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ECM: Lighting

L6. Install Photo Controls for Exterior Lighting

Description

In many developments, outdoor lighting is switched on either manually when maintenance staff leave for the day, or by a clock timer. In either case, lights may be on for several hours before they are needed, particularly in the summertime, resulting in considerable energy waste. Photo controls are designed to eliminate these unnecessary hours of operation and the resulting energy waste by monitoring natural light levels and switching on lights only when natural light levels fall below a predetermined level. Photo controls can be installed on individual lamps or grouped together to control multiple lamps.

Applicability

  • Developments with exterior lighting controlled manually or by a clock timer

Considerations

  • This ECM should be considered in conjunction with the installation of high pressure sodium or metal halide lighting.
  • An experienced lighting professional should be consulted for assistance in system design.

Performance/Economics

  • HPS and metal halide lighting is twice as efficient as mercury vapor lighting, four times more efficient than halogen, and eight times more efficient than incandescent lighting.

Resources/Links

Energy Conservation for Housing – A Workbook, HUD, September 1998. Pages 7-137 through 7-139 address installing photo controls for exterior lighting.

Energy Performance Contracting for Public and Indian Housing: A Guide for Participants, HUD, February 1992. Pages 27 and 28 address lighting upgrades using performance contracting.

Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, 1999, ISBN 0-918249-38-4. Pages 180 and 181 address using lighting controls.

Lighting. Part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Consumer's Guide. Learn about lighting design, controls, types, and maintenance.

CAUTION STATEMENT

TURN OFF UTILITIES: Turn off electricity, gas, propane, and other utilities before starting repairs, cleaning, or installations to avoid accident or injury.

BE AWARE OF LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARDS: Many residences built before 1978 have paint that contains lead, which can pose a serious health hazard if paint, chips, and dust are not handled properly. See the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lead brief before disturbing painted surfaces in homes of this vintage. Follow the HUD "Lead-Safe Housing Rule" for requirements for notification, evaluation and reduction of lead-based paint hazards.

BE AWARE OF ASBESTOS HAZARDS: Homes older than 1977 may have building products that contain asbestos such as insulation, high-temperature gaskets, roofing and siding shingles, and vinyl sheet flooring. See the EPA asbestos brief before disturbing such materials.

BE AWARE OF MOLD AND MOISTURE HAZARDS: Molds can gradually destroy materials they grow on; can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people; can cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold; and can cause other serious health problems. To learn more about preventing and cleaning up mold in homes, see these mold guides and the EPA brief on What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas.