Lighting

 

FACT Lighting uses up one quarter of all energy used worldwide.
FACT Levels of fluorescent lighting in buildings can be sufficient to raise blood pressure by about 8 points. This adds to staff stress levels and increased worker errors.
FACT A low energy bulb uses 60% less energy than a regular bulb
FACT High frequency fluorescent lighting eliminates hum and flicker and can reduce electricity consumption by between 30 and 60%.

Lighting can account for 50% of the money spent on your electricity bill.  Are you using too much?

 

Are you lighting empty rooms?

 

Staff should turn off lights when they leave a room and when they go home at night.

 

Do not light, unused, locked areas unnecessarily.

 

Switch off

 

A fluorescent tube uses up 500 times more energy running for 15 minutes than it takes to switch it off and on.  Switch it off if it is not needed.

 

Too Bright or Unneeded?

 

You may be able to reduce lighting in places like corridors.  One way to do this is to remove tubes from alternate light fittings.

 

Do not block the light

 

People often prefer to work in natural light.  Are your windows regularly cleaned?  And your light fittings?

 

High Ceilings?

 

Are you sure you are using the correct type of light for the height of your room? 

 

Outside Lighting

 

You only need to use this when it is dark.  Is yours or some other offices on at other times? 

 

If you do need to have outside lights on at night then fit timelocks with photocells to cut costs or fit movement sensors to security lighting.

 

Have you thought about your outside and overnight lighting's effect on those around you?

 

Extraneous light has a detrimental impact on the environment and inefficient lighting systems waste energy.  In 2003 the Scottish Executive committed to reducing light pollution by specifying appropriate lighting standards in the “Guidance Note on Controlling Light Pollution and Reducing Lighting Energy Consumption”.  Have you checked your current lighting levels against these guidelines?

 

If you design, install or maintain lights you should be clear on what is now required of you. 

 

For further information contact Waste Services (tel: 01595 744800, email waste@shetland.gov.uk ).

 

Light bulbs

 

Some light bulbs are more efficient than others and can reduce your energy bills.

 

Slim line (26mm) fluorescent tubes use 8% less electricity and are cheaper than the older 38 mm tubes.

 

Wherever possible use long life, low energy bulbs.  Do not just replace like with like; replace with a more energy efficient model.

 

 

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