Large Office Building

Challenge:

The customer desired to reduce their carbon footprint but thought they already had energy efficient T8 lights. Upon reviewing the 285,000 sq ft building, it was found the light levels were too high for the computer intensive tasks performed in it. The lighting was originally designed for a paper based task so much higher light levels were needed at that time. In addition the traditional 2x4 fixtures were inefficient and the air return was through the fixtures into the plenum making it an expensive proposition to replace.

Solution:

Energy Performance Lighting (EPL) designed a retrofit kit to fit in the door with a radial lens to increase fixture efficiency and preserve the vents for the air return to the plenum. This lowered new costs by 30%. The occupants had task lights in their cubes, so we lowered ambient light levels to 15 fc. To compensate for the lower light levels, we installed an 8000k light source which increases visual acuity and helps with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the winter months. Then to maximize energy savings, occupancy sensors were installed by zone. EPL was recognized for their energy savings on this project by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).