14 minute read
Lighting Renovation Turns On Energy Savings
plumbing pipes, which can become hot enough to cause burns. The available styles in bathroom sinks have never been greater. Pay close attention to the depth and width of bathroom sinks to get the best solution for the users’ particular abilities. Determine the overall height of the cabinet(s) that will hold the sinks. It may vary based on whether the lavatory is installed under the countertop or sits on top. 8. Hand showers. Adding a handshower to the showering space provides fl exibility for users of various heights and abilities. Some newer products, such as Kohler, WI-based Kohler’s HydroRail shower column, allow an easy retrofi t as well as the option to increase the height of the showerhead. For remodel projects of even large-scale facilities, these columns will save time and materials because of their front-of-wall installation. 9. Bath tubs. The luxury of a deep, soaking bath is something that we may take for granted, but common mobility limitations can make it impossible. Key concerns in bathing are a safe transfer and comfortable bathing position. Numerous options from add-on chairs or seating platforms to fl at, slip-resistant surfaces are helpful but can still limit a bather’s experience.
Some new products in the marketplace, however, include features that enhance the experience. For example, the Elevance walk-in bath by Kohler features a wide opening, chairheight transfer, and a wall that rises and lowers at a touch. Such tubs provide easy entry and exit that it is literally like transferring to a chair.
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Inside the tub, the necessary controls are within easy reach of the bather. The tub fi lls and drains quickly, preventing the chill so often associated with older-style accessible tubs. The bather is able to sit in a semireclined position and enjoy the benefi ts of a deep soak and hydromassage. The seat height allows a caregiver to easily assist a bather from a standing position. Some of these tubs fi t the 60-inch by 30-inch footprint of the most common tub sizes, which makes adding one to an existing bathroom relatively easy. They are a great way to upgrade existing spaces or meet specifi cations for a new senior-living project. 10. Passageways. Older construction is notorious for narrow doorways and diffi cult-tonavigate passageways. While adjusting doorways
and halls to accommodate a wheelchair and its
60-inch turning radius requires a major remodel,
this is one of the most critical changes for safety
and ease of use. It is also benefi cial to contractors
and installers transporting furniture or replacing
fi xtures and appliances. Consider the number and
variety of people—facility residents, caregivers,
nurses, and family members—
Consider the variety
using the doors and halls every day. The most common
scenarios for each space will
and number of people using a facility’s
help determine the ideal width and location of doorways.
11. Visual signals.
Provide contrast with changes
of colors or materials that
doorways and hallways every day.
grab attention and make the transition from room to room or from inside to outside safer. Color contrast is one of
the easiest updates to make.
FOR LOWER CONSTRUCTION COSTS
ON YOUR LARGE-SCALE PROJECT
METALLIC BUILDING COMPANY gives you a clear choice for controlling costs on your large-scale project. Plan for a band of contrasting color at the edge of a transition in a fl oor. For stairways, include lighting that fully and evenly illuminates the steps. New technology offers options for placing LED lighting in a fl oor or in steps themselves. The same principle applies to countertop edges. A contrasting detail at the edge lets users confi dently set objects down because they can see exactly where the edge is located. 12. Electronic controls. No article on designing for accessibility would be complete without mentioning the latest technology offerings. Digital controls are easier to use than turning a faucet on and off. Products such as Kohler’s DTV Prompt digital showering system place all controls in one easy-to-use touch-screen interface.
Incorporating technology that enhances a user’s experience while eliminating diffi cult knobs, controls, or movements is key to any accessible space. With the ability to preset water temperatures and provide a variety of bathing experiences, these technologies are great time savers and an easy way to upgrade a space and differentiate a facility in the marketplace.
As our abilities change, our living spaces must as well. In order to enjoy a space, we must feel empowered, independent, and safe. Designing accessible spaces for everyday use by people of all levels of ability is much less diffi cult if a designer keeps that in mind and approaches each of their needs thoughtfully.
Our patented Long Bay ® System (LBS) requires zero on-site welding and half the bridging of conventional buildings.
Proven overall in-place construction cost savings from: o Reduced foundation costs o Ease of erection o Consistent pricing o Predictable delivery (6-8 weeks is common) Diana Schrage, CAPS, CAASH, is an interior designer at the Kohler Design Center, Kohler, WI.
for free information, CIRCLE 6
metallic.com/longbay 800-755-7339
To get more information, a quote or an actual sample of our Long Bay ® System, email us at longbay@metallic.com or call today. Mike Betz, our Long Bay ®
and visit our digital magazine at www.cbpmagazine.com/digital/sep2012 and click on the icon.
