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Today’s energy saving lighting systems are available in a variety of light colors, fixture designs and energy savings. Cash incentives from Energy Trust of Oregon and Oregon Business Energy Tax Credits can help the payback on your investment. If major energy improvements stretch your budget, check out the Oregon Energy Loan Program from the Oregon Department of Energy. The program offers low-interest loans for energy conservation, renewable energy and other projects.
When to upgrade lighting
- You have over-lit spaces.
- You are expanding or remodeling.
- The space is between tenants.
- Lighting maintenance has increased.
- You are getting complaints about the lighting.
- Energy bills are high.
Typical measures and payback periods*
Lighting products have come a long way. Today's technology provides better light at lower wattages and improved color rendition. Here are some of the options to consider:
| T8 fluorescent lighting with electronic ballasts |
| Energy savings: |
High-performance T8 systems save 40 percent or more |
| Typical uses: |
Retrofit or replacement for T12 fixtures in offices, retail spaces, churches and classrooms |
| Benefits: |
Lower energy costs, better color rendition, no light flicker and less heat created |
| Payback: |
2-4 years |
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| Compact fluorescent lamps and fixtures |
| Energy savings: |
65 percent or more compared to incandescent |
| Typical uses: |
Task lighting, ceiling recessed fixtures, wall and ceiling mounted fixtures, track lighting |
| Benefits: |
May reduce the need for overhead lighting when used for task lighting, available in numerous styles and sizes, creates less heat, color is close to that of incandescent lamps and reduces maintenance costs with a product life 10 times greater than incandescents |
| Payback: |
1 to 3 years |
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| High-intensity discharge lamps (HID) — Pulse-start or Ceramic metal halide (primarily a new construction choice) |
| Energy savings: |
15 percent when chosen over probe-start lamps, more when used with electronic ballasts |
| Typical uses: |
Indoor high celing spaces such as warehouses, retail and factories, outdoor arenas, streets, and parking lots |
| Benefits: |
Produces more lumens per watt of electrcity, better light output over time, lasts longer than probe-start lamps, less color shifting, longer life and reduced maintenance |
| Payback: |
1 to 2 years when chosen over probe-start lamps |
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| High-bay fluorescent T8 or T5HO |
| Energy savings: |
Up to 50 percent over metal halide and high pressure sodium lamps; more when used with occupancy sensors |
| Typical uses: | Indoor high ceiling spaces such as factories and warehouses, big box retail, gymnasiums and outdoor arenas |
| Benefits: | Produces more lumens per watt of electricity, excellent light output over time, long lamp life, and ability to use controls |
| Payback: | 3 to 5 years |
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| Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting — Colors |
| Energy savings: | Up to 90 percent over incandescent |
| Typical uses: |
Indoor and outdoor signage, decorative, landscaping, traffic signals, exit signs |
| Benefits: |
Last up to 10 years; reduced maintenance |
| Payback: |
2 to 5 years |
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| Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting — High brightness white light |
| Energy savings: |
Varies — often 25 percent or more |
| Typical uses: |
Recessed cans, refrigerated display cases, track lighting, elevators, and outdoor lighting. Rapidly developing technology. |
| Benefits: |
Last up to 50,000 hours; reduced maintenance; no mercury; no Infrared or Ultraviolet |
| Payback: |
4 years or more |
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| Lighting controls — Daylighting with sensors |
| Energy savings: |
Varies — often 25 percent or more |
| Typical uses: |
Office buildings, warehouses, retail stores, and schools |
| Benefits: |
Less use of electric lighting when sensor controls are installed; daylighting can have numerous non-energy benefits as well. |
| Payback: |
3 to 5 years |
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| Lighting controls — Occupancy sensors |
| Energy savings: |
Varies — often 25 percent or more |
| Typical uses: |
Office areas, such as conference rooms, private and open offices; churches, schools, and warehouses |
| Benefits: |
Minimizes electrical load and reduces peak demand; can be inexpensive to install; range of technologies readily available, such as:
- Switch plate sensors — infrared and/or ultrasonic sensors replace standard on/off wall switches in smaller rooms
- Ceiling or high wall-mounted sensors — infrared and/or ultrasonic sensors can control larger open areas
- Fixture-mounted sensors — infrared sensors installed on high-bay fixtures control each fixture independently
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| Payback: |
2 to 5 years |
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| Outdoor lighting controls — Timers and photosensors |
| Energy savings: |
Varies — up to 50 percent in some cases |
| Typical uses: |
Used with predictable lighting usage applications such as street and area lighting, signage; night scene settings |
| Benefits: |
Minimizes electrical load and reduces peak demand; can be inexpensive to install; range of technologies readily available, such as:
- Time-based — switches lights on and off based on preset schedule; astronomical time clocks automatically adjust based on length of day throughout the year
- Light-based (photosensors) — respond to preset light levels and can be combined with timers
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| Payback: |
2 to 5 years |
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*Your actual results will vary based on energy use and energy efficiency measures.
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