Energy Efficiency in Illumination (Lighting)

Abstract

Lighting has an important place in electricity consumption. Lighting systems are the biggest energy consumption source after heating-cooling systems. In general, 20% of the electrical energy consumed in industrial enterprises, 30% in shops, and approximately 40% in offices are used for lighting purposes. These figures clearly show the necessity of economical solutions in lighting systems. Significant energy savings can be achieved by using effective light sources and efficient luminaires in lighting. However, an uncontrolled system, which means a lighting system that does not have the ability to provide lighting where and when necessary, is not suitable for today's economic and technological conditions.Energy savings in lighting can be achieved by using high-efficiency light sources instead of low-efficiency light sources by taking some simple measures. The important thing here is to give the necessary importance to the issue. Some of these measures can be given as examples as follows: high-efficiency ones should be preferred while buying lamps, lamp selections should be made according to the highest lumen/watt ratio (efficiency factor), unused areas should not be illuminated, use of daylight as much as possible. Periodic maintenance of lighting fixtures should be done because dirty and dusty fixtures absorb some of the light, causing inefficient lighting, the lamplight output should be used efficiently. One of the most important factors affecting the efficiency of the lighting system is that the maximum light output of the lamp reaches the surfaces that need to be illuminated. Controlling illumination by timers, photocells, or proximity sensors is important for energy savings, wall, ceiling, and decoration materials should be chosen as light color as possible. In areas where more light is needed, using a single high-power lamp instead of many low-power lamps provides more efficient lighting, care should be taken to use small powerful bulbs in staircase lighting. Decorative lamps send the light in undesirable directions. Light-colored, transparent shade lampshades transmit light better. Lights should be turned off when leaving the room. A table lamp should be used while working or studying. To avoid energy loss, LEDs or fluorescent lamps should be used instead of halogen and normal bulbs. Thus, significant energy savings can be achieved.Using compact fluorescent lamps instead of incandescent lamps saves energy up to 75–80%. If high-pressure sodium vapor lamps are used instead of high-pressure mercury vapor lamps in road lighting, approximately 55–60% saving is achieved at the same illuminance level. If low-pressure sodium vapor lamps are preferred instead of high-pressure mercury vapor lamps in garden and environmental lighting, approximately 65–70% energy savings can be achieved at the same level of illumination.