In a smart building, lighting plays an important role. Lighting can be so expensive that some people don’t have enough money to pay the electric bill every month. In some rural areas, they have no choice but to rely on their solar power system to save electricity bills. The more a person uses a normal light bulb at home, the more money they spend.
With a smart building lighting system, it is possible to save on energy costs by using LED lights. Shopping and comparing Gexa Energy plans based on your office’s unique consumption profile is also one of the most effective ways to save money on energy expenditures beyond installing smart building lighting. Therefore, the best benefit that people can get from using smart building lighting is energy efficiency.
How does smart building lighting system work?
A smart building lighting system has a controller unit that controls the number of light bulbs in its surroundings when it gets dark outside. The controller will throttle down the intensity of light depending on how much is needed to ease their way around when dark. Smart building controllers can even detect motion in the hallways and corridors.
People with smart lighting systems do not need to worry about switching on and off light bulbs. Instead, they need to keep the controller unit on all day and night. As such, they can leave their house or office without turning off the lights.
How Smart Building Lighting Improves the Efficiency and Security of Offices
One of the ways of increasing efficiency is through occupancy-sensitive lighting control, which allows lights to be turned off in unoccupied spaces, for instance, when the workers leave at the end of the day or on weekends when offices are not open. This simple step can result in massive energy savings.
Another option is daylight harvesting, which can save lighting costs by automatically dimming or switching off outdoor lights when the sun rises. The most advanced systems are combined with motion sensors so that when people enter a room, the lights turn on and remain at whatever level was left, even if it is bright outside.
These energy-efficient strategies are good for the environment and save companies money that can be reinvested into their operations or paid out to shareholders through higher dividends.
What are the benefits of smart building lighting compared to conventional lightning?
- LED bulbs have a longer life span than traditional incandescent or CFL bulbs. LEDs are long-lasting and can clock up to 50,000 hours, while incandescent, on the other hand, only last for around 1,000 hours.
- LED bulbs use much less energy than traditional lights. The bulbs use just 10% of the energy used by conventional lights while producing a similar amount of light output. As a result, LEDs can help companies save up a lot of money over time compared to traditional lighting.
- LED bulbs produce less heat, thus translating to lower cooling costs in buildings, especially during summer. As such, you won’t need an air conditioning unit if LED lights are in the building.
What are some of the applications of smart building lighting?
Smart building lighting fits in many places. They are usually used to light up buildings, parking lots, parking structures, billboards, sports stadiums, and even installations for concerts or festivals. In addition, several other appliances use these lights. The best example is a Christmas tree which comprises LED lights.
Smart building lighting is also used in homes, especially when you want to impress your guests. The lights are programmable by the use of a smartphone application so that they can display different colors and patterns for different occasions or just everyday use. You can even connect them to a computer or other automation equipment so that the lighting can have automatic control.
A good example is when you are looking for parking at night. This smart building lighting makes it easier to find empty spots since there is no need to turn on your high beams anymore. Parking lots with this kind of lighting also look more attractive.
One can use smart building lighting outdoors, even during the day. The lights have a more natural look considering the traditional lighting, which emits a very bright light that makes it easier for people to see things at night. Using LED bulbs also helps you save on energy since there is no need to turn on your high beams when you are driving at night.
Types of smart building lighting?
The two most common types of smart building lighting are led flood lights and LED Strip Lights for home use. Floodlights emit more light than the usual spotlights, while LED Strip Lights are very popular at parties where you want to highlight an area or create a cool ambiance.
LED Strip lights come in different sizes and colors, thus allowing you to create various effects. You can even program it using your computer or smartphone to emit different colors and patterns.
The thing with led strip lighting is that you will need an inverter to power up the light. Inverters are important for this type of lighting since it helps stabilize the current output. Without an inverter, led strip lights are likely to burn out after some time.
For floodlights, you can use solar panels or batteries for power supply. Solar panels are ideal for saving energy since there is no need to power up the light using electricity from the grid. Moreover, you only need to let the solar panels absorb sunlight during the daytime, and your smart building lighting is good to go.
Final Submission
A lighting system defines the characteristics of any building. It can determine how safe the structure is, the overall cost for running it, and how effective it keeps occupants comfortable.
Advancements in lighting technologies and techniques have allowed today’s building owners to take control of their lights and save energy in the process. Using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and motion sensors, buildings can light up only when needed.
Smart buildings leverage data and digital technology to obtain energy efficiency, improve operations, enhance the user experience, and derive value from big data.