It is estimated that lighting now accounts for as much as 20% of the UK's energy consumption, and roughly 30% of a commercial property's overall running costs.
From these statistics it's not hard to deduce that lighting is becoming a more significant part of the overall building services equation.

Part of the rise in lighting costs can be explained by the migration to a 24/7 society, whereby buildings are being used and illuminated around the clock. In addition a move towards flexible working has also contributed to a rise in the length of time spent in office environments. Not only has the demand for lighting increased, but the sophistication and complexity of systems is changing. New types of working regimes are being introduced that are testing the capability of current lighting techniques, that now need to meet new criteria. Contact or call centres are a good example of this, where a restricted, often open-plan space, must be sub-divided to support a high density of population. In this type of environment the energy consumption is excessively high, so efficient and cost-effective lighting is crucial.

In spite of the evidence, contractors are still resistant, and to a certain extent negligent in offering the best advice to clients. The problem has become more acute in view of the Climate Change Levy introduced in April which places a further 0.43p tax on every kilowatt hour used. Unfortunately, the industry has yet to realise the cost implications of the new legislation and have been slow to pass on knowledge of the long-term benefits that energy efficient lighting can bring. To a certain extent, part of this inertia, can be explained by the initial high cost attached to the technology that is used to deliver 'green' lighting. In a competitive tender situation, it is unwise to appear too expensive and lose out to a rival. However, it is possible to overcome this obstacle, by educating the client on the clear cost advantages that can be enjoyed over a longer period of time.

From a practical standpoint, the goals of energy efficient lighting can be easily reached, as long as simple guidelines are observed. The key elements that will encourage lower energy cost can be summarised as; lower wattage, reducing 'on-time' of lighting, regular maintenance and the optimisation of natural daylight. These issues may appear obvious, but are often under estimated or ignored.

For instance reducing overall lamp wattages alone, can save at least 10% off an annual lighting bill, which can effectively nullify the increased costs associated with the effects of the Climate Change Levy. To address the problem of 'on-time' lighting, the majority of projects should involve some kind of control, timer or sensor technology. In turn, this dramatically cuts down the level of 'on-time', translating into lower operational costs. From a maintenance perspective, it is also vital to consider longevity and performance of lighting options. For instance, resistance to breakage is significant, as are the constant field conditions in which the lights operate. Of course, wherever possible, buildings should take full advantage of natural light which can be assisted with common-sense approaches such as blinds et al. All of these approaches should be combined without detrimental consequences to the attainment of high quality lighting, where glare is minimised and uniform illumination is achieved.

This group of lighting 'tactics' will go some way to promote energy efficient lighting policies, but the real stumbling block is still 'acceptance' of recommending 'green', environmentally friendly systems for future projects. If industry can embrace energy efficient systems as part of their overall philosophy, then I believe that collectively, we can make a tangible difference to the effects on the environment. Every contractor, engineer or developer should take up the gauntlet, so that 'Green light' becomes the norm, not the exception.