Saving energy and protecting the environment through a retrofit lighting program

Abstract

Lighting typically represents 40 percent of the total electrical energy consumption in commercial buildings and 9 percent of the energy consumption in industrial plants. New technological advances in the manufacture of fluorescent lamps and ballasts have made it possible to save more than 35 percent of current lighting energy. The total possible savings in the US. are estimated to be $18 billion per year [l]. These figures indicate tremendous potential both for monetary savings and reduction of pollutants in the environment. Current information indicates that few businesses are taking advantage of the new lamp and ballast technology to realize these savings. For the large chemical corporation described in this paper (referred to as the company), these possible savings are approximately $12-14 million per year. The company described has recently completed a project to retrofit the office buildings, including research and development facilities, in the corporate headquarters area with energy-saving lamps and ballasts.

Criteria for comparison of energy efficient lamps

“…It has been reported that lighting accounts for about 15 -20% of the average home's electricity consumption, whereas it represents about 40% of total electrical energy consumption in commercial buildings and about 9% of the energy consumption in industrial plants [1][2][3].…”

A Cost Effective Energy Saving of Fluorescent Lighting in Commercial Buildings

“…Records show that lighting dominates energy consumption. For instance, it consumes 40% of the total electrical energy in commercial buildings and about 9% in industrial plants [1]. In particular, fluorescent lighting (FL) consumes about 20% of total lighting consumption [2].…”