Upgrading a commercial facility’s lighting controls can help increase energy efficiency and decrease monthly bills. But before moving on, property and facility managers should analyze their current system by addressing these questions.
- How is your current system programmed to work?
- What type of equipment is being used?
- Does the system include occupancy sensors?
- What is the time sequence for the various parts of the lighting system?
- How do lighting controls interact with and impact other building systems, such as HVAC and security?
Next it’s important to determine the goals you are trying to achieve with a new system.
- Do you want just basic automation and code compliance?
- Do you need to be able to fine-tune the system?
- How will tenants interact with the lighting system: will it be centralized or not?
- What functions do you need for the facility team, such as ease of changing schedules, remote capabilities, etc.?
Other Considerations to Determine Your Lighting Controls Upgrades
While upgrading lighting controls may seem like a daunting task, there is a tremendous upside, specifically energy savings. The upgrades could even qualify your facility for an energy rebate. But where do you begin? Consider the following:
- Common Interface: How easily can the various lighting schedules be tied into a common interface? This will be much efficient than needing multiple interfaces. The more user-friendly, the better.
- Remote Access: Will your facility manager be able to access lighting controls remotely to make changes? Remote access is key to smoothly operating the lighting system.
- Serviceability: What can the facility manager handle and what needs to be outsourced?
- Installation and Management: Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. (CFSI) can help!
By thinking through your needs and goals upfront for a new lighting control system, you’ll save time and costs later on and minimize risk.
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Sources:
Lighting Controls: Planning a Lighting Controls Upgrade, FacilitiesNet.com