Q&A
Q: How much can controls reduce LED energy use and what is their added cost?
A: We’ve seen energy savings as high as 80% but 40% is more typical. Like LED fixture pricing, the cost of lighting controls varies widely. A recent GSA vendor survey estimated the added cost to be $65 per fixture. GSA has created an payback calculator (Excel) to help estimate the added costs and savings for controls when added to an LED system.
Q: What is tuning?
A: There are two types of tuning: institutional and personal. Institutional tuning involves dimming lights to meet occupant needs and task requirements. Technicians perform institutional tuning when lights are installed; thereafter, building managers make adjustments when necessary. Some systems also offer personal tuning, so occupants have individual control over light levels. Systems that offer personal tuning are more complicated and can run into IT security issues.
Q: What is the difference between TLEDs, retrofit kits and new fixtures?
A: TLEDs are tubular LED lamps that fit into fluorescent sockets. They are the least expensive LED option but cannot be tuned unless the legacy fixture accommodates dimming. LED retrofit kits use the same housing as fluorescent fixtures but replace the lamps and lens. Installing a retrofit kit takes about 5 minutes on average and does not require a senior electrician. Retrofit kits and new fixtures are comparable in terms of performance. Both offer better light output and control than TLEDS.
Q: Can advanced lighting controls be used for demand response?
A: Yes, this is one of the potential benefits. On high demand days, you can dim lighting 30%, a change that most occupants won’t notice.
Q: Are there lighting control systems that have cleared GSA IT-Security?
A: All of the control systems tested in Fort Worth — Enlighted, Flow Lighting, Lutron, and Philips (now Signify) — have cleared GSA IT-Security for use behind the GSA firewall.
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