These are the primary motivators for using lighting controls, as lighting systems account for an ever greater percentage of total energy usage. Currently, almost half of an average building’s energy usage comes from lighting. Next to heating and air conditioning systems, lighting systems account for the greatest energy consumption and costs.

To reduce the economic burden on homeoverners and commercial enterprises, and stem the increasing strain of spiraling energy usage on a national electric grid, lighting controls are becoming a standard design practice. In 2002, the federal government adopted mandatory lighting control provisions developed by ASHRAE as the standard with which state energy codes must comply.

The fact is, lighting controls work effectively, making their usage common practice in today’s world.

• Energy Savings - More than 30%, reducing building operating costs by 10% or more
• Convenience - Transparent operation requiring little or no adjustment and no disruption to homeowners and building occupants while operating; added convenience of automatic
  controls for homeowners, building occupants and facility management personnel
• Flexibility - Accommodates changes in space configuration, schedules, and activities
• Information - Identification of energy usage data, facilitating the ability to divide overhead costs if necessary and as appropriate, pinpoint energy usage for management
• Productivity - Increased employee productivity as a result of optimal lighting; and for homeowners, the elimination of repeatedly turning off lights that others have left on
• Safety & Security - Ensures operation of critical lighting for occupant safety, including continuous operation of emergency lighting and exit signage, and effective lighting of exterior parking facilities, walkways, or tunnels
• Sustainable Building Practice - Enhances energy-efficient building performance for sustainability programs (i.e., LEED)

Control technologies, on the other hand, usually refer to the type of device that will be used to carry out a specific strategy and what method the device will use to operate (passive infrared, ultrasonic or dual technology sensors, timers, daylighting controllers or lighting control panels).

Occupancy-based Control
Switching lighting off and on in response to the occupancy of a particular space is not dependent on time intervals or scheduled periods, but responds to the individual usage of a controlled space.

Vacancy-based Control
Switching lighting off in response to a space becoming vacant is not dependent on time intervals or scheduled periods, but responds to the individual usage of a controlled space. This kind of device is currently most often used to meet California’s Title 24 requiremnts for residential buildings.

Scheduled Control
Managing lighting according to time schedules based on when buildings are open/occupied and closed/unoccupied.

Load Shedding
Reducing a facility’s lighting load to achieve an overall reduction in demand, usually at peak usage times, such as midday

Daylighting Control
Adjusting the output of electric lighting in a daylit area adjacent to a window or skylight via a photosensor that detects light levels in the space (can be ON/OFF or dimming control)

Dimming Control
Adjusting lighting levels to achieve desired lighting effects or appropriate light levels for different occupant activities