Lighting Renovation Turns On Energy Savings
New lighting technologies mean that lighting upgrades made even fi ve years ago are no longer state of the art.
Doug Baillie, NEMA enLIGHTen America Task Force
Contractors, architects, and engineers have cents, which reduce energy use as much as 75% come to accept it. There will never be relief and last 10,000 hours; and LED lamps that cut from the pressure to reduce operating energy use by as much as 80% and last 25,000 costs, save energy, improve sustainability, and hours. Some compact-fl uorescent and LED lamps achieve fast payback on investments in comare dimmable. mercial buildings. All are permanent forces at The traditional light sources for commerwork in the commercial-building market, and cial settings are HID and fl uorescent lamps. skilled managers must find ways to use them These are still valid light sources and will remain to their professional and personal advantage. so for years to come. Induction lamps have alLighting, as noted by Stephen Chu, U.S. ways been an interesting option due to their low Secretary of Energy, is still the low-hanging fruit energy use and long life, and LED technology is of energy savings. All four key components of a rapidly gaining ground for all types of applicalighting system—lamps/light sources, luminaires tions. Here is a quick overview of the four light (fi xtures), ballasts, and controls—are rapidly sources: improving technologies that those in commercial Fluorescent lighting, in commercial construction can use to their advantage. Most use since the mid-‘40s, is inherently energy savAmerican buildings still have old and outdated ing. Millions of fl uorescent lamps are in offi ces, lighting systems, but even if a lighting system stores, schools, warehouses, and factories. The was renovated fi ve years obsolete T12 magnetic o ago, there is still great systems have been res opportunity to upgrade The enLIGHTen placed with longer-life T5 p the system and save more money. Mission and T8 high-effi ciency electronic systems, but a e Contractors, architects, and engineers have a variety of resources for T he enLIGHTen America campaign is chartered by the Lighting Division of there are still millions of T12 lamps in place wasting a great deal t o w evaluating and executthe National Electrical Manufacturers of precious energy reo ing lighting-renovation Association, Rosslyn, VA. The strategic sources. Changing out s projects, including lighting designers, interior mission is to build awareness of quality T12 systems should be a top priority in any comT t designers, energy-service lighting products and systems designed for mercial building. m companies, and electriretrofi t and renovation applications. High-intensity cal distributors. The More than 75% of America’s 5 million discharge lamps d are scope of a lighting-renspecifi ed for a wide s ovation project should buildings were built prior to the introducvariety of indoor and v drive the decision on tion of today’s energy-effi cient lighting outdoor applications. o whom to use for profestechnologies. The EA message focuses There is a great deal of T sional advice. Rebates, incentives, and support on energy savings, sustainability, cost new HID technology, such as high-effi ciency n s are also widely available reduction, fast payback, and the quality of ceramic metal-halide c (see sidebar on page 19), modern lighting. For more information, visit pulse-start lamps, and p and project payback is www.nemasavesenergy.org. HIDs offer a range of H often 6 to 12 months. colors from warm to c In any case, the bright white. Consider b result will involve at least HIDs for high-bay fi xH one of the four product tures, retail lighting, t components of a lighting façade lighting, and f system. This lightingoutdoor area lighting. o products overview will allow decision-makers They deliver as much as 120 lumens/W, and to ask better questions, understand options, and over time the lamps maintain brightness well. achieve the most cost-effective lighting renovaTheir useful life ranges between 10,000 and tion for a commercial building. 30,000 hours. LEDs, which are rapidly gaining ground Lamps and LEDs due to low energy use, reliability, long life, and Incandescent lamps, including the common controllability, are a new replacement-light 60-W bulb, are being phased out over the next source for ordinary light bulbs, offi ce lighting, few years due to federal energy legislation. Reand high- and low-bay lighting in factories and placement options for 40/60/75/100-W incandeswarehouses. LEDs are also popular for downcent lamps include halogen lamps, which reduce lights, spotlights, façade lights, and garage lights. energy use by 28% to 30%, are fully dimmable, They feature 90 to 100 lumens/W with life typiand last about 1,000 hours; compact fl uorescally ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 hours. The
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Renovated lighting in a warehouse cuts costs by reducing energy use (inset shows original lighting). It also means warehouse workers can fi nd the right products more easily and quickly, creating additional savings by increasing productivity.
