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East Midlands Energy Efficiency

Change to LED lighting technologies

Change to LED lighting technologies

Priority for Completion: Very High

A number of different recommendations in non-domestic assessments refer to improving lighting technologies.  The development of LED lighting technology has come on a long way in the last decade, rendering these other recommendations obsolete.  LED lighting is now nearly always the way to go!

There are a wide range of LED technologies available for different applications.  The savings to be enjoyed are typically high and implementations can start at low cost.  As a result, we have rated this as very high priority for completion.

What is LED lighting?

LED lighting uses electricity highly efficiently to produce light without generating as much heat as older technologies.  The lighting can be tuned to provide particular light colours and atmospheres.

A wide range of LED lights are available.  They have different appearances, colour profiles and intensity (brightness).  They also now vary considerably in efficiency.  Choosing the right light is important so don't be afraid to ask for help.  Nearly all bulb types, shapes and sizes are now available in LED forms.  This includes specialist lights for fridges, freezers, cooker hoods and the like.  You may also find that you need less light fittings to achieve the same effect.

It is always worth engaging the services of a lighting designer as part of your project.  LED lighting is often brighter than more traditional forms of lighting.  As a result, directly exchanging your current lighting for LED lighting can result in the space becoming very bright.  You may also need some alterations to your lighting circuits if you change the load too much.  This is usually only an issue on large circuits with lots of lights.

LED lights are also available with other smart controls including timers, dimmers and colour changers.  Stair and hallway lights can also be fitted with automatic dawn to dusk nightlight functions to help young children and to improve fire safety.

LED bulbs normally operate at much lower temperatures than tungsten and halogen bulbs.  This makes them less likely to burn if touched and can also reduce fire risks.

Most LED lights have a very long lifespan and will typically last many years in normal use.

Other considerations

Don't just think about changing your indoor lighting and fixed fittings.  LED lighting is available for nearly all purposes.  Changing all your lighting can offer bigger savings.

Finance is also often available for businesses and public bodies to invest in LED lighting.  A number of schemes allow the loan to be repaid from the savings made to operating costs.

Buildings with large amounts of cooling are also likely to see bigger savings from reduced cooling demand.  Buildings relying solely on electric heating might see their heating demand increase slightly during winter which may reduce the savings they realise.

Change to LED lighting technologies

Priority for Completion: Very High

A number of different recommendations in non-domestic assessments refer to improving lighting technologies.  The development of LED lighting technology has come on a long way in the last decade, rendering these other recommendations obsolete.  LED lighting is now nearly always the way to go!

There are a wide range of LED technologies available for different applications.  The savings to be enjoyed are typically high and implementations can start at low cost.  As a result, we have rated this as very high priority for completion.

What is LED lighting?

LED lighting uses electricity highly efficiently to produce light without generating as much heat as older technologies.  The lighting can be tuned to provide particular light colours and atmospheres.

A wide range of LED lights are available.  They have different appearances, colour profiles and intensity (brightness).  They also now vary considerably in efficiency.  Choosing the right light is important so don't be afraid to ask for help.  Nearly all bulb types, shapes and sizes are now available in LED forms.  This includes specialist lights for fridges, freezers, cooker hoods and the like.  You may also find that you need less light fittings to achieve the same effect.

It is always worth engaging the services of a lighting designer as part of your project.  LED lighting is often brighter than more traditional forms of lighting.  As a result, directly exchanging your current lighting for LED lighting can result in the space becoming very bright.  You may also need some alterations to your lighting circuits if you change the load too much.  This is usually only an issue on large circuits with lots of lights.

LED lights are also available with other smart controls including timers, dimmers and colour changers.  Stair and hallway lights can also be fitted with automatic dawn to dusk nightlight functions to help young children and to improve fire safety.

LED bulbs normally operate at much lower temperatures than tungsten and halogen bulbs.  This makes them less likely to burn if touched and can also reduce fire risks.

Most LED lights have a very long lifespan and will typically last many years in normal use.

Other considerations

Don't just think about changing your indoor lighting and fixed fittings.  LED lighting is available for nearly all purposes.  Changing all your lighting can offer bigger savings.

Finance is also often available for businesses and public bodies to invest in LED lighting.  A number of schemes allow the loan to be repaid from the savings made to operating costs.

Buildings with large amounts of cooling are also likely to see bigger savings from reduced cooling demand.  Buildings relying solely on electric heating might see their heating demand increase slightly during winter which may reduce the savings they realise.

Categories: DEC Recommendations, Non-Domestic EPC Recommendations