Choosing a Lighting Contractor
Back in the “old” days when you had a choice of incandescent or mercury vapor, when you needed light, you would just call an electrician. Technological advances and the cost of energy have changed this simple solution. The days of just screwing in a new light bulb are over, now you have to have knowledge.
The most common mistake (17 Common Lighting Mistakes), is picking the wrong contractor. There are key factors in maximizing energy savings and what separates the rookies from the pros is knowledge. If you want to find out how knowledgeable a lighting contractor is, just ask these simple questions. (There should be a very quick answer for all of them, you will find out if your contractor knows lighting and energy costs.)
Simple test for your lighting contractor
|
Question |
Why This Is Important |
|
Do you use photometric testing to predict light levels? |
This is the best way to maximize savings and adjust the light to the task |
|
Do your light levels follow ANSI/IESNA recommended practice? |
This will maximize your energy savings and many times it is code |
|
Is anybody in your company Lighting Certified? |
If they are not lighting certified, how do they know anything about lighting? |
|
Do you change out all lamp holders? |
When changing a ballast, you must change the lampholders to meet UL 1598 standard |
|
If you really want to be tough, ask this: What is the recommended practice for office lighting that uses task lights? |
It can be as low as 5 foot-candles. All you need is enough for safe passage, because you should have all the light you need on your desktop from your task light |
This is why EPL is the best in the industry:
- Over 50 years of energy efficient lighting design experience
- Over 80 years of lighting/electrical installation experience
- Member of Association of Energy Engineers
- Certified Lighting Efficiency Professional
- National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Profession
- Lighting Certified
- Exam Committee – Energy Efficiency Upgrade Advisor & Roadway Lighting
- Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)-Sustaining Member
- Member Visual Efficiency Committee
- Chair Energy Management Lighting Upgrade Subcommittee
- Member Dark Sky Association