A lighting renovation in an offi ce is less dramatic in appearance, but it still eliminates shadows and the cave effect. Less subtle, however, are the energy savings: as much as 80%, depending on the lighting system chosen.
The New York Lighting-Renovation Mandate
In 2010, the New York City Council passed major legislation to improve the energy effi ciency of existing buildings. Four bills, known as the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan, create a New York City Energy Conservation Code. The legislation addresses the fact that 80% of New York’s carbon footprint is from its one million buildings. Lighting consumes 18% of NYC’s energy.
The law requires buildings larger than 50,000 sq. ft. to meet current energy codes by 2025. However, commercial-building managers should move quickly and renovate now. Energy savings will be realized sooner than later, tax deductions may expire, and complying with the codes may become more costly by 2025. More information can be found at www.nemasavesenergy.org and www.conedci.com.
Commercial-building managers outside of New York should be aware that other
states and municipalities are studying the NYC law and may adopt part or all of it in the future.
initial cost for LED lighting is typically higher, so it is important to look at the total cost of ownership: They provide signifi cant energy and maintenance costs.
Induction lamps are most often used in outdoor applications. With stable color, they offer low lumen loss over 50,000 to 100,000 hours of life, low maintenance costs, and 70 lumens/W.
Luminaires
Tens of thousands of commercial-office and retail spaces have obsolete lensed or parabolic troffers, often featuring T12 systems. New technology includes troffer relighting kits with just two T5 or T8 lamps or LEDS, which not only reduce energy consumption by 66%, but also provide quality light by eliminating the cave effect or dark shadow patterns. They deliver the ideal amount of light to walls, work surfaces, and people. Retrofit kits are easy to install, and these long-life light sources reduce maintenance costs.
T5 and T8 lamps and luminaires, along with luminaires designed for LEDs as the light source, are available for applications with low or high ceilings.
Ballasts
Lighting ballasts are a component within a luminaire, but building owners should know they play a critical role in energy effi ciency and dimming. Always make sure maintenance people replace ballasts with a model specifi ed for that fi xture, lamp, and system from a reputable manufacturer. Cheap, poorly made ballasts can ruin an entire system. High-effi ciency, NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Rosslyn, VA) Premium-identifi ed T8 ballasts should always be used with T8 lamps. When paired with fl uorescent lamps that meet new effi ciency standards from the Department of Energy, Washington, which were effective in July 2012, the combination may help a company meet building energy codes and qualify for utility rebates.
Controls
The best way to reduce energy use and cost is to reduce light levels when appropriate and to turn lights off when spaces are vacant. Lighting controls can turn lights off, dim lights to reduce watts consumed, reduce the HVAC load, and maximize use of sunlight. Depending on the space and the lamps/luminaires involved, facility managers can employ eight basic lightingcontrol strategies for commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings: • scheduling automatically turns lights off or dims them at certain times of the day • occupancy/vacancy sensors turn lights off automatically when people vacate a space • multi-level lighting/dimming provides users one or more light levels other than full-on and full-off • daylight harvesting automatically adjusts light levels based on the amount of daylight in a space • high-end trim/tuning sets target light levels at less than full-on based on occupant requirements in a space • personal light control allows users in a space to select the correct light levels for the desired task. New wireless dimming technology is particularly applicable to lighting-renovation projects. • controllable window shades let users control daylight for reduced solar heat gain and glare • demand response reduces the lighting load at times of peak electricity pricing • plug-load control automatically turns task lighting and other plug loads off when they are not needed.
Contractors, architects, and engineers should also be aware there is great opportunity
Financial Incentives And Support
Federal, state, and local tax incentives are commonly available for lighting renovation projects:
Utility rebates
www.dsireusa.org www.conedci.com
Commercial Building Tax Deduction
www.lightingtaxdeduction.org
Lighting services companies
www.nalmco.org
Energy service companies (ESCOs)
www.naesco.org
Electrical contractors
www.necany.org
National Lighting Bureau
www.nlb.org
to use lighting controls to reduce energy use and costs in stairwells and parking garages—spaces that use great amounts of light energy but are infrequently occupied.
There is no one single formula for lighting renovation in a commercial building. Responsible building managers must understand this unique opportunity and work with lighting professionals to design solutions that save maximum energy and cost while delivering the best light to the task below.
Doug Baillie held senior communications posts at Osram Sylvania (Siemens), Danvers, MA, and Acuity Brands Lighting, Conyers, GA, before retiring. He is still involved with several organizations in the lighting industry.
