Efficiency potentials in lighting
As of 1 July 2009, the German Energy Conservation Ordinance (EnEV) requires that every non-residential building in Germany with a net floor area of more than 1,000 m² should have an energy pass. Efficiency and quality of lighting will thus also be put to the test.
Over the past 15 years, the lighting industry has developed new technologies that open up saving potentials in lighting: new installations operate twice as efficiently as old ones and consume up to 82 percent less energy – with a corresponding reduction of costs.
Modern technologies save energy
High performers in "intelligent" lighting systems includ
- long-life lamps with high luminous efficacy and good colour rendering,
- efficient luminaires with optimised optical control,
- energy-saving operating devices, such as electronic ballasts (EBs),
- modern lighting management which regulates and controls the lighting and makes optimal use of daylight.
Progress has been particularly marked in fluorescent lamp and ballast technologies. The combination of high-performance 16 mm diameter fluorescent lamps and electronic ballasts (EBs) alone cuts energy consumption by as much as 42 percent in comparison to conventional lamp and ballast systems (CBs) – and savings increase with every single step towards full lighting management.
Maximum benefit for the environment and users is achieved by harnessing daylight. Artificial lighting is activated or steplessly regulated only when the available daylight is not enough. So: less artificial lighting is used and more energy is saved.
The above savings are flanked by other advantages:
- lower maintenance costs
- low disposal costs
- better ergonomic conditions
- more security
