toward realizing how seemingly simple changes can have a lasting impact.

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