Purchasing guidelines for lighting equipment
In many places lighting systems provide poor light and use too much electricity, but it is possible to have better lighting and also halve the power consumption by replacing old equipment.
Because lighting systems are often an investment over a 10 to 20-year horizon, they can have a significant impact on electricity bills; it is therefore important to choose an energy efficient system. If you do not wish to replace lamps and fittings, it is then a question of choosing the best light sources.
Lighting equipment purchasing requirements
Type
Power consumption(1) W/m2
Other requirements
Offices
10
(2)
Day care institutions
10
(2)
Classrooms
8
(2)
Access areas
5
(2)
Other locations
(3)
These requirements apply to lighting systems installed in normal office locations in which the fittings and lighting quality do not have to exceed official standards.
Power consumption displayed is the maximum amount permitted for energy efficient equipment. See notes for further definition.
Good advice on purchasing and operating equipment
- Carry out a thorough survey before choosing a lighting system. Involve people who will be using it and, where necessary, a lighting consultant.
- Consider whether the furniture can be arranged differently in order to make the best possible use of daylight.
- Use the Trust’s diagnostic tool that can help you assess your existing lighting and calculate the economics of installing a new system.
- Use a combination of basic lighting and individual, energy efficient, work lights.
- Choose fittings that are robust, easy to clean, well screened so that users do not see the light source, flexible and with an output that suits the room. Also, always view a sample lamp when the light fitting is switched on.
- Working lamps should be fitted with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and with electronic ballast units.
- If you choose halogen table lamps for design or size reasons, then these should be the low voltage type where the on/off switch is on the 230 volt side to avoid wasting power. The power supply should be efficient. Where the on/off switch is on the secondary side, or there is no switch at all, consumption at no-load should not exceed 1 watt.
Notes and additional information
(1) The power consumption includes the power consumed by the components controlling the lighting, and is per square metre of floor area.
(2) Must fulfil legal requirements covered by DS 700 and, where possible, the requirements for consumption specified in the Trust’s recommended lists for lighting systems, and must also have movement and daylight sensors in offices with adequate daylight.
(3) Must have daylight sensors in offices with adequate daylight so that the lighting system is adjusted in relation to the amount of natural light available. Must have movement sensors to ensure that lights are only switched on when people are in the room. Must have energy efficient fittings with an efficiency rating of at least 50%.
Page last updated 06.10.2008