CPD 6 2014: Sustainable lighting

28 February 2014

Improvements in LED technology offer architects more ways to integrate light into their
designs. As lighting is one of the most energy-intensive elements of a building, such options
are vital
How to take this module

To take this module read the technical article below and click through to a multiple-
choice questionnaire, once taken you will receive your results and if you successfully pass
you will be issued automatically with a certificate to print for your records.
Architects in the UK have traditionally not
specified lighting, because it has been
considered part of the fit-out and has therefore
only been considered at a later stage. However,
this is changing quickly with the advent of light emitting diodes (LEDs), and architects are
starting to integrate lighting into their designs by engaging specialist lighting designers.
New forms of luminaire may also be used to illuminate existing structures.
It is increasingly important that lighting is not treated as an afterthought. The need to design
buildings that perform well against environmental ratings systems such as BREEAM has
placed greater emphasis on the operational performance of building systems. As lighting is
one of the most energy-intensive of those systems, accounting for up to 40% of energy use
in non-residential buildings, architects are advised to make lighting specification an integral
part of the design process.
Focusing on lighting design is not just a question of sustainability. The need for energy-
efficient illumination has led to the dramatic rise of LED technology, and this, in turn, has
opened up new possibilities for lighting design. While technology plays a vital role in
reducing energy consumption, the design of installations can be equally influential in
achieving these goals.
This CPD will consider the key considerations for lighting design in energy-efficient
buildings and the opportunities that LEDs can offer designers.
Types of light source
There are three main traditional sources of electric light filament, discharge and
fluorescent. Their key characteristics are outlined in this section, alongside those of more
recent LED technology.
The comparative effectiveness and efficiency of these light sources can be assessed in terms
of five key criteria:
Colour temperature This is measured in kelvin (K). Temperatures of more than
5,000K are cool colours (such as bluish white), while lower temperatures (2,700-
3,000K) are warm colours (yellowish white to orange)
Colour rendering index (Ra) This is a measure, on a scale of one to 100, of how
faithfully a light source renders the colours of objects in comparison with a natural
source 100 on the scale equates to sunlight.
Efficiency This is expressed in terms of the lumens of light produced for every watt of
energy consumed (lm/W)
Design life The approximate number of hours of operation
Dimming This is best expre-ssed as a yes or no answer, but there may be exceptions.
Filament
The filament lamp is an incandescent light source, and its main advantage is an excellent Ra
of 100. Tungsten filament is the chosen option for most museums and galleries around the
world, as it allows artefacts to be displayed in a setting akin to natural light. At just 12-
14lm/W, it is an inefficient source, and it has a rated life of just 1,000-2,000 hours.
Discharge
The first gas discharge lamps were sodium street lamps, developed in the 1930s. Low-
pressure sodium lighting is still an efficient option, but gives poor colour rendering. Other
gas discharge options, such as metal halide lamps, have been developed to provide better
colour rendering, white light and long life. Ceramic metal halide, for example, has an Ra of
85, which is perfectly acceptable for a retail environment, and 90% of high street shops use
it for their accent lighting. At 90lm/W, these lamps are eight times more efficient than a
standard tungsten lamp and have a durability of 14,000 hours almost four years in a retail
environment.
Fluorescent
The traditional fluorescent lamp achieves good colour rendering and can exceed 100lm/W
for efficiency in some lamp types. With up to 20,000 hours of life, it is the lamp of choice in
schools and offices, where uniform lighting is paramount. As a light source, it is inexpensive.
LED
LED technology is developing at a rapid rate. The main technological innovation over recent
years has been the development of warm colour temperature white light, which can closely
mimic tungsten halogen light sources. It is clear that, due to ever-stricter energy
regulations, the efficiency and long life of LEDs will eventually render the other light sources
obsolete.
Specifying the correct luminaire
Many specifiers believe that all luminaires perform equally well. In reality, factors such as
