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Is remodeling the solution for reducing an office's energy consumption...and costs?  According to a study by energy efficiency company, Johnson Controls Inc.,  there are ways to save energy, and ways to "think" you're saving.  They took a look at the effect workplace comfort has on employee productivity and energy conservation.

"Employers may be tempted to turn down the thermostats this fall, but this quick fix could lead to hidden costs," said Clay Nesler, Johnson Controls' vice president. "Energy efficient systems and equipment is the win-win alternative, allowing businesses to save energy and money without sacrificing workplace productivity."

• 69% of the 800 US office workers surveyed for the study said they are "willing to sacrifice" their preferred ideal temperature on the job if that helps conserve energy.
  
• 45% said they think their employers are not doing enough to make their offices more energy efficient.
• 78% of workers said their productivity falls when they feel too cold or too hot at the office
• 98% said their offices are too hot or too cold at some point.

Solutions to Workplace Comfort

The study found that as a result

• 49% said they use a fan when they feel too hot,
  
• 28%  use a space heater
• 30% said they leave their office building to warm up or cool down by taking a walk.
• 41% report their discomfort to an office manager or facilities worker
• 69% try to remedy the situation by adding or removing a layer of clothing.

The findings provide further insight into employee behavior and workplace conditions.

I love light, as we all do.  But balancing cost of good lighting with quality is a design challenge.  Retrofitting lighting systems can save significantly on office or manufacturing facility energy costs.  Here are six lighting retrofits that community colleges in California have been implementing to save on their energy costs ... and their environmental impact.

New Generation 25 Watt T8 Lamps
The Philips Energy Advantage 25 watt T8 fluorescent lamps were tested at an elementary school in San Diego CA.  They showed that the 25W lamps saved as much as 7W per bulb, but some application limitations were noted, such as a warm up period was required for full lighting, they are not recommended with occupancy sensors or dimmin ballasts, and they have a higher per bulb cost than 3100 lumen T8 bulbs. 

T5 or T8 High Bay Lighting in Gyms and Open Areas
According to Bright Ideas Lighting Company, "Many people are strongly pushing 4 lamp T5 highbays to replace typical 400 watt metal halide fixtures.    While I think this is not a bad option, in many cases the high bay T8 6 lamp fixture is a better option. Despite the long life rating claims for T5s we are seeing a surprisingly high rate of failures.  We seem to be changing a lot of T5 ballasts in areas where they are less than 2 years old."
 
LED Exit Signs
There are no simpler applications of savings in 24/7 lighting products that will save you money for energy and maintenance than LED exit signs!  Illuminated exit signs are an important and legally required safety feature in your facility. In the case of an emergency such as a fire, their operation is critical in protecting the well being of your congregation's members. By design, exit signs operate 24 hours per day, and can consume large amounts of energy to operate.

Many exit signs in today's buildings use older, incandescent and fluorescent/compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) technology. To make matters worse, many older exit signs require frequent maintenance due to the short life span of the lamps that light them. For example, many older exit signs consume over 350 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and cost $28 each annually to operate.

Recent advances in LED lighting technology have allowed exit sign manufacturers to develop signs that harness the advantages of this technology at competitive costs. In addition, exit signs are easy to install, if you can install a light switch or electrical receptacle you can install an exit sign. ENERGY STAR labeled LED exit signs use approximately 44 kWh of
electricity annually to operate. Low energy use not only means less pollution but also lower electricity bills as a LED exit sign usually costs less than $4 annually to operate. labeled LED exit signs use approximately 44 kWh of electricity annually to operate.  

Bi-level Stairwell Lighting

The Bi-Level Smart Stairwell Luminaire meets lighting and safety code requirements for occupied interior stairwells, while saving energy by sensing occupancy at every fixture and drastically reducing the lighting level during the many hours when no one is present. The fixture is practical for both new and retrofit applications, and it can also be used in other low-occupancy locations such as break rooms and hallways.

This luminaire operates at two lighting levels. It maintains a low light level when the space is unoccupied and quickly switches to full light output when occupancy is detected. These integrated controls, coupled with a high-efficiency electronic ballast, reduce system operation and maintenance costs and extend lamp life.

These bi-level lighting solutions save up to 70% energy savings over traditional products and lamps need replacing less often for additional savings in maintenance costs.

Occupancy Sensors in Classrooms, Offices, and Gyms

Occupancy sensors turn lights on when people need them in a room, and turn them off when the room is empty.  Automated sensors make up for human error or negligence in turning lights off when not needed.  Operated with infrared sensors, occupancy sensors ssave energy, are convenient, automatic lighting that can easily be retrofitted in offices, classrooms and other areas that are periodically used.

Daylighting Control
Sunshine is wonderful...in the right place at the right times.  Good controls are the design key to saving energy with daylighting "In fact, if designed correctly, daylighting control has the ability to delight occupants. By removing glare and making the amount of light flexible to meet different needs, daylight can replace a significant amount of electrical room lighting.   New retrofitting products such as solar tubes, shelves that bounce light, indirect lighting designs and blinds that direct light where you want it are just a few of the "passive" approaches to daylighting controls. 

Daylighting not only saves energy, but is being proven to improve spirits of the people in the room, raise productivity, and reduce illness and sick days.  Not bad for simple sunlight!