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When facility managers or owners are looking at how to save money or cut down on overhead, lighting is a solution that is often overlooked. But this is an unfortunate circumstance; energy efficient lighting solutions can help an organization decrease energy consumption and maintenance costs and provide better lighting. This becomes especially true in commercial, industrial, real estate, and other applications where literally thousands of bulbs are in use every single day. Let’s discuss some of the tools currently on the market that can help facility managers and owners enhance their current lighting solution and meet their consumption, maintenance, and quality goals.

Using motion and/or vacancy sensors

When it comes to residential energy use, most people seem to be somewhat conscious about how their electric bill shakes out each month. There have been marketing campaigns and government initiatives that encourage people to turn off lights not in use, unplug appliances, and a variety of other helpful tips to drive down energy consumption. But the same concepts apply to commercial, public, and private places of businesses as well.

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Motion sensors are an incredibly useful tool to use energy efficiently, by directing lights to automatically turn on or off as dictated by whether someone is in the room or not. Motion sensors (sometimes called vacancy sensors) generally use either ultrasonic or infrared technology. The first sense noise, and the second type sense heat. By properly calibrating sensors to an appropriate level, conventional and LED lighting systems can be turned on or off appropriately.

Using the sun (daylighting)

Another option for organizations and businesses to enhance their lighting solution is to take advantage of the sun. With the use of sensors to judge how much sunlight is coming in through windows and sunroofs, both conventional and LED lights can automatically adjust their output. This means decreased wattage during times of bright sun, and increased light output when it’s overcast or nighttime. Daylighting appropriately can help an organization save on costs because energy isn’t wasted on brightening otherwise well-lit spaces.

With both daylighting and motion sensors, it is important to make sure that they are installed professionally. For instance, sensors that are tripped by HVAC systems or that activate at inappropriate levels will defeat the purpose of installing them in the first place.

Upgrade your conventional lighting system to LED lighting technology

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Motion and vacancy sensors and daylighting are great ways to enhance a conventional lighting solution, but what if you could improve the underlying lighting system itself? You can! Completing an LED retrofit can help organizations improve lighting quality, decrease maintenance costs, and decrease energy consumption. Even better, LED lighting technology can be used in conjunction with smart sensors, so you’re doubling down on energy efficiency. Visit our case studies page to see recent examples of LED conversions.

Stouch Lighting can assist your organization with meeting its lighting and energy efficiency goals, whether you are interested in updating the lighting in your facility, or simply want answers to your questions. Further, if you are concerned about the costs of completing an LED retrofit, we would be happy to complete a return-on-investment calculation free of charge. Stouch Lighting also has experience with rebates and performance contracting, and other means of financial recourse for those interested in an LED retrofit. Reach out today!

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