reflector design, the focal point of the lamp and the quality of the materials used will lead to
significant differences. The main performance aspect to consider in a luminaire is its light
output ratio (LOR). If the luminaire has an LOR of 0.6, it means that 60% of the light produced
is being used to illuminate the required space. The rest is essentially being wasted.
For example, in the case of a low-quality acrylic downlight, it is likely that a large
percentage of the light would be lost or absorbed, giving an LOR of potentially only 0.4.
Therefore, a greater number of fittings would be required to achieve the same light level as
a 0.8 LOR downlight, resulting in higher energy consumption. The importance of the LOR is
shown in the following light illuminance calculation for a 5m x 5m room lit with 12
downlights using 2 x 26W compact fluorescent bulbs:
Using a very efficient luminaire with an LOR of 0.74, an average illumination level of
774 lux can be achieved
Using a luminaire with an LOR of 0.39, the average illumination level falls to 484 lux
The use of the more efficient product therefore leads to a 60% increase in illuminance.
Additional benefits of LEDs
As mentioned already, the efficiency and durability of LEDs are likely to make all other light
sources obsolete. Architects should, therefore, be aware of the challenges and opportunities
that designing for LEDs presents.
Architectural lighting
LEDs bring a number of advantages to the night-time illumination of landmark buildings and
monuments. They use about 40% less energy than traditional fluorescent and metal halide
solutions, are not sensitive to low temperatures, and require very little maintenance. Red,
green, blue (RGB) luminaires are also a very effective way to create efficient colour effects.
This is because an RGB generated at source is significantly more efficient than using a colour
filter.
Efficiency through optical design
A fluorescent tube emits light across its surface and the amount of lighting provided is often
more than required. With LEDs, the light source is a much smaller point, so better optical
control is achieved. This is not only more efficient but offers greater precision for lighting
design.
New forms of luminaire
The comparatively small size of LEDs has allowed manufacturers to introduce compact
luminaires. With these, architects and lighting designers are able to illuminate a project
without the luminaires themselves creating an unwelcome visual impact on the ceiling and
walls. By considering such luminaires earlier in the design process, architects can completely
integrate lighting into the structure.
Street and urban lighting
For street and urban lighting the switch to LEDs has meant a major rethink in lighting
design, energy management and maintenance regimes. This has led to lower lifetime costs,
reduced traffic congestion (because there is less need for disruptive maintenance) and
reduced light pollution. It has also allowed for better lighting control, the ability to dim
lighting without colour shift, and a move away from coloured street lighting. Many public
authorities are now making the switch to LED for streets and urban areas.
Postscript:
0 Follow @bdonline 31.6K f ollowers
Novamed Hospital, Zagreb, by architect Studio Ante Murales and lighting
designers Dean Skira and Maja Lipovcic.
Lighting control systems
Once a light source and luminaire type has been chosen, specifiers must also consider
lighting control systems, which are becoming an increasingly important aspect of energy-
efficient design, particularly on large projects.
The main elements of a lighting control system are presence detectors, scene setting,
daylight linking, timed programmes, maintenance and failure detection, and the means of
integration with other systems such as air conditioning and blind controls.
International lighting protocols such as DALI or DMX ensure that luminaires and control
systems are always compatible, regardless of supplier. If all of the above factors are
incorporated, lighting control systems can achieve significant energy savings
This module is sponsored by iGuzzini. For more information
www.iGuzzini.co.uk
info@iGuzzini.co.uk
Twitter @iGuzziniUK
Pinterest.com/iGuzzini
BDs free continuing professional development distance learning programme is open to
everyone who wants to develop and improve their professional knowledge. These
modules can contribute to your annual CPD ctivity and help you maintain membership of
professional institutions and bodies.
This module will contribute 1 hour towards your CPD obligations. If successfully
completed, certificates will be distributed two weeks after the module closes.
Duration: 1 hour
Module 6 Deadline: 11 April 2014

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