How to Save on Your Business's Energy Costs With Smart Lighting Systems

Introduction

Reducing energy costs is a top priority for many businesses. Lighting can account for up to 40% of a company's electricity usage, so upgrading to smart lighting systems can lead to significant savings. As the business owner, I've done my research and made the switch to intelligent lighting. Here's my guide on how smart lighting systems help cut costs and improve my bottom line.

Understanding Smart Lighting Technology

Smart lighting refers to lighting systems that are digitally controlled and automated. They incorporate:

• LED bulbs - These bulbs use up to 90% less energy and last years longer than traditional incandescents.

• Occupancy sensors - These detect motion and adjust lights accordingly. Lights turn off when a room is empty.

• Daylight harvesting - Outdoor light levels are monitored and indoor lights dimmed to take advantage of natural light.

• Smart controls - These enable remote control of lighting via smartphones, tablets, and computers. Lights can be scheduled, dimmed, etc.

By combining these elements, smart lighting systems create the right light, where and when it's needed. Automation and remote control lets me optimize lighting use for maximum energy and cost savings.

Conducting an Audit of My Current Lighting System

Before upgrading, I took stock of my existing lighting to identify priorities and savings opportunities:

• Inventory - I catalogued all light bulbs and fixtures room-by-room and assessed their efficiency. Incandescents offered the biggest chance to cut energy use.

• Usage patterns - I observed how each space was utilized and made notes on occupancy and daylight availability throughout work hours. This showed where motion controls and daylight harvesting could be beneficial.

• Cost analysis - I pulled last year's electric bills to analyze how much lighting contributed to my costs. This created a baseline for measuring savings from an upgrade.

• Priorities - I identified my most energy-intensive spaces that would benefit the most from improved lighting technology.

Choosing the Right Smart Lighting System

With my audit complete, I researched different smart lighting solutions. Important factors included:

• Light quality - I wanted bright, comfortable and natural lighting for employees. LEDs offer excellent light quality and long life.

• Control capabilities - My system needed to incorporate occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting, and scheduling/dimming through a central dashboard.

• Flexibility - I required solutions that could be customized for each space and integrated with my existing wiring.

• Budget - Upgrading everything at once was unrealistic, so I opted for a system I could implement in stages. Rebates and tax incentives also helped manage costs.

• Smart bulb vs. fixture - I weighed pros and cons of both approaches and ultimately chose LED fixtures with embedded controls.

Implementing the New Smart Lighting System

With a solution chosen, I took the following steps to rollout my new smart lighting:

• Staged implementation - I prioritized high-traffic spaces first, then addressed secondary areas in phases. This kept install costs manageable.

• Retrofitting fixtures - My contractor installed new LED fixtures and lighting controls, integrating them with my existing electrical system.

• Networking and software - All devices were networked and connected to a centralized dashboard I access online or via mobile app. This is where I control settings.

• Commissioning and testing - We thoroughly tested the new components and software, adjusting them as needed to meet my requirements. I verified that the system delivered stipulated energy savings.

• User education - I trained staff on how to use the new programmable switches, app controls, and web dashboard. Proper usage was essential to maximize savings.

Quantifying the Benefits and Return on Investment

It's been 18 months since I installed smart lighting, and the energy and cost reductions have exceeded expectations:

• Over 50% cut in lighting energy use - By replacing inefficient bulbs with LEDs and using controls, my lighting electricity needs were more than halved.

• $1200 annual savings - With reduced wattage and operating hours, I'm saving around $100 per month on electricity compared to before the upgrade.

• 2.5 year payback period - At this rate, the investment will pay for itself in under 3 years. After that, it will provide ongoing savings.

• Improved light quality - The LEDs deliver excellent illumination and color rendering. Employees report the lighting is comfortable and productivity-enhancing.

• Enhanced control and automation - With smart centralized controls, I can easily adjust lighting schedules and dimming as needs change.

Upgrading to intelligent, high-efficiency lighting was a very beneficial investment for my business. The energy savings continue to boost my bottom line each month. I'm glad I took the time to properly evaluate solutions and implement the system for maximum impact. The results speak for themselves - smart lighting delivers significant rewards.